Some women are completely obsessed with their health and their body, others just aren’t. In fact, it’s safe to say that the majority are not. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of not having (or making) the time to care for ourselves. And, some women simply don’t know what is good for them and what is not. Personally, I believe that it’s about balance and not perfection. If we live by this principle, most things we do are acceptable for creating a healthful lifestyle. There are, however, a few things that can mess up women’s health. Here are 3 ways we may be missing the mark.
Women’s Health: Ways We May Be Missing the Mark #1: Drinking Too Much Wine
It is not a myth that many women love having a glass of wine whenever the opportunity arises. And, though, there is nothing wrong with this, drinking too much wine can create some health challenges. For example, it can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, and can lead to alcohol addiction. Though it’s not the worst alcohol for your body since certain wines have health benefits, it is still alcohol. If you must drink it, however, choose varieties of red wine that contain antioxidants, quercetin, and resveratrol. Always drink responsibly and know your limits.
Women’s Health: Ways We May Be Missing the Mark #2: Frequent Poor Food Choices
I am a believer that it’s not what you do occasionally that harms you, it’s what you do every day. So, it’s frequently eating poor quality foods that are high in saturated fats and sugars that can cause heart, liver, kidney, and stomach issues that can be life-threatening. In fact, 44 million women in the U.S. alone are affected by cardiovascular disease each year. Most heart specialists will look at the diet as a potential cause of heart issues among other things.
Simple changes in the daily diet can help to reduce the risk of developing most diseases. Pay attention to how much of each type of food you’re eating. Cutting back on red meat, processed sugar, and poor quality fats can bring you to a new level of health fairly quickly. As well as reducing some foods, add others that bring a high level of nutrition. These include fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats.
Women’s Health: Ways We May Be Missing the Mark #3: Ignoring Mental Health
It can be much easier to deal with physical health issues than mental or emotional problems. Because of the stigma surrounding mental health, many women choose to ignore signs that something may be wrong. Embarrassment, loss time at work and lack of options may be among the most common reasons for not attending to proper mental health care. The problem with leaving mental health issues go is that, like physical conditions, they can get really bad if left untreated. Depression, anxiety, and other more serious mental health problems affect more women than you may think. According to Mental Health America, a whopping 12 million women experience clinical depression each year in the U.S. This is not counting all the other conditions and the cases that never get reported.