Self-Care for National Women's Health Week

National Women’s Health Week is one of those observances that may induce a “who cares” from many of us. But if you think about it, it’s pretty cool that a government entity, the United States Office of Women’s Health, dedicates a week each year to encourage and remind women to make a health a priority. As fierce women, we often have many different interests and responsibilities like career, family, relationships, health, and that coveted “me” time so sometimes health (unfortunately) takes a back seat. Though this week might not be heavily celebrated by the mainstream, it’s important for us Green Feminine Hygiene Queens to remind each other that our health must come first!

Women’s health care can mean a lot of different things, right? One obvious focus of Women’s Health Week is promoting well-woman exams. A “well woman” exam is a cute way of saying a gynecological check-up aka check your vagina! The reasons for getting an annual well-woman exam are numerous! For one, it’s important preventative health care. Not only does it cover a vaginal exam, but it also includes checking breasts for lumps, pap smears, contraceptive counseling, STI testing and also intimate partner violence screenings.

Our periods can be a baseline indicator of our reproductive health and sure we can take steps on our own to protect our bodies, like using all-natural hypoallergenic cotton pads and tampons each month. However, a professional opinion can give us peace of mind and ensure that the places we can’t see are looking healthy and taken care of. Most of us can’t really do our own pap smear or STI testing, so handle your biz!

Now with the Affordable Care Act, annual well woman visits are available without a co-pay so if you have insurance, there’s no excuse! If you don’t have insurance, it is still possible to have an affordable visit to the gynecologist. Planned Parenthood has a sliding scale for the uninsured and is available in many cities around the country, and various local community health clinics have cheaper out-of-pocket pricing for these visits.

The Office of Women’s Health is also encouraging women to look after their mental health which is something that can easily be dismissed or forgotten. Health doesn’t always mean going to the doctor when something is wrong, or making sure you’re exercising (though these are important). Mental health can mean taking some time away from responsibilities to do something for yourself, particularly as a way of managing stress. It can mean taking a walk, sleeping an extra hour, writing in a journal, laughing with a friend, meditating or talking to a therapist. We all have different needs in terms of our mental health, and it is something that we should take as seriously as we do our physical health. They are often connected and reflect each other!

Finally, women are encouraged to get active and eat healthy! Although it feels like, “Who has the time?” we need to make time to do it. Regular exercise and a balanced diet pays dividends and it’s a part of that self-care we just talked about. Now that the weather is improving in much of the United States, we can spend time outside both enjoying nature and getting a workout. Walking and jogging are great, especially with a friend or a group. There’s also fitness classes like Zumba, yoga or spinning. Even a 20-minute dance break around the house will do it! Farmer’s markets are back in season and they are a cheaper way to get healthy local foods while supporting your community farmers and small business owners. Everybody wins.

For more information on National Women’s Health Week, you can visit the website and they have plenty of ways to help spread the word. Us Green Feminine Hygiene Queens gotta look out for each other because we can’t be of service to our communities and the world if we are not well. This week, remind yourself and the ladies in your life that our health is true wealth!