National Women’s Health Week May 10-16, 2020: Taking Time for Ourselves

This year marks the 21^st annual National Women’s Health Week which kicked off on Mother’s Day, May 10 and continues through May 16. This annual observance serves as a reminder for all women to make health a priority and to build healthy habits for life.

What Can I Do?

Although we are experiencing disruptions during the current outbreak of COVID-19, there are still many steps we can take to focus on well-being and improve our overall health. Some of these include: 

• Plan ahead to make healthy food choices during this time. Choose healthy foods that can stay fresh longer to help prevent frequent trips to the store.
• Practice stress and coping Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  techniques such as calling a friend, meditate, read, take a walk, pray or other activities that help to provide relief.
• Limit use of alcohol Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  and tobacco to cope with stressful situations.
• Quit smoking.
• Get plenty of sleep Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  and try to stick to your usual routine as much as possible by waking up and going to bed at the same time.
• Take time to walk, jog, garden, yard work and other activities Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  to get you moving.
• Practice social distancing as well as CDC Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  recommendations to help prevent you and your family against illness.
• Preventative care is important, however if need be contact a provider for a well-woman checkup, and other preventive screenings and vaccinations. 

Stay Motivated, Encourage Others

During National Women’s Health Week, practice social distancing, encourage each other to share stories, and activities by posting to social media using #NWHW, #FindYourHealth, #DistanceToGetClose, and #WellnessWarriors.

It’s important to remember that every woman is unique in their health journey, and therefore may need a different approach than others. Take time to understand what your individual goals are, what motivates you, and the best plan of action for you. The Office on Women’s Health Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  also has an interactive online tool that can provide personalized tips to help get you started.

Be Informed

IHS helps to support healthy lifestyles among American Indian and Alaska Native women by providing healthcare, education and prevention.  IHS provides multiple resources and tips that can be found through the Health Topics, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, Health Education Self-Management and Women’s Health web pages.  Health educators, Health promoters and Community Health Representatives also serve as advocates to help provide health information and resources.

National Women’s Health Week is a short reminder, but the healthy choices we make will last a lifetime.

Related content:

Indian Health Service: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

American Society for Nutrition: Making Health and Nutrition a Priority During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Center for American Indian Health: COVID-19 Materials Developed for Tribal Use Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Living Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Office on Women’s Health: About National Women’s Health Week Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov