Five things all women should know about her health

In the midst of busy schedules and competing responsibilities, many women place their own health at the bottom of the list. At the same time, social media has a heavy focus on wellness trends, often promoting viral supplements and complex diets, many women find themselves overlooking the most important foundations of medical health.

Lacey Gunn, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Geriatrics shared true longevity isn’t always found in a drastic lifestyle overhaul or has to take significant allotments of time. Instead, she emphasizes the most effective healthcare is built on manageable, evidence-based habits that fit into a woman's everyday life. By focusing on five pillars, women can take meaningful steps toward improving both their immediate well-being and long-term health outcomes.

1. Prioritize movement as medicine

Physical activity is not just a lifestyle choice; it is the single most effective medical intervention for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading health threats to women. Whether it is a brisk walk through your neighborhood, a morning yoga session or a quick bodyweight circuit, incorporating moderate-intensity movement most days of the week is a vital investment in your survival and quality of life. The benefits extend far beyond heart health, including improved mood, better quality and longer sleep, weight regulation, lower blood sugar and risk reduction from conditions such as osteoporosis. Gunn suggests including a regular moderate workout most days of the week, on a consistent schedule, is the key to building a strong foundation for your overall health. 

2. Simplify your nutrition

Healthy eating does not require a total dietary overhaul. In fact, many common myths suggest that restrictive diets are the only answer for weight loss, but these measures are often difficult to maintain and can lead to burnout. Taking ownership of your nutrition means focusing on the choices you can control. Aim to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables and prioritize whole grains and diverse protein sources like fish, beans and nuts. Prioritizing these nutrients provides the actual physical power your body needs to thrive; it strengthens your immune system, stabilizes your energy levels throughout the day and significantly lowers your long-term risk for chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. It can’t be understated what we put in our mouths determines the fate of our cells and cellular processes.

3. Take ownership of your mental health

Many women often carry significant caregiving responsibilities, which can make it easy to overlook their own mental well-being. This extension of care outside us can lead women to overlook their own mental and physical needs. Untreated mental stress often manifests as physical symptoms in everyday life, affecting sleep, cardiovascular health, weight, productivity and relationships. Taking ownership of your health means choosing to live a life with your own well-being at the forefront to effectively fulfill all responsibilities to our best ability. This also requires removing the idea taking care of ourselves is selfish. By learning to listen to yourself and finding your joy, independent of your responsibilities to others one can shift that balance in favor of total health and become a better version of yourself. By building a strong support system and utilizing the medical resources available to you (people and tools), you can manifest mental resilience into a foundational part of your overall health. 

4. Verify online health information

With an abundance of health advice available online, it can be difficult to separate credible information from misinformation. While digital resources can be helpful, they cannot replace guidance from a trusted health care professional. Before making significant changes to diet, exercise or medications, consulting a provider ensures that decisions are safe, informed and tailored to individual needs.

5. Focus on consistency 

Life consistently throws us curveballs, and maintaining a rigid health regimen isn't always possible. Because staying consistent is often the hardest part of a busy schedule, shift your focus from perfection "to the simple act of showing up.” Prioritizing consistency over intensity is the most effective way to protect your long-term health and build a lasting habit. To make this easier, treat your movement like a non-negotiable appointment on your calendar and choose exercises that you enjoy, and once you start to move you won’t regret it. By removing the burden of all-or-nothing thinking and returning to your habits without shame, you transform your health into a sustainable, lifelong journey.

Lacey Gunn is a graduate of the UofL School of Medicine where she earned both her MD and PhD in 2014. She completed her residency in the Department of Family Medicine and Geriatrics in 2017. Following training, she worked for Baptist Health for five and a half years in the outpatient setting. She later returned to the School of Medicine to care for patients and help train the next generation of physicians.