Women’s health is a complex and multifaceted issue, and since many women have a habit of becoming caretakers for others, this complexity is often neglected, meaning that many women disregard their well-being and postpone going to the doctor. While regular visits are necessary to discover the presence of disease, bacteria or pathogens in your body that may not present with any symptoms in the beginning, there are also several things you can do on your own to protect your health for both the short and the long term.

If you’ve been thinking about adopting a healthier routine in early 2024, here are some things you should definitely consider.

Drink water 

Good hydration is essential for health. You’ve most likely heard this mantra many times already, but that doesn’t make it any less accurate, but you may be unsure why drinking water is crucial. The answer is that every single one of your body’s cells and tissues requires hydration to work well, with waste removal, temperature regulation and joint lubrication being dependent on water. Your skin, kidneys, brain, liver and heart contain large amounts of water you must replenish regularly. 

If you want to take your wellness routine to the next level, you should drink hydrogen water, known for its benefits as a selective antioxidant. Some studies suggest that hydrogen water doesn’t just mitigate the harmful effects of oxidative stress but may also offer neuroprotective benefits and support cognitive function. Additionally, it could potentially shorten the duration and magnitude of allergy symptoms and reduce their frequency. While more research is needed to fully understand the scope of its benefits, emerging data indicates that hydrogen water can be helpful.

Quit smoking 

Smoking is arguably one of the worst things you could do to your body, because it affects every single body organ and can cause the emergence of serious chronic illnesses, including lung and heart diseases. Smoking also causes higher rates of stroke and diabetes. The moment you quit, you might notice withdrawal symptoms, like irritability, nausea, headaches, restlessness, cravings, anxiety and weight gain. Luckily, most find that these uncomfortable symptoms are only present for a relatively short amount of time, between two and four weeks at the most. However, you’ll be glad for this mild discomfort in the long run, as not smoking is a great step toward better health. 

Similarly, if you enjoy drinking alcohol, make sure you don’t overdo it and remain within limits. Alcohol is a depressant and will make you feel more relaxed and calmer, but over a longer timeframe, it can lead to the development of chronic diseases, including brain and nerve damage. 

Visit your doctor 

Visiting your doctor can be a nuisance since you have to change your routine, something that is understandably difficult given the frantic, restless lives most people live nowadays. There’s also the simple fact that you may feel apprehensive about seeing a physician, but many diseases present with virtually no symptoms in their early stages. By the time the symptoms begin to show, the damage done to your body could be more severe, hence why you need to catch them in the early stages. The only way to do so is to talk to a doctor and have a thorough examination. 

For instance, diabetes may initially present with ambiguous symptoms such as increased thirst, dry skin and tingling in the hands or feet, so it’s more likely than not that you will consider these signs to be the result of eating more salt or not using moisturizer. If it is indeed diabetes, getting your blood sugar tested is the standard way to determine if something is off. 

In case you feel tense and worried before seeing the doctor, you can bring a friend or relative along for emotional support. Inform the physician that you’re feeling anxious right at the beginning so that they have a better idea of how to deal with your case.

Sun care

Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is very important. During the hot summer months, you should aim to be out of the sun anywhere between 10 am and 4 pm, but if you need to be outside, you should try to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible, especially if the sun is scorching. Wearing protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats and loose garments that cover your body but are also cooling, is a must. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle along, since you sweat more, so your body needs more water to regulate temperature. If you notice any symptoms of sunstroke, such as fever, red skin, a rapid pulse, headache, dizziness and nausea, you need immediate medical attention.

Both heat exhaustion and its more extreme cousin, heat stroke, can cause serious health damage that can cause permanent disability and even death. So remember to always wear sunscreen. If you work right next to a window and there’s a lot of natural light coming through every day, you should wear it inside as well. Apart from ensuring your skin maintains its youthful look longer (sunscreen can protect against collagen depletion and boosts production as well), you also protect it from possible health issues, some of which can be severe.

Sleep well 

Being active, having a steady workout, and having a movement routine are all significant things. But it is just as important to know when to relax, unwind and have a breather. The most important part about being well-rested is to have a sound sleep routine, so aim for going to bed at the same time each night, as this can help regulate your body’s natural rhythm. Avoid having too much artificial light around right before bed for a more restful sleep. On average, women need eight to ten hours of sleep each night to wake up refreshed.

Studies show women fall asleep much faster than men and that they also spend more time in deep sleep, but not getting enough sleep can lead to a decrease in cognitive capacity, affecting memory, learning ability and concentration, and irritability and mood changes. The effects of chronic sleep deprivation also include an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease, all of which are manageable with treatment but can affect your quality of life. 

You might believe that staying healthy is the most uncomplicated thing in the world, but it actually takes steady effort and choosing the healthier option every day to make a difference. Don’t be discouraged and keep believing in your ability to turn your life around.