Be Your Very Own Superwoman

As a woman, we can have multiple identities at a time – a sister, a daughter, a wife, a mother or a friend to others. No matter what your identity is, you should always put yourself as the main priority in life. This doesn’t mean you need to neglect others but simply keep yourself in check and stay healthy physically and mentally. By doing so only then you can take care of others. 

Since young, we were taught by our Asian parents to always strive for success. But do you know that being successful also requires something to sacrifice in return? Typically, burning the midnight oil, unhealthy eating habits, lack of sleep or exercise can be detrimental to our long-term health.

It’s good to have goals to be more successful but never let that sacrifice your health as a result. Most of the time, no amount of money and success can buy the good health that you once had. Take charge of your health by making conscious efforts that benefit your health to avoid potential chronic illnesses and age gracefully inside and out.

Steps Towards Being Empowered

Being a successful woman isn’t restricted to being a superwoman in the workplace. On a contrary to society’s beliefs, being a successful woman means the ability to choose what is best for herself, whether is her health, the type of lifestyle or the person she is inspired to be.

If you are clueless about how you can work towards being the superwoman of your life, here are some good lifestyle habits that you can implement in your life!

#1 Book Health Screening Appointments

If you have been consistently going for check-ups annually, pat yourself on the back. For the rest who haven’t, what are you waiting for? In fact, more than 85% of the population think that they need an annual checkup but only 50% of the population, or lower did[1].

You shouldn’t be waiting to see the doctor until the moment you are not feeling well. It is probably a little late to address some health issues by then. Other than taking your age, family medical history background, and lifestyle, as the motivation to do a screen test, you should be doing a general test annually or every few years, unless advised by the doctor.

For the ladies, here is a basic guideline on what tests you should be considering:

• Pap smear for cervical cancer screening
• Mammogram for breast cancer screening
• Blood pressure test
• Blood tests
• Urinalysis
• Bone Density test

Understandably, it can be a little overwhelming to go through many tests, but they are essential to detect potential health concerns. By knowing your health well, only you can proactively take measures at an earlier stage and be empowered to make decisions concerning your health and lifestyle[2].

#2 Be Physically Active

Most of us are probably aware that being physically active always results in positive benefits such as having healthier blood pressure and cholesterol levels and lowering risks of chronic illnesses like heart attacks, diabetes and dementia[3]. Additionally, it also helps women who are experiencing menopause to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and moodiness[4]. 

Furthermore, 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise is good enough to improve sleep, boost energy levels, keep a healthy body weight and manage unhealthy food cravings. Easier said than done, right? But don’t give up just yet. Keep trying various types of exercise till you find the one that you enjoy doing. Also, set goals and simply use a fitness tracker to keep track of your progress.

Physical activity as simple as walking is also a good way to get your heart pumping. However, most working adults have sedentary jobs that require them to sit most of the day. Make a conscious effort to integrate walking into your daily life by taking the stairs or using public transportation to increase your daily steps. Additionally, it is highly recommended for women to practice pilates as it focuses on flexibility, increasing muscle strength, toning as well as improving overall posture.

#3 Make Sleep Your Top Priority

The high demands of modern lifestyles make it increasingly harder for women to get a good night’s sleep. But there’s something you should keep in mind is that your to-do list isn’t nearly as important as the health benefits that quality sleep can provide you.

Good quality sleep is crucial to support the body’s optimum functioning since they are restorative for the mind and body alike. These include staying productive, keeping your emotions stable, having a sharper mind as well as protecting your long-term health. Women who don’t have enough sleep usually struggle with weight control, memory loss as well as an increased risk of developing heart disease[5].

Cultivate a good sleeping habit by avoiding any electronic devices for at least 1 hour before bedtime. Try journaling to release any thoughts or stress that may be weighing you down as well. Alternatively, take supplements that contain magnesium, chamomile extract, glycine, rice germ extract, Vitamin B and more to increase sleep quality.

#4 Treat Yourself

When was the last time you’ve given yourself a long break or treated yourself to something nice? Perhaps take this time to pause and reflect if you have given yourself enough credit for the hard work over these years. Kudos to you if you have been consistently treating yourself because this is considered a sign of self-love.

It is the norm for people to reward others but the act of rewarding yourself is still considered underrated. An important thing to note is that self-rewarding can be a powerful form of celebrating success, no matter how big or small they are. In fact, they are an important tool to push you further by keeping you motivated, encouraging resilience, and avoiding burnout[6].

How people reward themselves varies from one another. It can come in the form of taking a break from a hectic schedule, booking a dream holiday, booking a massage, or buying something you’ve been eyeing for some time. Remember, self-rewarding doesn’t require lavish spending, rather it is the quality experience that satisfies us.

Not to forget, eating food that gives nutrition to our body is also an act of self-love. If you wish to improve your health further, invest in supplements to further provide the nutrition that you are lacking in your diets, especially for women. Some recommendations to boost women’s health include probiotics with added cranberry juice to prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), women's multivitamins and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide to boost NAD+ levels to boost cell renewal, thus maintain vitality.

Don’t let busyness or ignorant be an excuse for neglecting your health. Be that strong and inspiring woman by laying a strong health foundation for your own sake for a healthy and fulfilling life.

[1] https://aradamansaramedicalcentre.com/blog-content/how-often-should-you-get-a-medical-checkup

[2] https://www.pantai.com.my/health-pulse/women-health-screening-tests

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6481017/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6722698/

[5] https://www.webmd.com/diet/sleep-and-weight-loss

[6] https://www.success.com/how-to-reward-yourself/