One of the first behaviors that I think we need to change as women is putting everybody else so far above ourselves that we ignore our own needs. For example, we will always find money to make sure our kids and husbands see the doctor when needed, but we always put off our own physicals because we can't afford them. If we are lucky enough to have health insurance, we still have large deductibles, so we put it off so long we never go. Yearly physicals, mammograms, and PAP smears are all important for preventative health. What we don't realize is that this is learned behavior. How many of us that always put off that yearly physical had mothers that always put off their yearly physicals? What are our daughters learning from us?Next thing women to learn is how to cook and prepare healthy meals for themselves and thier families. I think women have had so many responsibilities on their plate that one thing they have delegated is meal preparations. Unfortunatley we have delegated that to fast food chains that have cost us and our families our health. Instead of continuing to add more to our day, I think we need to start simplifying, slowing down enough to prepare a meal and eat together as a family.
So many of us are so busy running around making sure our kids are involved in every possible activity that all we do is sit in the car, dropping one child at soccer while running the next to dance and by the time we get the third to band we have to go back to the soccer field to pick up child number 1 and on and on we go driving in circles. Again, I think it's time to simplify our lifes. Why can't we go outside with our kids and play soccer with them or have a family dance in the living room after dark? If we want to improve our health we must get moving again.
The biggest benefit that I see in simplifying our lives is that so much of our stress will disappear. Stress is a necessary part of life, but I think we have gotten so out of control that the levels of stress we are under are actually causing our heart problems and even cancer. If we want to be healthier and have healthier families we are going to have to be active in our health and quit being the passive spectators we have been.
Wow! You hit the nail on the head sister!! Women do need to take charge of their own health. In doing that, the change will be made for the better of the whole family. I like your comic too! Funny!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you are trying to take care of your family, work, and do well in college, it is very hard to find time to take care of yourself. There are only 24 hours in a day. In an ideal world a woman could go to college, work over 40 hours a week, take care of a husband and small children without neglecting herself. However, I find this almost impossible. I really don’t know a solution for this. I am not willing to push my son or husband aside. However, I have made some small changes in my lifestyle. I keep healthy snacks in my purse so that I will eat that instead of unhealthy snacks. All other changes will have to wait until my life becomes less hectic.
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