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When Women Win In the Wellness Game, Everyone Wins
Health, wellness, and self-care sure were buzzwords that robustly began in 2020 to help navigate new waters of wellness through the pandemic. As we continue beyond half way this year in this novel wellness game, it is halftime, just like in sports that offers us hope to win.
What a coach may try to attain during this halftime, is to assess what worked, strategize how to change up plays, then succeed in winning. For women today, that translates to considering new exercise and relaxation moments, plan how to work these into your day, then thrive and flourish through the remainder of this year to succeed.
Why this is important is that the rules of the game have changed this past year. Recent stats reveal that a four-fold increase in the incidence of stress cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome during March 1 to April 20, 2020, occurred in women (usually after divorce, death or high levels of emotional stress), and mimics a heart attack. A study by the American Heart Association revealed that depression may be a barrier to living a heart healthy lifestyle.
Remnants of the pandemic are still being felt as women may have a high level of anxiety, mental health challenges, dealing with loss, insomnia, sadness, as a result of the loss of freedom. Researchers state the need to be equipped to fight the increase in this cardiovascular risk burden following the pandemic.
For women to not add to the existing statistics of dying of cardiovascular disease more than men, as our #1 killer, requires a new preventive paradigm shift, giving yourself permission to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Reducing chronic stress and embracing relaxation tools to engage the parasympathetic nervous system, the healing part of the body will lessen the impact of 2020.
How To Win In Your Wellness Game:
- Focus on the breath – daily do 3-5-8 breathing or alternate nostril breathing
- Embrace slowing down – take up meditation, relax with massages, practice mindfulness, be in Nature, pet animals
- Yin yoga for peace – gentle, calm stretching
- Movement is medicine – walk daily, find exercise you enjoy
- Write in a gratitude journal – shifts mental anxiety
- Begin tapping – www.thetappingsolution.com
- Scents that sooth – smelling lavender, cedarwood, Joy are all relaxing
- Eat for the heart – tomatoes, beets, strawberries, cherries, red pepper, garlic, watermelon
