If you are a mother reading today's column, Happy Mother's Day to you! Today is actually the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day, which began in our home state of West Virginia because a young woman named Anna Jarvis thought mothers were to be celebrated.
If you are a mother reading today's column, Happy Mother's Day to you!
Today is actually the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day, which began in our home state of West Virginia because a young woman named Anna Jarvis thought mothers were to be celebrated.
Now, if you're not a mother, please read on. Because if you're a woman, whether you are a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt or a girlfriend, this is the perfect day to celebrate you, too. Today marks the beginning of the ninth annual National Women's Health Week, which will be celebrated through Saturday.
This nationwide focus on women's health is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health and strives to empower women across the country to become proactive about their health. It also challenges women to prioritize and take simple steps toward a better life.
As an advocate of taking personal responsibility for our health, I believe this day needs greater recognition. When you consider the number of celebrations we observe that act more as detriments than benefits to good health, you understand why National Women's Health Week is one truly worth commemorating.
So I am thrilled to have an opportunity to kick off National Women's Health Week with some important information and a little female-friendly advice.
Why celebrate National Women's Health Week?
For women who spend their lives taking care of others, the week is a significant reminder to take care of themselves to live longer, healthier and happier lives. It is common to see women give care to children, spouses and parents and neglect their own health. Research has shown that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family improves. If you don't take care of yourself, you probably won't be around to take care of others. Simple steps can result in significant improvements in health and the quality of life.
How is National Women's Health Week celebrated?
During this week, families, communities, churches, businesses, government and health organizations work together to inform women of steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease.
What does National Women's Health Week encourage women to do?
Engage in physical activity most days of the week.
Make healthy food choices.
Schedule an appointment with a health-care provider within 90 days.
Receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.
Avoid risky behaviors like smoking and not wearing a seat belt.
When is National Women's Check-Up Day?
Inside of this special week, Monday has been designated as National Women's Health Check-Up Day. Participants are asked to use this day to schedule health screenings and are provided a checklist for checkups. This checklist encourages women to know the following information and offers advice as to what tests need to be scheduled:
Weight (body mass index)
Cholesterol: total, HDL (good) and LDL (bad)
Blood pressure
If you are a mother reading today's column, Happy Mother's Day to you!
Today is actually the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day, which began in our home state of West Virginia because a young woman named Anna Jarvis thought mothers were to be celebrated.
Now, if you're not a mother, please read on. Because if you're a woman, whether you are a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt or a girlfriend, this is the perfect day to celebrate you, too. Today marks the beginning of the ninth annual National Women's Health Week, which will be celebrated through Saturday.
This nationwide focus on women's health is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health and strives to empower women across the country to become proactive about their health. It also challenges women to prioritize and take simple steps toward a better life.
As an advocate of taking personal responsibility for our health, I believe this day needs greater recognition. When you consider the number of celebrations we observe that act more as detriments than benefits to good health, you understand why National Women's Health Week is one truly worth commemorating.
So I am thrilled to have an opportunity to kick off National Women's Health Week with some important information and a little female-friendly advice.
Why celebrate National Women's Health Week?
For women who spend their lives taking care of others, the week is a significant reminder to take care of themselves to live longer, healthier and happier lives. It is common to see women give care to children, spouses and parents and neglect their own health. Research has shown that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family improves. If you don't take care of yourself, you probably won't be around to take care of others. Simple steps can result in significant improvements in health and the quality of life.
How is National Women's Health Week celebrated?
During this week, families, communities, churches, businesses, government and health organizations work together to inform women of steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease.
What does National Women's Health Week encourage women to do?
Engage in physical activity most days of the week.Make healthy food choices.Schedule an appointment with a health-care provider within 90 days.Receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.Avoid risky behaviors like smoking and not wearing a seat belt.When is National Women's Check-Up Day?
Inside of this special week, Monday has been designated as National Women's Health Check-Up Day. Participants are asked to use this day to schedule health screenings and are provided a checklist for checkups. This checklist encourages women to know the following information and offers advice as to what tests need to be scheduled:
Weight (body mass index)Cholesterol: total, HDL (good) and LDL (bad)Blood pressureMammogramPap smearBone densityColorectal cancerDiabetesSexually transmitted infectionsHIV infectionImmunizationsBeing proactive about health screenings, such a
Pap smear
s and mammograms, saves lives because diseases found early are easier to treat and have a greater cure rate. Taking even one step in the right direction gives you the right to celebrate this female-friendly week. Here are some interesting ways you can be part of the week:
First, call or e-mail five female friends and encourage them to do the following along with you in observance of the week:
Take time to gather your health records to establish what screenings might be due for you.Schedule necessary appointments and record them on your calendar.Offer transportation to a girlfriend who may need a ride or just a little encouragement.Devote 30 minutes a day during National Women's Health Week to get out and walk or participate in physical activity in some way.Plan a healthy grocery shopping trip for a week's worth of healthy meals.Dedicate 10 quiet minutes a day during this coming week to de-stress and think about you.Celebrate a successful week with your best female friends and relatives.While the week can trigger healthy lifestyle habits for women, it can also send an important message to family members and friends. When a woman, who is often the primary caretaker in a family, values her life, it can have a trickledown effect and set a clear example that each of us must be accountable for our own good health.
Here's to all women ready, willing and able to be that wonderful example!
Cindy Boggs, fitness consultant, author and Activate America director, has been an ACE-certified coordinator/instructor since 1989. Send your questions about fitness, training or health to YMCA of Kanawha Valley, 100 YMCA Drive, Charleston, WV 25311, or e-mail cindys...@aol.com. Look for her fitness advice book, "CindySays You Can Find Health in Your Hectic World" on her Web site www.cindysays.com or contact the YMCA at 340-3527.
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