Hey my sisters! How are we doing today? Let’s chat about something super important – our health. As African women, we’re often the backbone of our families and communities, juggling so much, that sometimes, we forget to take care of ourselves. But it’s time to put ourselves first, and really focus on what it means to be in charge of our health. Have you ever felt like you’re running on empty? Well, you’re not alone, and it’s time we talked openly about looking after ourselves.
Why is Prioritising Our Health So Crucial?
We all know that women’s health is often a topic that’s pushed to the side, but it shouldn’t be. We juggle so much, and it’s so easy to just keep going, even when we’re not feeling our best. But, if we don’t look after ourselves, then we won’t be able to look after anyone else. When we make our health a priority, we are building a foundation of strength and vitality for ourselves, and for our families.
The Foundation of Wellbeing: Prevention
Staying healthy isn’t just about seeing a doctor when you’re sick. It’s about taking proactive steps to keep our bodies in tip-top shape. This means routine care, eating well, being active, and getting enough good quality sleep. We’re all busy, but incorporating these things into our daily life can make a world of difference. Think of our bodies like a car, they need regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly and prevent bigger problems down the road.
Taking Charge of Our Health
We all know that it can feel like we have very little control of our lives at times, but when it comes to our health, we can take charge. And it starts with our decision to do that. By staying on top of our routine care, and knowing how to manage our health, we can take the reins of our health journey. Taking an active role in our health is one of the best things we can do for our long-term wellbeing. We are the most important members of our healthcare team.
Actionable Insight
Let’s decide to put our health first. Start by making one small change this week. Maybe it’s going for a walk, or preparing a healthy meal. Let’s make a conscious effort to put ourselves first.
The Power of Routine Care: Regular Checkups
Routine care is such an important part of our overall health and wellbeing. And so many of us just forget to go to our check ups or screenings. These aren’t just things we do when we’re unwell, but rather are proactive ways that we stay healthy.
Spotting Issues Early
Regular checkups can help catch health issues early when they’re often easier to treat. It’s like having a health MOT, ensuring that we spot any problems before they become big ones. These appointments are designed to spot the early signs of disease, and provide preventative treatment, so we stay well and healthy.
Staying Up-to-Date on Vaccinations
Routine care also involves vaccinations. These help to protect us from certain diseases and infections. As women, we need to make sure that we are up to date on these to protect ourselves and our families. When we are vaccinated we are also protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
Building a Relationship With Your Health Care Provider
Routine care also helps you build a good relationship with your health care provider. When we feel comfortable with our healthcare provider, it makes it easier to talk to them about any health concerns, and also means that they are more aware of our health and wellbeing. By working together with our providers, we can achieve the best health outcomes for ourselves.
Actionable Insight
Schedule your next checkup today. Don’t wait until you’re sick. Regular appointments mean that we can prevent health problems from getting too big, and take care of ourselves and our wellbeing.
Recommended Routine Screenings: Know Your Needs
We all know that every woman is unique, and so are our screening needs. So when it comes to recommended routine screenings, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. What’s recommended for one woman, may not be the best for you.
General Guidelines
The United States Preventative Services Task Force provides general guidelines for screenings. They suggest regular screenings for things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and certain types of cancer. But it’s really important that we each work with our own healthcare providers to understand which screenings are best for us.
Personalised Care
Our healthcare providers will take our personal and family health history into account, as well as our current health status, when deciding which screenings are best. This means that our screenings will be tailored to our individual needs. By having an honest and open conversation with our healthcare provider, we can ensure that we are getting the right care for us, and are not missing vital preventative care.
Taking Control of Our Health
The best way to know what screenings are right for you is to talk to your healthcare provider. Don’t be shy, they are there to help us. It’s important that we take charge of our health, and make sure that we’re getting all the necessary care at every stage of life.
Actionable Insight
Talk to your healthcare provider about the screenings that are right for you. We each need to understand what our specific health needs are, and ensure that we are getting the right screenings at the right time.
Finding Your Health Care Partner: Choosing a Primary Care Provider
Our primary care provider is our go-to for most health concerns. They’re the ones who help us manage everything from the common cold to chronic conditions. So it’s important to find someone that we trust and feel comfortable talking to.
Insurance and Finances
If you have health insurance, start by checking which doctors are covered by your plan. If you don’t have insurance, there are resources and health centers that can help you find care for little or no cost. It’s important to do our research and find the resources we need.
Specialised Care
Consider any specific health needs you might have. Some providers have expertise in certain areas, such as women’s health or heart health. It’s important to find someone who understands our unique needs.
Recommendations
Ask your friends, family, or other health care providers for suggestions. Personal recommendations are so valuable, and it can help us find someone that we feel comfortable with.
Meet and Greet
Many doctors offer a first visit to get to know them. Use this time to see whether you feel comfortable with their communication and approach. It’s important that we find someone who listens to us, and who makes us feel seen and understood.
Actionable Insight
Take the time to find a healthcare provider that’s right for you. It might take some time, but it’s worth it to find a provider that you trust and who can be your partner in your health journey.
When Seeing a Doctor Isn’t Possible: Alternative Providers
Sometimes, seeing a doctor isn’t an option for a variety of reasons. It could be due to location, finances, or just difficulty getting an appointment. But there are many other healthcare providers that can also meet our needs.
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are trained professionals who can provide routine care, prescribe medications, and manage many common health concerns. They are a great alternative when a doctor isn’t available, and they work as part of your health care team to ensure you get the care you need.
Accessing Care
Many communities have clinics and health centres that offer accessible healthcare. It’s important that we do our research and find alternative options that are available.
Actionable Insight
If you are having difficulty accessing a doctor, explore other healthcare providers in your area. There are a variety of options that can provide you with quality care.
Making the Most of Your Visit: Being Prepared
We need to take an active role in our healthcare appointments, so that we can make the most of our time with our healthcare provider. We need to go in prepared to ensure that our voices are heard and we get all our questions answered.
Preparing for Your Visit
Think about what you want to discuss with your provider ahead of time. Write down your questions and any concerns that you have. When we prepare ahead of time, it means that we don’t forget anything, and it helps to make sure we get the best care possible.
Taking Notes
Don’t hesitate to take notes during your visit. It can help you remember what was discussed and any instructions given. Sometimes there’s a lot of information to take in, so writing it down helps to remember everything.
Actionable Insight
Be prepared for your appointments. Make a list of questions, take notes, and make sure that you are an active participant in your healthcare journey.
The Big Picture: Taking Charge of Your Health
Our health is our wealth, so it’s vital that we take control and responsibility for it. By prioritising routine care, finding the right primary care provider, and preparing for our healthcare visits, we can all be in the driving seat of our health journey.
We Are the Most Important
We have to remember that we are the most important members of our health care team. We are the experts when it comes to our own bodies. When we take an active role, we are empowering ourselves to live healthy, happy lives.
Let’s Do It Together
Let’s work together to change how we think about women’s health. It’s so important that we feel comfortable with our bodies and the health challenges that we face. Whether you ask questions, share your story, or simply listen, every little bit helps.
Final Words
My dear sisters, your health and wellbeing is so important. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. This is our time to take control of our lives, our bodies, and our future. Speak up, seek help when you need it, and support each other along the way. Remember, you are not alone, and you deserve a healthy, happy life. Let’s take charge of our health journey, together.
