You may think that you’re on your health game, but are you really doing everything you could to be your healthiest? It’s often the “little” things that make the greatest health impact. Here are 10 common health mistakes women make.
1. You don’t get enough sleep
You’re proud to be a superwoman, but even superwoman needs 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to major health issues, like heart disease- the #1 cause of death for men and women.
2. You don’t take “me time”
“Me time” is a time to relax and do something just for you. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel when you remember to take care of your own needs and relieve stress.
3. You slack on calcium
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Osteoporosis is a major health problem for older women because they neglected calcium intake earlier in life. So up your calcium intake today and guard your bones from osteoporosis in the future.
4. You watch fat but ignore sugar
It’s great that you’re choosing ‘low-fat’ foods, but are you watching sugar? Check food labels and look for high sugar content that can wreck your diet and even put you at risk for conditions like obesity and diabetes.
5. You don’t protect your skin
“Black don’t crack” – until you see that first premature wrinkle pop up. Protect your skin from premature aging and sun damage. And this starts with a daily regimen of moisturizer and foundation with SPF 30+ sunscreen.
6. You don’t wash your face before bed
Besides the fact that you don’t want to wake up next to your man looking like a raccoon, wash your face before bed so you clean away bacteria, dirt and makeup that can wreak havoc on your skin.
7. You brush, but don’t floss
If want to maintain a beautiful, pearly white smile- floss. Severe gum (or periodontal) disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in the United States- and flossing (not just brushing) prevents this.
8. You don’t see yourself as overweight
Carrying excess body weight puts you at substantial risk for many preventable medical conditions. So don’t be misled by people telling you that you’re “big- boned” or “thick.” Check your BMI, and if you’re considered overweight or obese, start taking serious steps to lose weight.
9. You don’t lift weights
Don’t avoid lifting weights because you think you’ll end up looking like Holyfield. The average woman doesn’t naturally produce enough testosterone to bulk up from weights. In fact, light weights and multiple reps will help build endurance, muscle tone, and even stronger bones.
10. You don’t sweat it out
As your body gets used to a particular exercise, you won’t sweat or burn as many calories. Maybe you aren’t challenging yourself or maybe you don’t want to sweat out that new do. Either way, you need to push yourself, mix up your workout regimen, and break a good sweat.
