Health Issues Facing Millennial Women
As the millennial women age group approaches 40 it is time to start taking a deep dive into your health. It is time to look beyond the Instagramable salad or expensive boutique fitness memberships and really ask— Am I truly prioritizing my health?
According to Wellmark who looked at information obtained by Blue Cross Blue Shield, millennial women are about 20% less healthy than their male counterparts. Maybe this is due to stress with work, raising a family, or the fact that it is easier to put off preventative care than to fit it into your busy schedule. While it may be easier now, the long-term consequences of putting off preventative care whether it be doctor appointments, nutrition, or movement have dire consequences. This is the gap that healthcare is missing. Healthcare providers do not have the time to discuss lifestyle changes at length with patients due to high demand and productivity requirements. In turn, as a millennial patient, you often leave the doctor’s office with a handout on exercise and the Mediterranean diet.
The solution to this problem is education and sharing real, relatable, and sustainable lifestyle guidance for millennial women. Also, a crucial point is understanding that your health is solely your responsibility. We can start this discussion by talking about preventative care doctor appointments. Annual primary care, ob/gyn, dermatology, and twice-yearly dental cleanings are a great place to start. Understanding family history and the role it plays in your own health journey is also essential.
Nutrition comes next –this is a biggie for sure. So many millennial women are pursuing careers and do not have time to cook. Some may have never learned to cook and brought their college food habits into adulthood with them. Something I wish I could shout from the rooftops is that food is medicine. What you put into your body either serves you or hurts you. Knowing what foods to buy that provide your body with nutrients and energy is an essential step toward preventative care. Cooking is another skill that is critical to developing lasting health. You know exactly what gets put into your food– how much salt, sugar, butter, etc. When we eat out constantly it is essentially a guessing game. Start treating food like medicine and I promise your perspective will change.
As I write this next section all I can think of is “move ya body” by Nina Sky–anyone else? Movement is the next essential key to preventative care. In your 20s it is the easiest time in your life to get a fitness routine down–before the aches and pains of aging slow you down. Every body type is different and I encourage you all to do a mixture of workouts. I want to also be perfectly clear–working out is beyond losing weight. This is a mindset shift for our society that needs to take place. Exercise is there so you can destress, clear your mind, and manage anxiety. Exercise is important so you can chase your kids around in the backyard. Exercise is essential so you can develop and maintain self-confidence. There is no better time than now. Girl, let’s get moving. The most important type of exercise is one that you enjoy and commit to doing consistently.
The last issue I see facing millennial women is stress and confidence. In a systematic review, research showed that anxiety affects more women than men, and women under the age of 35 are disproportionally affected. Millennial women face many challenges when it comes to maintaining health, performing well at the workplace, and still coming home to a laundry list of responsibilities. The long list of roles that need to be filled by women is enough to cause anxiety. Learning how to manage this stress is your a critical step to take for your well-being. You could be working out and eating all the right foods, but unless your mind is at ease none of it really matters. Take a look at your life and think about where you can first eliminate unnecessary stress. Next, lean on your people. Who in your life can decrease your stress level—can you lean on a spouse more for house responsibilities? Finally, evaluate your workplace and start realizing what boundaries you need to set for your own mental health.
Sources
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/brb3.497
https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/the-health-of-millennials