How to be the best version of yourself - Women's Health Week 2022
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is an Australian not-for-profit organisation, and this year marks the 10th anniversary of Women’s Health Week, which is a popular campaign designed to let women know it’s okay to put themselves first and check in on their health. Women’s Health Week & Community Engagement Manager Renea Camilleri says: “It may seem absurd, but women need reminding that it’s okay to put themselves first. So often they put the needs of family, friends, and even their pets, above their own. These seven days will be a perfect opportunity to prioritise their own health.”
At COgear, our founder Kym O’Leary and her dedicated team of mostly female staff can certainly relate to putting other people’s needs above their own.
“I think it’s in our genes to put others’ needs above our own and it’s a huge learning for us to know that you can’t really help others unless you help yourself first,” Kym says.
“Before becoming a mum, exercise was much easier to fit into my day. I loved starting the day by attending the 5.51am F45 class with my husband. However, now I have a 10 month old I find making a gym class near impossible. I try to fit a walk with my son everyday. Sometimes it’s a stroll to the nearest park and other days we do a more fast pace walk for an hr or so. I love listening to podcasts so I find I use that as motivation to get out the door.”
Here are the things that are important to keep on top of when it comes to your general health.
Regular check-ups
Prevention is better than a cure, and health priorities change with age. In your 20s, the choices you make can impact your health in future decades, and by the time you’re 25, five-yearly cervical screening tests are recommended, for example. Here is a helpful checklist about the health, dental and skincare check-ups you need for each decade from your 20s to your 70s.
“I go for annual health checks – my parents drummed this into me… you service your car every year so why wouldn’t you service yourself (so to speak). Generally, I plan this around my birthday every year so I don’t forget.” Says Kym
Mind and emotional health
According to Jean Hailes For Women’s Health, sadness and anxiety are normal emotions that help alert us, protect us from, and causes us to act. It is unhealthy when feelings become excessive, irrational, ongoing, distressing or they interfere with your daily life. If you are not functioning as you normally would, seek help and know that is okay to seek help.
Physical health
Our bodies are something many of us take for granted. If we don’t fuel or nurture them properly though, they can break down. A healthy and well-nourished body also helps lay the foundation for your mind to function at its best. Getting active with at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, eating a well-balanced diet, and getting enough sleep every night makes a huge difference to your energy levels and general health over the course of your life.
- To discover more about Women’s Health Week, or to take part in an event near you, please click here.
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