7 Health Tips for Women Who Want Better Health RN

As the wellness editor for The Everygirl, I’m constantly on the hunt for the very best health tips to bring you, my dear readers, to help you live your best, healthiest, and happiest lives. I was captivated by Dr. Taz’s mission to empower 1 million women to recover their health and well being.I knew I had no choice but to reach out to her for her best advice. Dr. Bhatia is a board-certified integrative medicine physician, a certified nutritionist, and a best-selling author. She’s made medical expert appearances on The Today Show  Good Morning America and calls herself “a champion of super women worldwide.” In other words? She’s a royal badass. 

“I think we all have unique gifts and powers, but stress, circumstances, and responsibilities can erode our ability to see or feel them,” she said. “When we are in our highest health, we attract abundance and uncover our superpowers.” I love Dr. Bhatia because she preaches that there’s a purpose to caring about your health beyond weight loss or because we’re supposed to. Being at our healthiest allows us to live the best life possible and reveal our true selves. Continue reading to discover seven things you could do right now to improve your health. 

1. Be in control, be aware of your body, and learn as much as you can

PSA: Your health is your #1 responsibility. Even with a team full of experts and doctors (more details below!You are the best advocate for your own health. Trust your instincts and fight to get what you need. Dr. Bhatia wants all women to know that they are in control of their health and that the way she treats her body and knows her body can determine her well-being. “Health is inYour control,” she said. “It’s important to understand hormone levels, nutritional status, and long-term health risks.” In other words, don’t just rely on your doctor to keep an eye out for what’s going on in your body. Educate yourself on the body’s basic functions and keep track of how certain foods make you feel. The most important thing is? Trust your body. Your body knows what it needs, so if it’s communicating to you (whether it’s through symptoms, cravings, or emotions), listen. 

2. Stop trying to “catch up” on sleep

If you’re sleeping five hours a night on weekdays with the plans of sleeping in until noon on Saturday, it’s not evening out like you hope. “There is no such thing as catching up on sleep,” Dr. Bhatia said. “Instead, get into bed at a consistent time every night (ideally before 11 p.m.) and sleep until 6 to 7 a.m., which helps the hormone axis and keeps hormone levels balanced.” Yes, getting enough Zzz’s is crucial for your health, but you should be getting enough sleep every night instead of aiming for a certain number of hours per week thinking you can “catch up” from shorter nights. To ensure optimal health, try to sleep in on weekends but get enough sleep during the week.

3. Rely on whole food

We’re all trying to improve our diets and eat healthier, but it’s not always easy (or else we’d all be eating salads for every meal and never be tempted by a Krispy Kreme donut), so I asked Dr. Bhatia for her #1 tip when it comes to healthy eating: What’s most important for our health and what changes will give us the biggest bang for our buck? Dr. Bhatia stated that the first step is to reduce sugar and processed foods. But it doesn’t have to be as restrictive or as difficult as cutting out all the foods we love (which can actually lead to bingeing and an unhealthy relationship with food!). The key is to eat more whole foods. This will make processed foods less appealing and give your body more nutrients. “Learning to rely on whole foods rather than foods in a box or a package can be a health game-changer,” she said. Make sure you eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and clean proteins. 

4. Varietate your exercise

So you’re a consistent runner or you love your daily barre class? Good for you for moving your body and prioritizing exercise, but if you’re looking to kick your health game up a notch, consider switching up your exercise routine. “Using different muscles and challenging your body is important,” Dr. Bhatia advised. “Sometimes, we focus just on cardio or muscle strength, but we have to take it all into consideration for balance.” If you’re a marathon runner and love a daily jog, consider taking a day off and adding some weight training into your routine. If you’re a gym rat who spends all your time in the weight room, consider throwing in some treadmill action from time to time. While working towards a goal is great and doing one type or another of exercise is great, we need to be challenged, strengthen our muscles, and be at our best. 

5. Start your supplement routine today

One of the most asked questions I get as both a wellness editor and a holistic health coach is, “What supplements should I be taking?” There’s no doubt that the supplement world is confusing AF: Between probiotics, collagen, vitamins, and countless brands with pretty packaging, it seems like a new brand or supplement comes out every day that many of us feel like we You are requiredTo achieve optimal health. Do we need to stock shelves with supplements and have a budget for the latest trends in health? The answer is no. Dr. Bhatia is universally recommended most women could benefit from taking a methylated B vitamin, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and magnesium, as these each help women’s health pathways, but since supplement needs vary based on body, diet, and health history, it’s important to come up with a personalized plan with your doctor.

6. You should create a medical team who works with you

Especially as women, many symptoms or issues go undiagnosed and untreated because of the fear that we’re being “dramatic” or because of a doctor who doesn’t take the time to listen. Dr. Bhatia emphasized the importance of seeking out new doctors, nutritionists specialists, and gynecologists until the care team that is right for you is formed. “If you’re struggling to diagnosis or identify symptoms, don’t give up,” she said. “It’sNot in your head!” You deserve a care team that makes your well-being and feelings their #1 priority, so search around until you find a doctor who gets you, listens to you, and trusts your opinion. Finding a doctor really is like dating to find “The One!” Oh, and IDK who needs to hear this, but no, it’s not just in your head. Yes, you do know what’s best for your body, and you can find a treatment, plan, or fix to anything that doesn’t feel right. 

7. Create a routine and a life you love.

“Restoring your health means crafting a life and routine where your energy flows and your mood is consistent,” Dr. Bhatia said. Your happiness is directly linked to your physical well-being. If you have a job that’s unfulfilling, are in a relationship that doesn’t make you happy, or live in a city you’re dying to get out of, it’ll show in your physical health. Self-confidence is as important as eating a healthy diet and getting eight hours sleep per night. Happiness is key to optimal health. “Health starts with you,” she advised. “How you feel about yourself is the vibration or rhythm of your life, so make choices from a place of abundance instead of lack or fear, and then just go for it!” Now that’sI trust the doctor’s advice.