When it comes to maintaining good health, there’s a lot of information out there. As we keep progressing towards our understanding of what it means to be healthy and how that looks different for each individual, important advances are being made every single day. It’s important for ladies of all ages to stay current on women’s health issues affecting them, as well as the resources that are available to support their continued good health and well-being.
“Sustaining good health and wellness is all about balance,” emphasizes Kathi Bratberg, owner of Eat Well Nutrition and Wellness, Inc. “Finding harmony within one’s lifestyle is essential, especially with respect to the staples of nutrition, exercise, sleep habits, and balancing out the time you spend working versus the time you spend with your family and alone in prayer or meditation. It’s easy to get caught up in our daily list of things to do and rushing from place; there simply aren’t enough hours in the day and we often times don’t take time for ourselves, which is important. As women, we can’t be a good caretaker for others if our energy is depleted and we can’t even adequately care for ourselves.
At Eat Well Nutrition and Wellness, our goal is to help our clients find balance. It is important for women to stick to a diet that is going to support their health, provide enough energy and that avoids all of the harmful chemicals commonly found in our food sources today. Moreover, many of the chemicals we are exposed to mimic estrogen, causing further imbalances. There are a lot of things that are different today than for our ancestors. Processed foods stimulate insulin production, we are constantly exposed to stressors that cause our cortisol levels to fluctuate, and we have become far more sedentary as technology has progressed, just to name a few of the major culprits. Therefore, we need to be aware of how to remedy this and put forth the effort to make better choices. It’s not always easy, but it is well worth it when you consider the health benefits. This doesn’t mean you have to give up your entire life, just that you modifications are necessary for optimal health in the world we live in today. It’s also important to pay attention to the body’s signals; it’s just as important to do your best to care for your body as it is to heed its warnings.
Functional medicine can greatly contribute to a balanced lifestyle. While there are times when pharmaceuticals are necessary, often there are much healthier alternatives. As one prime example, while the body takes measures to cleanse itself, when it’s overloaded a detox can be very beneficial. We are offering a spring detox in the clinic that’s great because it’s essentially an 18-day program that utilizes real, organic food ingredients to clear out toxins, letting the body clean out the rest. At a special discount this month, it’s really a great way to restore balance, allowing your body to function at an optimal level. Above all, my advice is to find your balance and to concentrate on taking care of yourself in all areas–mentally, physically and emotionally. Taking care of oneself is the key to staying healthy, and the more we are aware of the things that work and where we would benefit from change, the more apt we are to make better decisions when it comes to our health and wellness.”
“Everyone’s health begins with what we put in to our bodies and how we treat our bodies daily,” agrees Lisa Humphrey, Whole Body Team Leader at Whole Foods Market. “In the U.S., most women lead very demanding lives that require them to juggle work with family. Often times this stress can exacerbate certain hormonal symptoms. We offer products that help nourish and support women’s’ bodies inside and out so our customers can feel their best and thrive. In addition to eating healthy and well-balanced meals, we have everything from basic multivitamins to support optimal health to specific supplements to support every age and lifestyle along with dedicated sections in our supplement area for all stages of a woman’s life including childbearing years, premenopause, and postmenopausal years. It is important for consumers to stay informed about supplement quality standards (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/about-our-products/supplement-quality-standards), and to seek out the assistance of trained experts in order to make an educated and informed decision when selecting a nutritional supplement. We also have sections for other areas of interest including detox, cleansing, and weight management in addition to soothing options in our Body Care section from aromatherapy to aid in unwinding to nutrient-rich face and skincare. Of utmost importance, our goal at Whole Foods is to provide products that support the health and wellbeing of our customers and the environment. At Whole Foods Market, you can find the highest quality natural and organic products available with Team Members on staff who are experts in their departments to help guide you. Whether it is meeting requirements for a special diet or nourishing your baby-to-be, we are here to help you every step of the way!”
