Women: It's Your Time!

National Women's Health Week begins this Sunday, May 9th and runs through Saturday, May 15th. How fitting that this celebration begins on Mother's Day and is part of National Mental Health Awareness Month! National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH).

According to womenshealth.gov, National Women’s Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. With the theme “It’s Your Time,” the nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases. Important steps include:

• Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings
• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress

Women are often the caregivers for their spouses, children, and parents and forget to focus on their own health. But research shows that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family improves.  After all, when women take even the simplest steps to improve their health, the results can be significant and everyone can benefit.

We help women be the best they can be through our mental health services at the JFS Counseling Center. If you or someone you know is experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or family challenges, we encourage you to call us at (303) 597-7777. Our services are offered on a sliding-fee scale.