Thoughts on Healthy Living and Mother's Day 2008

Healthy living. Isn't that something we all want? Mother’s Day is May 11, 2008 which begins the National Women’s Health Week.

Women across the country are encouraged to get healthy by taking action, by making their health a top priority and take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.

During that week, families, communities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease.

This effort is being coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health.

Generally speaking, healthy living includes the following:

• Engaging in physical activity most days of the week

• Eating a nutritious diet

• Visiting a healthcare provider to receive regular check-ups and preventive screenings

• Avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt

I agree with the government on this issue. However I realize these four simple steps are not quite so easy to put into action. Women with a family to care for are carrying a tremendous load.

For example, let’s say she does not smoke and always wears a seatbelt. Great. Next there is the nutritious diet and physical activity. Considering the percentage of overweight women over 40, it seems these two “simple steps” are not working out very well.

That leaves regular check-ups and screenings. As we age, those trips to the doctor are much more frequent and difficult to squeeze into an already harried schedule.

My goal is to do everything possible to keep you aware and informed about important health issues. It’s a matter of life or death.

Whenever you have a few minutes for yourself, I’d like you to