Celebrating Women’s Health Week
September 5 to 11 is Women’s Health Wee, an initiative that aims to inspire women to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Whether that means booking in for overdue health checks, being more active, or making time to connect with yourself or others, there are all sorts of ways you can improve your health and well-being.
To mark the occasion, we spoke to three of our female doctors about how they prioritise their health and well-being. You’ll love their tips.
Dr Ananya Murthy – General Practitioner
How do you set aside time for your health and well-being?
Good health is essential to lead a happy, purposeful life and so I make it a priority. I have a daily and weekly routine that I follow where time is set aside for regular exercise, mindfulness/meditation, and relaxation activities.
Although I enjoy my routine, there are days when I allow myself to slack and just be! What do you do to stay healthy, both physically and mentally?
I am fortunate to have a job that keeps my mind active and a close circle of family and friends that help me thrive.
I find starting the day with 10 minutes of mindfulness grounds me and sets me up well for a busy day. I enjoy cooking and eating simple healthy meals.
I go to the gym most evenings to switch off from work and reset. It also tires me enough to fall asleep when my head hits the pillow at night.
Annual health checks with my GP are always a good reminder for me to know where I am and what I need to do for my well-being. What would your message be to other women who may not be prioritising their health and well-being?
As a mother of two teenage children, I can fully understand how busy and time-poor our lives can be. It is important to make self-care a priority.
Find activities that bring you joy and schedule time for those in your week, however small it may be. Try to plan your week ahead and create a support system that you can lean on in times of need. Most importantly, see your doctor for a wellness/preventive check at least once a year. Dr. Louise Moncur – Psychologist
How do you set aside time for your health and well-being?
This can look different for me every day. Each morning and throughout the day, I often like to check in with myself as to how I’m feeling and where my energy is at so that I can then do what I need to do moment-to-moment to look after myself.
Practicing flexibility and being adaptable is very important for me when it comes to setting aside time to look after my health and well-being. Some days I practice mindfulness and journal or go for a walk, whilst on other days it is enough to schedule time in the morning to prepare and enjoy a healthy, wholesome breakfast. What do you do to stay healthy, both physically and mentally?
This can look like anything from allowing myself to sleep in, to carving out time to have a mindful moment as I drink my morning coffee in the sun, all the way to going on a hike, meal-prepping a nutritious meal for lunch at work, scheduling a one-on-one, quality catch-up with a loved one, or going out to try a new cafe or restaurant. What would your message be to other women who may not be prioritising their health and well-being?
Life really is too short not to prioritise your health and well-being to be able to create, but most importantly, to enjoy the fulfilling life you deserve. Dr Christie Bryant – General Practitioner
How do you set aside time for your health and well-being?
I try to prioritise time for exercise and meditation. On my days off I have my 8-month-old baby at home, so when she naps I will do a quick 10-20 minute yoga session.
Then when I go to bed, I do a quick “wind down” 5-minute meditation and make it part of my bedtime routine. I think the key for me is trying to make these things a habit – otherwise, I won’t do them! What do you do to stay healthy, both physically and mentally?
I have a good GP who I see regularly and I don’t ever treat myself. I try to do yoga a few times a week – though I must admit I was far better at setting aside this time before a baby! I meditate daily and find time throughout my day for little mindful breaks. What would your message be to other women who may not be prioritizing their health and well-being?
Often, we are in caregiving roles – we cannot look after others if we aren’t looking after ourselves. “Prevention is better than cure”. It’s cliché but true! Time spent prioritising your mental and physical health is like an insurance for the future. Need a health check?
If you’re overdue for a health check, it’s time to turn things around. Book in today with one of our friendly doctors, who can assist with everything from skin checks to breast examinations, family planning, sexual screenings, and support for new mothers.