While standard advice like regular exercise and a balanced diet is well-known, women of any age should also consider lesser-known wellness approaches. You know your body best, understanding and nourishing it to best optimize natural patterns and bodily systems will have long-lasting positive impacts. Not sure where to start? Here are five health tips that can help get you on the right path.
Cycle Syncing
Menstrual cycles, while a very regular and expected part of being a woman, is often a taboo topic. Having a deep understanding of how to align your cycle with your lifestyle can profoundly impact your energy levels, productivity, stress levels, sleep, and how you feel. Research or talk to a professional about cycle syncing and how to adhere to certain lifestyles during the four-cycle phases – learn to adjust your diet, rely on exercise and various intensities of body movement, plan for certain behaviors or bodily changes, and focus on specific tasks during different phases.
A Healthy Gut
It can be easy to only focus on the physical appearance of how healthy you are. Stay strong and focused from within by prioritizing food selections. Gut health is commonly linked to many other ailments and helps with better moods and increased immunity. Be mindful of what you cook and what ingredients you put into your body. Want to enhance energy, reduce anxiety, or improve hormonal balance? Consider munching on meals or snacks rich in probiotics and prebiotics.
It goes without saying, water intake is just as important as what you eat. If you find you aren’t drinking enough H2O, find ways to make it fun and accessible. Leave a bottle next to your bed to drink first thing in the morning, find a fun reusable bottle to carry around, or infuse water with natural flavors like cucumbers, mint, lemon, or berries.
Attitude Check – Check in with Your Nervous System
Having big feelings and not sure why? Check in with yourself. Set and bring a positive attitude to your daily life by deciding each morning to see goodness throughout the day. Life is full of ups and downs, even through the tough moments your mindset can have a huge impact on your life and those around you. If you are feeling anxious or uneasy, be mindful of what your body needs more of – movement, nature, time for rest and recovery, patience, and empathy. At the same time, you’ll need less caffeine or excessive alcohol, negative self-talk, poor eating choices, or mindless tasks.
Decrease Stress Through Mindfulness
Stress can very easily fuel your body, and not in a good way. It can hinder your body’s natural rhythm, patterns, energy, and cycle. Too much stress can send off warnings and throw your body off balance. Acute or chronic stressors can both impact your body negatively. Consider addressing stressors or triggers by regularly meditating. Frequent mindfulness, guided meditations, or breathing exercises can help reset external factors by reducing anxiety, enhancing emotional resilience, and improving focus.
Strength Training
Exercise of any kind is important for women of all ages. It is especially critical to focus on building strength. Cardio only is a common misconception. Don’t skimp on strength training either – it builds and maintains muscle, which is vital for bone density and preventing brittleness later in life.
Small, regular changes can lead to big results. By incorporating these five tips into your lifestyle, you’re taking steps towards being a healthier, happier woman. Create a holistic approach to wellness that addresses all around well-being.