National Women's Health Week: Easy Tips For A Healthier Lifestyle

May 10 to May 16 is National Women's Health Week. Here, lifestyle coach and Women's Health contributor Robin DeMarco shares quick tips on how to improve your health

From the LifeMinute Team

May 12, 2015

"National Women's Health Week is all about empowering women to make their health a priority," says Robin DeMarco, who is a lifestyle coach and contributor to Women's Health magazine. Here are a few important reminders to make sure you are taking the best care of the most important person in your life--you!

1. Brush up on your oral care routine. Your mouth is the gateway to your body, so a healthy mouth ensures a healthy body. "Practicing good oral care is so important to help reduce the risk of everything from heart disease, cancer and even pregnancy complications," says DeMarco. A shocking 50 percent of Americans don't visit the dentist yearly because of dentalphobia, finances or even just plain neglect. "Go to your dentist at least two times a year and don't forget to brush daily! This seems like a given, but it's something you should be doing at least two minutes a day, two times a day," says DeMarco. Her pick: Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste and Mouthwash, which are not only FDA approved, but also accepted by the American Dental Association to help prevent gingivitis. It literally fights cavities, reduces plaque and strengthens your tooth enamel. Another must-have: Colgate 360 Total toothbrushes.

2. Practice safe sun! May is also National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which is a reminder to go to your dermatologist for a yearly skin cancer screening. "To safeguard yourself against those harmful rays, you should always wear sunscreen," reminds DeMarco. Her pick: Alba Botanica New Spray Sunscreen SPF 50, which provides broad-spectrum UVA UVB protection and is water resistant up to 80 minutes. "The formulas are also biodegradable, made without harsh chemical preservatives and even the packaging is environmentally friendly, which we love," she says. More good news: It isn't tested on animals and is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

3. Keep your pH in check. Your body will function better overall with a balanced internal pH level. "Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Fruits and dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach are highly alkalizing and help neutralize acid. Also highly pigmented fruits and vegetables, such as raspberries and beets, are also alkaline," advises DeMarco. Another good option: Root vegetables like onions and sweet potatoes have a chemical called inulin, which promote healthy bacteria. "It's also a good idea to take a probiotic supplement, which helps pH levels by regulating healthy bacteria in the body," she explains. Her pick: RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic Feminine Supplement, which is clinically shown to balance yeast and bacteria to maintain feminine health.

4. Keep your stress under control. "Stress has been linked to so many major illnesses in the U.S. from heart disease to cancer to depression, you name it," warns DeMarco. "Get outside into nature. That natural light exposure will release the mood-lifting chemical serotonin as well as your Vitamin D levels," she advises. "Second, meditation and mindfulness. It literally only takes 15 to 30 minutes a day. Just focus on your breath. Make sure that you're with your thoughts and this little amount of peace can have major payoff," she adds. And don't forget exercise exercise, exercise! "Whether you like tai chi, yoga, running or something else, exercising releases mood-enhancing endorphins into the brain and has so many additional benefits," she says.

For more tips, pick up the latest issue of Women's Health magazine or go to womenshealthmag.com.

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