When you listen to your body, it will often give you clues if something isn’t right. If you are constantly feeling as if you’re tired, sapped of energy, run down, stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, it could be your body’s way of sending you a message. Here, we look at some common, everyday tips for women’s wellness that you can work on right away to zap away the brain fog. Talk to Louisa Carter Health if you would like a women’s wellness consultation in Preston or online. 

Tip 1: Don’t Stint on Sleep

Sleep is essential to your wellbeing. It can affect both your physical and mental wellbeing.
Without quality sleep we can spend the day feeling tired, overwhelmed and lacking concentration. Ensuring you are getting approx. 8hrs sleep a night will make all the difference to your daily energy, mood and motivation levels. 

Start by checking exactly how many hours you are getting each night? 

If you have trouble with your sleep (falling asleep or staying asleep) start by exploring basic sleep hygiene strategies. Here are a few to consider. 

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and heavy meals before bed. 
• Keep your bedroom dark, cool and quiet.
• Turn off devices at least an hour before sleep time. 
• Relax before bedtime – create your own bedtime ritual and routine.

Tip 2: Eat for your vitality!

Food plays a very important role in determining how you feel day to day. You want to ensure you are nourishing your body with food and drinks that are packed full of life giving nutrients to help you feel your best.  

Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. 

• Drink water. Aim for 2lt+ daily. Start the day with 2 large glasses of warm water (add lemon if you like).
• Eat whole foods that come from the earth and avoid processed and packaged foods.
• Load up on vegetables into your diet. Eat the rainbow every day!
•  Ensure good quality protein and fat.
• Avoid too much sugar.

Tip 3: Move your body daily.

Regular movement and/or exercise has a positive effect on how you feel. It is well proven that exercise combats against many common health problems like anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, bone density and some forms of cancer.

• Tune into your body and move in a way that feel good for you. Allow that to be different day to day depending on how you feel.
• Try a mixture of cardio and weight bearing exercises. 
• Remember that walking is one of the best forms of exercise.
• Make movement fun. Try a dance class, walk with friends, go swimming in the ocean.
• Aim to move your body daily, add in some more vigorous exercise 3-5 x week.
• Take rest when your body calls for it.

Tip 4: Reduce Your Stress

Stress can have such a profound effect on both your mental and physical health, impacting on the quality of your life. Research shows that it is linked to higher risks of so many health conditions including depression, anxiety and heart disease. In today modern world it feels hard to avoid. Here are some ideas (that are backed by research), on how to reduce stress to improve overall women’s wellness:

• Take the time to do things that you enjoy. Catch up with your girlfriends, go for a bush walk, do some painting, see a comedy show.
• Try some physical exercise. Get those endorphins pumping.
• Try meditation or breathing techniques. There are so many great apps out there these days (smiling minds, stop, think breath, insight timer). Start with just 5 minutes a day and see what impact that has on toggling your stress levels.
• Get a massage – This has been shown to reduce stress and calm the nervous system. It releases tension throughout your body and mind. Book now.

Tip 5: Keep on Top of Health Check-ups

See your doctor at least once every year for a blood test and every two years for a pap smear. More often if your doctor recommends it or if you are unwell. 

Explore women’s wellness with Louisa Carter Health in Preston To learn more about how we can help you, visit our women’s wellness website and contact us online to book a massage or Naturopathy session today.