National Women's Health Week

Women know it’s harder than ever to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The Office on Women’s Health (OWH), a division of The U.S. Department of Heath, also recognizes this challenge. The OWH kicks off National Women’s Health Week Mother’s Day, May 9, 2010. This is a prefect time to celebrate women. Activities include national and local events designed to “empower women to make their health a top priority.”

According to the OWH, women can take five steps to decrease their risk of certain diseases and improve mental and physical health by:

· Getting at least 2 ½ hours 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 for regular checkups and preventive screenings.

· Avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt.

· Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.

Visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/ for more information and to locate events in your area.