6 steps women should take to prioritize their health
It’s been a stressful year. Today is a great time to pay attention to your care.
Many women have spent more than a year managing additional stress and forced lifestyle changes brought on by the pandemic. As a result, ongoing healthcare needs may have fallen by the wayside.
If you’ve found that to be true for yourself or the women in your life, today is a great time to change that around.
“Women are great at caring for others, but may tend to overlook their own needs,” says Nathan Amrine, MD, an OB-GYN for PeaceHealth in Vancouver, Wash. “Making your own healthcare a priority is one of the best things you can do for others. Not only is it a great way of modeling good self-care for your children or partner, but it also ensures that your physical and mental well-being is being maintained.”
What to prioritize
Below are six important steps every woman should take to prioritize their health.
- Schedule annual primary care and OB-GYN appointments
- Schedule overdue breast, cervical, and colorectal screenings
- Be vigilant with breast and skin self-exams
- Prioritize getting eight hours of sleep each night
- Carve out time to practice self-care, including mindfulness practices
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day
Scheduling your visit
If you’re due for your annual checkup or screenings, you can schedule any virtual or in-person appointments needed by:
- Calling your doctor or local clinic to speak with a scheduling assistant.
- Making an appointment online for visits with a provider you’ve seen before (using My PeaceHealth).
- Registering for a My PeaceHealth account to get access to online scheduling.
