Celebrate Women’s Health and Fitness Day!
The Oily Home Companion
Today, we’re joining many organizations around the country to promote physical activity and to spread awareness of women’s health concerns!
Did you know women are at a higher risk for heart disease, depression, anxiety, and bone loss problems? Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle is key to decreasing health risks, but there are also a few habits you can implement today to target these specific health concerns.
Heart Health
Promote heart health and reduce risk of stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol with these simple tips:
Eat more plants. A plant-rich diet will give your body the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs to protect the heart from disease. As a great women’s supplement, we love Young Living’s CardioGize. CardioGize also features astragalus, dong quai, motherwort, and hawthorn berry—all used traditionally for cardiovascular support—making it a great addition to the daily herbal supplements in your routine.
Limit red meat. Red meat, including beef and pork, contains higher amounts of saturated fat, which can lead to heart disease. Instead, choose chicken, turkey, fish, and plant proteins.
Choose healthy fats. Fats from fish and plant sources, like avocado and nuts, can increase your good cholesterol and help protect the heart. We also love Young Living’s OmegaGize - perfect for getting that healthy Omega-3 and CoQ10 into your diet.
Exercise. Your heart is a muscle. When you exercise, you increase blood flow through your body, which strengthens the heart muscle. Have a hard time finding time to exercise? Read our blog about 3 easy ways to work out anywhere, anytime!
Reduce stress. Too much stress can lead to high blood pressure, which can lead to further complications with the heart.
Depression and Anxiety
There are many factors that can lead to depression and anxiety, including genetics, trauma, financial instability, loss, and stress. While we cannot always control these factors, we can improve how to prevent and deal with the stressors in our lives.
Take care of yourself. Stressors affect us most when we are vulnerable. If you’re eating well, keeping your body strong, and getting plenty of sleep every night, your body will be less vulnerable and may be able to handle stress in a better way.
Set boundaries and rest. If you’re working 80 hours each week, or are in relationships that are demanding all of your energy and time, it’s time to set boundaries. An overworked brain will not be stable, so take a step back and create necessary boundaries to let your body rest and re-fuel. Diffuse, or apply topically, oils like Lavender Essential Oil and Stress Away Essential Oil Blend as part of your relaxation routine.
Exercise. When you exercise and move your body, you release endorphins that can improve your mood, which will help alleviate stress and help prevent depression. Breathe Again and Peppermint Essential Oils are some of our FAVORITES for pre-workout.
Bone Loss
Our bones are constantly breaking down and reforming, in order to stay strong. As we age, total bone mass stops increasing and the breakdown of bone happens more quickly than the buildup of new bone. Osteoporosis (weakened bones) and osteoarthritis (cartilage breakdown) can be the result of this bone loss. Because of menopause, women are more susceptible to bone loss than men, which puts women at higher risk for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
While we may not be able to increase our bone mass once it has stopped increasing, there are things we can all do to strengthen our bones and help prevent these diseases.
Eat an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D. Sources of calcium include dairy products, dark leafy greens, tofu/tempeh, and seaweed. Our major source of vitamin D is from the sun, but you can also get it from fatty fish and fortified products. Young Living’s Super Cal Plus is one of our favorite supplements!
Increase weight-bearing exercise, like weight training, hiking, cycling, and climbing stairs. The weight and resistance will not only strengthen your muscles, which will support your bones, but will also strengthen the bones themselves.
Prevent falls. If you’re prone to falling, you’re at a higher risk of breaking bones, and broken bones have a harder time rebuilding into strong, healthy bones. Strengthen your core, improve your balance, and be cautious with difficult movement.
Women’s health is much more complex than these four issues. However, as you take these steps to reduce your risk of heart disease, depression, anxiety, and bone loss, you’ll be building a strong foundation for your overall health. There are many FANTASTIC Young Living supplements that support women’s health. Reach out today to learn more!