Territory Medical discusses women’s health matters

The benefits of regular physical activity

Being physically active is an extremely important part of being healthy, and age should never be a barrier. It’s never too late to make lifestyle changes and improve your health, so why not start today? You don’t need to qualify for the next olympics, you simply need to make sure you are exercising regularly, eating healthy, and have a positive mindset. Being active has benefits for all aspects of women’s health. 

An active lifestyle can help women:

• Reduce weight
• Improve their mental health
• Boost their energy
• Lower the risk of heart disease
• Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
• Lower the risk of some types of cancer
• Fight depression
• Lower the risk of dementia

Remember, it’s not too late to start, and “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” If you have any questions about starting to get more active or are concerned about your fitness or general health please make an appointment to see one of our GPs.

Does women’s health suffer due to modern busy living?

Modern living is undoubtedly busier and more fast paced than ever before. With everything that’s going on in women’s lives – working, raising children, running a household, keeping up with friends and family, sometimes women’s health can take a back seat. 

Understandably, many women find it difficult to juggle a career and family commitments and as a result their mental and physical health can suffer. Also, it’s important to note that some health conditions are more common in women than in men. These include:

• Breast cancer
• Heart disease
• Autoimmune diseases
• Depression
• Anxiety

If you are worried about the fast pace of life and managing your health, an easy first step is to make an appointment with your GP.

What are some ways women can manage their health in the modern world?

Below are some practical tips for managing and improving your health.

Stay Informed

It’s vitally important that you stay on top of any health complications that might arise and attend to them early. Make sure you know your family history and know the signs of a possible illness. Screenings are also extremely important for your health and peace of mind. Read more here about 5 Essential Preventive Healthcare Screenings for Women.

Sleep Well

Getting a good night’s sleep is so important and yet most people don’t pay enough attention to it. Women are around 40% more likely to have insomnia. Changes in a woman’s reproductive cycle can also contribute to poor sleep, with cramps, bloating, and headaches being a common problem for around one third of women. The health benefits of getting a good night’s sleep are often underestimated, and need to be prioritised. Some practical tips for sleeping better include:

• Reduce screen time, switch off your phone well before bed
• Keep your bedroom cool, and reserve it for sleep 
• Don’t over indulge in alcohol
• Avoid caffeine after midday
• Exercise regularly (but not within 3 hours of going to bed)
• Avoid daytime naps

Stay positive and support other women

In today’s world it can be easy to get swept up in the latest social media trends, and many women can end up feeling negative about themselves when compared to the unrealistic online depictions, especially when it comes to physical appearance.  Listen to your body and set realistic goals for your own health. It’s also worth remembering that women’s health is community health – and supporting other women is a big part of improving the health of the wider population. So why not exercise with a friend? Celebrate your achievements and give your girlfriend a compliment! And watch out for the signs of physical and mental health problems in yourself and your social circle.

Make an appointment at Territory Medical

If you have any health concerns or want to talk to your doctor before starting to get more active, please make an appointment with one of our friendly Territory Medical doctors.