Integrative approach to improve women's health

Integrative approach to improving women's health

We already know the advantages of having more than 50; Your life experience allows you to better understand your environment and act with greater wisdom. However, it is also a reality that to have a good quality of life you must pay more attention to your mind and body.

About 70 million women in the United States have more than 50. From this age, certain conditions become statistically more frequent; cardiovascular disease, cancer, and arthritis, among other conditions, can substantially impair your physical and emotional well-being.

The good news is that you can lower your risk. Although we cannot modify our genetics, it is possible to change our habits and see our health from an integrative perspective.

What is integrative health?

 There is confusion between some practices that are used in relation to health care. The term "alternative", for example, refers to those therapeutic options that are outside of Western, conventional or allopathic medicine. These include the use of multiple herbs, vitamins, and minerals, as well as acupuncture, meditation, or other oriental medicine options that seek to alleviate symptoms without resorting to conventional medicine.

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Another term that you have probably heard is "complementary", which implies the use of certain options in addition to conventional medicine. The National Center for Complementary and Integral Health chose to standardize the terminology and refer to integrative medicine as the comprehensive approach of the human being, which implies their physical and mental health and the inclusion of the different therapies available, conventional and not, for their wellness.

Integrative female health

This is precisely the approach that I would like to delve into: consider the physical and emotional aspects that women aged 50 and over go through and look for ways to achieve an excellent quality of life.

At this stage, women face multiple changes that we cannot avoid: the " empty nest " syndrome , when children leave home to take their own flight; Thanks to the increase in life expectancy, many of us have the privilege of being able to continue enjoying the existence of our parents, who increasingly depend on us. Added to this are the changes in our health that occur, many times, unexpectedly. All of the above generates stress, which added to the changes in the production of female hormones, literally takes away our sleep.

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An integrative approach to our health helps us to enjoy a pleasant life. Here are some suggestions:

Stay slim: it is clear that staying at the ideal weight contributes to reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, certain joint disorders, and even some types of cancer. Physical activity also has a preventive effect in addition to reducing insomnia and helping us to better channel stress. So if you do not have medical contraindications for it, I highly recommend including sports routines and a balanced diet.

Meditate : Meditation, which involves paying attention to experiences of the moment, such as your breathing and body sensations, helps you decrease anxiety and the way you perceive stress, improving your hours of sleep. Try to meditate, even for a few minutes, every day.

health tips

Practice Tai Chi : This is a type of Chinese martial art that consists of performing certain postures and movements focused on concentrating energy to release it in combat. There is also chi kung that has no martial applications and focuses solely on improving physical and mental health. Both aim to develop greater elasticity, promote circulation and become aware of our body, helping to improve mood and sleep.

Other techniques of this type, developed in western culture, are the Feldenkrais method, which allows them to become aware of the body through coordinated movements and to pay attention to its motor and sensory activity, as well as Pilates. Both techniques can be performed individually or in groups and contribute to the flexibility and strength of your body.

Eat correctly: Regarding supplements that are sold without a prescription, I would like to clarify that, except for an express indication from your GP, you choose to obtain the nutrients that your body needs from a balanced diet. I suggest leaving out calorie-rich foods with little nutritional value and choosing those that are rich in vitamins and minerals, without "hollow" calories. nuts, for example, are an excellent source of energy that provides vitality while helping you reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dark green leafy vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals that your body requires to function properly. Before leaving the pharmacy with a bag full of jars with different supplements, I would like you to try to choose fruits and vegetables of all colors to combine in happy dishes; attractive to both the eye and the palate.


With this integrative approach to your health, taking care of your body and your mind, I am sure that you will face your day today with a better mood and enjoy every moment that life offers you.

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