Health & Beauty Tips for Women

Looking and feeling your best boosts your self-confidence and self-esteem. Leading an unhealthy lifestyle may not only effect the way you feel, but also the way you look. You subject yourself to diseases and may suffer from skin problems. There are many things you can do on a daily basis to help improve your health and make the most of your looks.

Checkups

• To maintain good health, make regular visits to your doctor's office to determine whether certain screening tests are needed. According to the American Heart Association, the main leading cause of death in women is heart disease such as a stroke and heart attack. Get cholesterol and blood pressure tests every two years, or as recommended by your doctor. Breast cancer is another leading cause of death, and early detection is essential for a successful recovery. Yearly mammograms, starting at age 40, can be lifesavers. Other screenings worth considering include those for general health, diabetes, bone health and HIV.

Diet and Exercise

• Get regular exercise and eat a healthy diet to help maintain your weight and reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and colon cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adult women perform strength training exercises two days a week and aerobic exercise for 150 minutes, spread over seven days of the week. Eat a balanced diet with carbohydrates, such as whole-grains, vegetables and fruits, for energy. Include protein, such as fish, chicken and legumes, to maintain and repair muscle tissue. Get fat from unsaturated sources such as olive oil and canola oil.

Facial Care

• To maintain healthy facial skin, apply sunscreen daily. Apply a lip balm with SPF on your lips because this is where some of your body's thinnest skin is. Nip aging in the bud by applying an anti-aging cream daily, as early as 20 years old. Look for a retinoid cream that contains vitamin A to help promote cell renewal and collagen production. If you use multiple lotions or serums on your facial skin, wait at least five minutes in between each one, when applying them, otherwise one may lessen the effect of the other one.

Body Care

• As you age, skin renewal slows down. To maintain smooth skin, exfoliate your body. Removing dead skin cells promotes circulation and allows better absorption of body lotions. Scrub your skin at least twice a week. If you live in a warm climate, dead skin cells accumulate faster and you may want to scrub more often. Apply body wash to an exfoliating glove or a loofah and scrub your body in a circular motion. You can also use a scrub solution on its own. Apply a moisturizing body lotion afterward.