There are numerous biological differences between men and women that should be taken into account with respect to overall wellness and quality of life. “Women have several factors that can contribute to causing them pain that men don’t experience,” further explains Brad Schmitt, DC, owner of Schmitt Chiropractic and Rehab, PC. “Pregnancy can be a factor, the demands of being a mom can be a factor, and the changes that happened during pregnancy and delivery can also be a factor long after giving birth. Women also have wider hips than men do, which puts an added amount of stress on the knees and lower body. Regardless of pregnancy or having had kids, all women are more susceptible to potential hip pain, knee pain, and other injuries, especially if they are very active or runners. Women need to know the importance of the correct regular strengthening exercises whether they are having pain or not, and getting treatment to address these issues if they are having pain. We utilize techniques that support joint and nervous system function, as well as muscle balance, through chiropractic care, dry needling, Active Release (ART), and functional exercises. Whether a woman is working full time, staying at home with kids, or doing both, these techniques can greatly benefit the day to day strain that is put on the body.
Despite the difference in issues that exclusively affect women versus those that affect men, the benefits of chiropractic care are similar for both. However, for pregnant women, there are specific benefits to getting regular chiropractic care. As the body changes, new stresses and demands are placed on their body; especially the lower back and hips. Chiropractic helps ease the stress placed on joints from body weight being distributed differently than the body is used to. Neck pain and headaches from the neck pain and tension also give many pregnant women problems. Once the baby has arrived, the demands of being a new mom take a similar toll on the body as pregnancy does. A balance of chiropractic care, muscle work through dry needling and ART, and functional exercises can help these women enjoy the time to the fullest by not being in pain all of the time.”
Staying active and incorporating exercise into your lifestyle is also essential for maintaining our fitness and good health. There are a variety of methods to choose from, Pilates being a popular one among women of all ages. “Pilates is a great exercise regime for your core muscles,” emphasizes Chris Knight, owner of One Pilates. “It creates longer, leaner muscles without the bulk. Pilates is easy on the joints when you are using the Pilates Reformer, and it is great for those with back issues as you can focus on the core and surrounding muscles. You can get the muscles working in the manner they are supposed to and ease some of the discomfort. At One Pilates, I focus on the individuals in my classes and their specific needs. I keep a positive atmosphere where we focus on how you feel not just how you look. It’s about being good mind, body and soul. At One Pilates, I also can add in some of The MELT Method’s movements to enhance the client’s workout as well as ease some aches and pains they may have.” She adds, “Women tend to put themselves last, as we are generally the ones who nurture everyone else and forget about ourselves. We need to allow ourselves the time to take care of ourselves by exercising, eating well and taking time for ourselves. Women should know themselves and really listen to their bodies and not worry about what a society deems a perfect body–love the body you have and it will serve you well. Also, don’t fall prey to fad diets or exercises. Rather, listen to your body and eat well.”
As previously mentioned it is easy, and common, for women to overextend themselves. In a household, if the wife or mom falls ill of injury or sickness, it is likely that the whole operation can lead to disarray and everyone can become affected. “We can help in the event of something major such as surgery recovery or anything requiring a significant amount of downtime, as our caregivers can offer as little or as much assistance as you need to keep everything going smoothly and to keep everyone well cared for,” assures Kelli Donner of Comfort Keepers Omaha. Comfort Keepers is a home care agency that helps individuals live independently in their own homes. They provide a variety of care services including medication reminders, bathing, transferring, transportation, meal preparation, and light housekeeping among many other necessities. Comfort Keepers (caregivers) provide care in homes, facilities or hospitals for as little as one hour a day up to 24-hour care. Donner adds, “No matter how old or young you are, if you would benefit from assistance in your home, our Comfort Keepers are a wonderful option to keep in mind.”
There are many resources in Omaha that would be more than happy to help guide you along your wellness journey. After all, it is paramount to make sure that you are taking advantage of every opportunity you have to stay healthy so that you can enjoy a long, happy and fulfilling life!