Prioritize Your Health With The African American Womens Health Checklist

Hey Sisters, use this African American Womens Health Checklist as a guideline to keeping your health in order. As busy as we are at work and in the home we make little time to take care of ourselves. While family is very important, our health is the most precious thing we have, without it nothing can accomplished. So let's make every effort to make our health a priority.

While all of the actions on the following list are important I have highlighted a few that think should be started right away.

1. Perform a breast self exam every week- while in the shower. See our how to page on how to do a Breast self exam.

2. Have a full physical examination every year including a dental exam.

3. Have a gyn exam every six months or a year (discuss with your gynecologist) - An easy way to remember to schedule these appointments is to schedule them at the beginning of the year, when you are making all your New Year’s resolutions.

4. Exercise Regularly - A pain free way to do this is to take up a fitness hobby. Look into playing a new sport-tennis, golf, swimming are all good calorie burners. Swimming is particularly good if you have experienced any muscle injuries. Check with your doctor about what exercise program is good for you. If you need to lose some weight check out my sensible weight loss tips.

5. Eat healthy with a plentiful supply of fruits, vegetables and fiber - Check out the USDA website. Don’t forget to drink lots of water. A hydrated body is a healthier body.Highly Recommended for African American Womens Health

6. Breathe - Sounds like a no brainer, however, we need to practice deep breathing. Breathing from the abdominals helps keep our body oxygenated . See our how to page for tips on deep breathing.

7. Develop a heart of gratitude and thankfulness - Perhaps things may not be that great right now but think about how much worse your situation could be! Right now you still have life so be thankful for that and develop a positive outlook which will help you overcome any situation.

As a matter of fact, start a Count your Blessings journal. Every night before you go to bed write down all the events that happened during the day that you are thankful for. You will be surprised just how much you have to be thankful for.

8. Laugh Out Loud – Studies show how that laughing is indeed good medicine. Laughing releases endorphins, a feel good chemical that increases your energy level. Also increases your blood flow in your body and helps to lower your blood pressure the same is true when you exercise. Highly Recommended for African American Womens Health

9. Maintain a good sexual relationship with your husband (significant other) - for the same reasons in #6. Plus sex helps to build the immune system.

10. Eliminate, eliminate, eliminate - Not only physically but spiritually as well. Part of the natural cycle of our body is getting rid of waste. We aid the body by eating as prescribed in #5 above. Sisters, we need to get rid of that stuff because it poisons our system.

11 Spend Quiet Time With Yourself - there is a lot of psychological junk that we harbor in our minds everyday which eventually affects our bodies. Spend quiet time everyday putting out of your mind the stuff that doesn’t belong there - focus past the lingering annoyances of the day. Highly Recommended for African American Womens Health

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