9 Worst Health Mistakes Women Make

If you aren't living life in the fast lane, what are you doing? Modern day women are expected to hit the gym, work overtime, take care of the family and maintain an amazing social life, all the while tweeting about how wonderfully busy they are. It's tiring just thinking about it.

As a result, good health is put on the backburner. Exhausting every last minute of the day until you're dead on your feet is seemingly far more important than making your general wellbeing number one priority.

Niggling health issues will soon appear if you don't treat your body to some TLC. Put yourself first by avoiding these common mistakes.

1. Not getting enough sleep

Who needs sleep when you can rely on coffee to get you through the day? One too many late nights/early mornings can have a serious impact on your body, more than you may realise. It leaves you unmotivated, lethargic, and at a higher risk of chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

If you struggle to clock-up the recommended 7-9 hours a night, you need to readdress your sleep hygiene, new mums included. It may seem impossible, but a good night's rest should be treated as a priority, not an afterthought. Avoid stimulants in the evening, cosy up in a quiet, dark, cool bedroom, and try to go to bed/get up at the same time each day.

2. Wearing heels

You may look fabulous in 6-inch stilettos, but did you know that donning killer heels on a regular basis can potentially cause nerve and bone damage, osteoarthritis and even spider veins?

Donning killer heels on a regular basis can potentially cause nerve and bone damage, osteoarthritis and even spider veins.

Where possible, ditch the heels and stick to the comfort and support of your trusted flats, or at least avoid wearing heels for more than a couple of hours at a time - it takes the pressure off your knees, and makes you less prone to wear and tear. Save strutting your stuff for a special occasion; your feet will thank you for it.

3. Neglecting your pearly whites

Unfortunately, your teeth aren't indestructible, and it's only with age, as aches/pains and a little yellowing starts to appear, that you wish you'd been more careful. Take preventive action and look after your pearly whites while they're in tiptop condition.

In Britain alone, a recent study revealed that "one quarter of adults don't brush the recommended two times a day" reports The Guardian ; despite the continued warnings that the inflammation caused by gum disease can potentially influence the behaviour of other tissues/organs, and in turn lead to other serious illnesses (like heart disease or diabetes). Ladies: brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, scrap the constant stream of sugary snacks/drinks, and remember to book regular check-ups at your dentist.

4. Skipping exercise

As we get older, exercise becomes less of a priority. You've careers to lead and families to look after - fitting a 45-minute gym session into your day is out of the question. However, regular exercise is crucial to staying fit and injury free. Too many nights spent on the settee, when you could be taking a walk or bike ride, can lead to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, back pain and osteoporosis, to name a few.  

Even if you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day, try your best to stay active.

Even if you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day, try your best to stay active. Be that 6am workouts, dog walking or teaching the kids to swim - every bit counts.

5. Not lifting heavy

Many women steer clear of heavy weights in the fear that they'll transform into a 280 lbs bodybuilder with muscles like Arnold Schwarzenegger.  But the truth is, if that isn't your goal and you aren't doing the specific training/taking the supplements to achieve this, then that will never happen.

Strength training should be an essential part of every woman's workout, and we're not talking dinky 8lbs barbells. The best way to tone-up, burn fat and sculpt your figure into amazing shape is by braving the 'big boy weights' and getting strong. Embrace compound movements: barbell squats, dumbbell lunges and seated cable rows, and look forward to lots of lovely compliments about your gorgeous new physique.  

6. Saving SPF for the beach

Whilst it's great that you're applying factor 30 on the beach, spare a thought for those super-sunny days when your skin goes unprotected. Not only does too much exposure to the sun leave your complexion dry, wrinkled and leathery; it also puts you at a higher risk of developing melanoma - the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Staying safe in a SPF-based moisturiser day-to-day is far more important than sun-kissed skin. Youthful, healthy skin is far better than a tan.

7. Emotional eating

We've all had one of those days that only a tub of chocolate ice-cream can save.  But if you're constantly turning to food as a means of comfort and stress-relief, things need to change.

Emotional eating is a quick-fix that can have serious repercussions on your health. It may help control your feelings in the moment, but it won't resolve the underlying issue, and will only leave you feeling guilty. Worse still, emotional eating can lead to further unhealthy diet habits and even obesity if you've an inability to stop bingeing. Pin down what your emotional triggers are and break the cycle. Using a diary, or switching to a healthier means of stress-relief like exercise or yoga can help too.

8. Ignoring stress

Even the most impressive multi-tasking superwomen need some 'me-time.'  If you're experiencing symptoms of stress - headaches, lethargy, insomnia - nip them in the bud before they spiral out of control. Tensions can easily mount-up and take their toll on your health which, when ignored, can lead to long term issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Take steps to alleviate the pressure. Identify triggers, list your problems and organise your time in a way that makes overwhelming tasks seem more manageable. In some cases, you just need to accept that certain things can't and won't change, and move forward. Above everything, your mental and physical health come first.

9. Skipping screenings and check-ups

Powering through the pain is never an option. Even if you aren't experiencing physical symptoms of a condition and feel like you're in perfect health; if you're scheduled for a screening or due for a check-up, always make the appointment. In the US alone, '8 million adult women who should be screened for cervical cancer haven’t had a check-up in the past five years' reports federal health officials. Screenings aren't pointless - in this instance, it enables doctors to detect any changes in the cervix and if caught early enough, can prevent cancer. You won't regret it.