5 Healthy Habits Every Woman Should Start Today

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias #HerHealth Did you know that May was Women’s Health Month?  Yeah, it sort of missed my calendar too.  Somewhere between the plethora of birthday parties, recitals, graduation ceremonies, and other celebrations that happen in the month of May, Women’s Health Month got lost in the shuffle.  I actually didn’t think about it at all until I saw some signs advertising Women’s Health Month at Walgreens last month.  I planned to blog about it soon after I saw those signs, but, well, then life happened.  There are so many things going on, and, like always, I tend to put my family’s needs before my own.  But I suppose that’s why Women’s Health is so very important.  We often get caught up in doing so much for those around us, we don’t take care of ourselves.  And with the hot temperatures and busy social calendar that summer can bring with it, I thought now was the perfect time to share the 5 health habits that every woman should start today (and definitely before the scorching heat of summer!). Sunscreen

No matter what skin type you have or what time a year, sunscreen is so very important.  Sure you think about slathering it on when you head out for a day at the pool, but what about all those other sunny days?  To ensure that you’re always protected from the sun’s harmful rays, be sure to pick a foundation that has sunscreen in it.  These foundations do tend to be a bit more expensive than the traditional foundation (without sunscreen), but it’s so worth the money when you consider the risk.  Make sure to look for a foundation that has an SPF of at least 15.  (And once you’ve picked up a foundation, make sure to pop over to the Walgreens sunscreen aisle – they’re having some great sales – especially if you have a Balance Reward Card!)

Water

Did you know that the average woman needs to drink 91 oz of water per day?  That’s 2.7 liters!  Sure, about a quarter of that will come from the food that you eat, but the rest you need to drink throughout the day.  And quite frankly, it’s easy to forget.  I forget all the time.  Try getting a reusable water bottle and figure out exactly how many ounces it will hold.  Based on it’s capacity, determine how many times you need to fill it per day to get your daily dose of water.  Then throughout the day check to make sure that you’re meeting the required fills.  In other words, if you’re supposed to fill it three times per day, try to fill it once in the morning, once after lunch, and once before dinner, finishing it by the end of the day.  This timetable will keep you accountable.

Cleanse & Moisturize

Have you ever seen pictures taken during studies showing what happens to your skin if you don’t take your makeup off each night?  Go ahead and google it.  Scary stuff.  Remember, your skin is an organ that needs to be taken care of too!  Washing your face and neck at the beginning and end of each day with a facial cleanser is imperative.  If you find yourself short on time, try makeup removing wipes.  They’re great in a pinch!  And once you’re done cleansing, make sure to moisturize – your skin will thank you!

Vitamins & Supplements Confession: I took prenatal vitamins up until a week ago.  I’m not pregnant and I haven’t nursed since November, but I still took them.  My husband has offered me his multivitamin as an alternative, but I know that women have special nutritional needs so I stuck to the prenatals.  I mean, they’re definitely made with women in mind, right?  Good thing Walgreens offers a special women’s formula multivitamin.  And it’s a gummy so it’s easy to take and tastes pretty good, too.  No more prenatals for this girl! Once you’ve found a daily vitamin, don’t be afraid to supplement!  I tend to supplement with vitamin C in the winter and Calcium or B6 in the summer, but Walgreens has so many to chose from depending on your particular needs.  Literally, there might be hundreds of options!Exercise

I’ll admit, I’m really, really bad about this one.  But exercise doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym.  Try taking your dog on a longer walk that normal once the kids are in bed.  Or taking a flight or two of stairs instead of the elevator.  Maybe swim a few laps if you’re in the pool with your family.  Little changes can make a difference and improve your health.Have any suggestions of your own?  Leave me a comment and let me know how you get your body ready for summer!