Keep Mothers Healthy

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were about 82.8 million mothers in the U.S. in 2004. Although mothers range in age, experience, education, and income, their health should always be a priority. If you are a mom, you may often put your family and children first, but sometimes you need to make time to take care for yourself, even if that means only squeezing in ten or fifteen minutes as often as you can. Relieving stress or living a ""stress-less"" life is essential to your health. Try waking up an extra 10-15 minutes earlier in the morning for a brisk walk outside to enjoy the peace and quiet of the morning. If mornings aren't a good time for you, remember that a walk any time during the day is beneficial. Walking may help you to work up to the recommended 2 ½ hours per week of aerobic activity. Meditation is another way to get that much-needed tranquil time, and is considered to be safe for healthy people. Find a quiet place free from distractions to achieve a relaxed state. The goal of meditation is to increase your well-being. Try practicing meditation for at least 15 to 20 minutes every day. Learn more about Meditation and Health. Mental health is important and linked to overall health. CDC has found that stress at work can have an impact on your safety and health. If work is stressing you out, try these tips to reduce some of the negative effects of stress: - Strive to find a balance between work and family or personal life - Build a support network of friends and coworkers - Try to develop a relaxed and positive outlook As a mom, you probably have a hectic schedule and need to learn simple ways to be healthy on the go! Grab fruits and veggies, or prepare healthy snacks instead of take-out and processed foods. Most of the sodium we eat comes from packaged, processed, store-bought, and restaurant foods. Too much sodium can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Give yourself enough time to prepare and pack low-sodium foods to reduce your salt intake. Also, remember to make sure your foods and beverages are low in fat, calories, and sugars. Health is not about a single choice; it's about a lifestyle! Managing your health involves a life-time of good choices. Simple and small changes can lead to big results. There are many things you can do for a healthy lifestyle. If you are not sure where to begin, here are some resources and ideas: - Maintain a healthy weight: Learn to plan meals and more about Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight - Add Physical Activity to your Life: A great way to get started is to go on a bike ride or for a swim with your family. The kids would love to have mom do both! It's a great way to build your strength and show off youthful skills the kids may not know you have. Always remember safety first by learning how you can prevent injury before embarking on your active lifestyle. - Quit Smoking: If you need support, including free quit coaching, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). - Are you a mom-to-be or new mom? Text4Baby is a free text messaging service that helps women care for themselves and give their babies the best possible start in life. To sign up for the service, text BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for Spanish messages). Subscribers will receive free SMS text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby's date of birth. Learn more about Text4Baby. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can not only leave minor cuts, scratches, bruises, and welts, but can also cause more serious and lasting disabilities, such as broken bones, internal bleeding, and head trauma. Women who experience IPV are more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol, use drugs, and engage in risky sexual behavior. If you or anyone you know is experiencing IPV, please get help. Learn more information about IPV and featured resources. - Check-ups Moms need their check-ups too! It may be tough to squeeze in check-ups among your daily mom duties, but it is a must! Also, be sure to review your check-up check-list before your visit. If you don't have one, review the Check-up Check-list: Things to do before your next check-up Remember to tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. They need a full picture of what you do to manage your health to ensure coordinated and safe care. Maintaining good health is very important for you and your family. Make sure to schedule time for you!