Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Red Hot Mamas
Published: May 14, 2013
I love the sense of renewal that Spring brings every year. It breathes life into the air, blowing the door open to summer, which is right around the corner. It’s all about rejuvenation; a time to reawaken our senses (and hopefully not our allergies). I always get a burst of energy around Mother’s Day that sets me in the right state for the rest of the year. I try to rethink my habits and rework my lifestyle to get supercharged for the sunshine and summer. I don’t think I’m the only woman who does this.
It’s a fact that women hang in the game of life longer than men by about 7 years. Why? The answer may be that we take better care of ourselves than men. We pay more attention to our health and we seem to nip problems in the bud and take responsibility for our health.
However, just because we outlive our male counterparts, doesn’t mean we can now sit on our laurels and do nothing more to improve our health.
I hope you’re not bored of hearing it, but good advice always bears repeating. So here are some red hot tips from Red Hot Mamas for total health at menopause and really any time of your life!
Quit Smoking – It sounds like a no brainer, but there are still far too many women that smoke. Smoking is directly responsible for 80% of lung cancer deaths in women in the US each year. Postmenopausal women who smoke have lower bone density than women who never smoked. Women who smoke have an increased risk for hip fracture compared to never-smokers. Cigarette smoking also causes skin wrinkling that could make smokers appear less attractive and prematurely old.
Anchor Yourself to a Doc – We spend far more time taking care of maintenance on our car, than we do choosing a doctor to do maintenance on our bodies. Choose a doctor who is willing to be in partnership with you for your health decision making. Find one who is willing to educate you about your menopausal health and who listens to you. Seeing a doctor regularly may help you stay healthier.
Get a Good Workout – Regular exercise enables you to live longer and fend off heart disease and osteoporosis. Thirty minutes of aerobic exercise at least 3 times per week helps keep your heart and lungs healthy. Walking, swimming and cycling are all good forms of aerobic exercise. It also helps bum off excess fat, which all women at menopause can certainly benefit from.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep – Shoot for 8-9 hours per night. Food and rest are the two fuels that allow you to live. Sleep at menopause can be tricky. You may need to try a few of our menopause sleep tips.
Learn to Laugh – Laughter is the best medicine and can shield you from the downpour of ill health. Laughing is beneficial for both emotional and physiological well-being. Laughter can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) and defend against respiratory infections. Don’t stifle your sense of humor, let it out!
Happiness is everywhere. I try not to miss a moment of it during this time of year while the trees are leafing, the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. Enjoy the sunshine and your health this time of year and always!
Happy Mother’s Day to you all!
Karen Giblin
Founder and President
Red Hot Mamas
