Women
are prone to overlooking an ache or pain. We can easily dismiss a headache,
fatigue, inability to sleep – and even weight gain
of a few pounds. But we really shouldn’t. As caregivers and career
professionals, we often pull double duty in our life roles – not to mention the additional time we put into
volunteering for sorority.
This
month, we send out a reminder to put yourself first.
When
it comes to health, you are the best judge of something that may be awry. If
you wait for a loved one or colleague to tell you that you’re not on your usual
game, your symptoms may have waylaid you into a chronic condition.
Falling
back on a cliché about prevention is too simple, but we want you to take
a moment to listen to the advice of Dr. Kate Wolin, a St. Louis-based
epidemiologist and Chi Omega. Dr. Wolin has good advice for women of all ages,
especially about the habits that we fall into when young that will lead to
potential diseases in later life.
We’re seeing startling health trends these days, from
obesity to early onset of diabetes. And women are still making the same
mistakes that can easily be corrected to get on a better path to health. These
are minor changes in lifestyle that result in major health differences.
We
can all start making quick changes during National Women’s Health Week this May
13-19 (beginning on Mother’s Day). You will find the NPC listed as a partner with the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s
Health as we help to spread the word.
Let’s start with some small steps.
- Take a friend for a brisk 30 minute walk.
- Log off your computer and head out into the fresh air.
- Jump into those pools that will open up on Memorial Day weekend.
Let’s take care of each other and ourselves. And don’t forget
to take the pledge
to encourage women to visit their health care professionals for checkups.
The
National Panhellenic Conference has a long history of being health aware – from our Something of Value program which addresses
risky behaviors on campus to the various health-related philanthropies of our
member groups that educate and raise research funds for the good of all.
It is never too late to start practicing good
health habits. So start now. And share your story of health with us on Facebook
or Twitter. We are always glad to share good news and always willing to listen
to a sister.
