8 ways for women to live their healthiest lives

In our society, women often care for everyone else – parents, spouses, children – first and neglect themselves. Looking after yourself isn’t selfish – it’s the best way to keep on doing what you do for those around you.

Take a moment for yourself and check out our list of tips that will help you be your healthiest.

1. Understand recommended cancer screenings for your age.

Breast, skin, lung and gynecologic cancers are some of most common types affecting women, and regular screening can help catch the disease when it’s most treatable. Learn more about screening services at the UK Markey Cancer Center.

2. Get the HPV vaccine.

If you’re 26 or younger, ask your doctor about getting an HPV vaccine, which protects against the types of human papillomavirus that most typically cause cervical cancer.

3. Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.

Smoking is a major risk factor for cancer and heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in America. Here are some tips to kick your habit and some strategies for avoiding secondhand smoke.

4. Listen to your heart.

Women’s hearts are different from men’s in certain ways, which can affect the way women develop heart disease and experience heart attacks. For resources from the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Health Program, click here.

5. Protect your skin by using sunscreen and avoiding indoor tanning.

Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds can cause melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. And when you step out in the sun, here are some tips for protecting your skin.

6. Stay active.

Regular exercise, along with a healthy diet, can lower your risk for several types of cancer and reduce your risk for heart disease. Being overweight can increase your risk of a heart attack and other heart complications.

7. Think about your mental health, too.

Some mental illnesses are more common in women or affect women in different ways than men. Conditions such as anxiety, eating disorders and postpartum depression can significantly impact your life. Simple things like staying in touch with family and friends, exercising, and getting good sleep can boost your mental health. If you’re unable to shake your symptoms or they keep coming back, talk with your doctor.

8. Be a role model for health.

Make sure you’re setting good examples for the girls and young women in your life. Practice healthy eating habits at home and encourage exercise. Encourage the teenage girls in your life to get the HPV vaccination. And for teenage girls especially, emotional support is important. Be available to talk with young women in your life who may be experiencing increased anxiety or depression as they undergo a time of physical and personal growth.