Living a healthy and balanced life is important for all of us. As a woman, there are a lot of physical changes that happen during our lives and these can affect our ability to stay healthy and fit. From periods to pregnancy, and the menopause: we have a lot of things thrown our way through the years.
Today we are going to take a look at some of the most important health tips every woman should take on board during their lives
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Breakfast is by far the most important meal of the day. If you are in the habit of skipping breakfast, it likely means that you are much hungrier later on in the day and this can lead to snacking and eating too much. Breakfast should ideally be the biggest meal you have in the day, and should also be full of fibre and protein. By eating a high fibre breakfast, you will curb your hunger and it will be much easier for you to stay healthy.
Catch some Z’s
Sleep is a process which is essential for the health of our body. Like a computer, the body and mind need to shut down for a period of time every day to perform background processes such as digestion, fighting infection, ridding the body of toxins, and healing muscles and skin. If we do not get enough sleep every night, it can cause us to be fatigued and weak. This is something that can be detrimental to our health and therefore it is important for us to make the effort to stay healthy all year long by getting at least 8 hours of shut-eye a night.
Know your stool
This might be a bit TMI, but it is important for you to become familiar with your poop. The colour, shape, and consistency of bowel movements can tell us a lot about our health and wellbeing. The stool should be brown, smooth, and should come out in an S shape. If it is either too hard or too runny there is an issue to be addressed, and if the colour is too light or too dark, this could be an indication of either a deficiency in the body or blood, respectively.
Work a sore back
If you have a bad back which is causing you some pain, it is important to remember that you should not lie in bed and wait for it to heal. As tempting as it may be to stay still to decrease the pain, you should actually stretch the back out and allow those muscles to lengthen and unwind. You’ll feel better much quicker and this will allow your back to become stronger and more flexible as a result.
Exercise on your period
Periods are something men will never be able to understand. The pain and discomfort we feel for a week every month as the lining of our uterus disintegrates and exits the body is unique, and the temptation to lie back and wait for the cramps to fade is incredibly fierce. However, one of the best things you can do for yourself when on your period is exercise. We don’t expect you to start running a marathon or lifting heavy weights, but some light aerobics or yoga can be helpful for the body and the mind. When you are on your period you will likely feel stressed, emotional, and suffer from pain. Exercise not only distracts you, but it will release happy hormones and improve your mood. Plus, adrenaline is a natural pain reliever!
Taste the Rainbow
As much as you might wish we are suggesting you eat more Skittles, the meaning behind this next tip is slightly healthier. You may have noticed that different foods are different colours. Berries are red and blue, citrus fruits are yellow, and greens are green. But why is this the case? Well, the colour of a fruit or food is an indication of the chemicals it contains, which usually result in the colour we see. For example, red and blue fruits contain large volumes of antioxidants. When shopping for food, it is important to buy a range of different coloured foods, because each will offer you a different set of essential nutrients that the body needs. Fill every plate with a range of colour and this can make a whole world of difference to your health and wellbeing.
Get flossing
No, not the dance… although if that’s your prerogative then go ahead: you do you. Oral health is a crucial part of our overall health, and it is also something most of us take for granted. If you want to maintain a killer smile throughout the years of your life it is incredibly important that you adopt a healthy oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes, make sure to use mouthwash once a day, and floss. Flossing is more important than you may realise as it helps to remove food and tartar from between our teeth which would otherwise cause bad breath and even gum disease. Try to floss once or twice a week for a Hollywood smile.
Take a Deep Breath
Everyone breaths all the time, every day, but when was the last time you took a belly breath and filled your lungs to capacity? Every now and again when you are tired or stressed, take a deep breath from your belly and fill your lungs entirely. This will fill the lungs with nitric oxide which is a chemical found in the back of the nose. The chemical opens up blood vessels and as a result, your body will gain a healthy dose of oxygen. Oxygen will awaken the cells of the body and also reduce stress.
Choose contraception wisely
One of the biggest and toughest decisions a woman has to make during their teens is what kind of contraception they will use. There are so many types of contraception to choose from such as the pill, injection, implant, iud contraception, and condoms. Choosing the right one for you can be a toughy but it is the most important decision you will make in your young life. Speak to family and friends and your doctor. Gather as much information as you can about contraception and make an informed decision that suits you.
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