As a collegiette, keeping yourself healthy is always at the top of your mind—but it’s not always the easiest task to achieve. Between late nights at the library and your average weekend debauchery, the stress that comes with college life can get in the way of getting optimum sleep, exercise and a good diet.
No matter where you are in life—whether you’ll be starting college in the fall or you’re graduating this year—there are ways to take your health into your own hands and make it a priority. May 10 to 16 is National Women’s Health Week. Her Campus is proud to be an official partner for the third year in a row and Her Campus co-founders Annie, Stephanie, and Windsor are National Women’s Health Week ambassadors!
With so many components to staying healthy, getting yourself on the right track can feel intimidating. And the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, which leads NWHW, know this—so they’ve outlined easy steps you can take based on your age group. To maintain your healthiest you in your twenties, you should pledge to:
- Schedule your annual well-woman visit on National Women’s Checkup Day
- Eat healthy, and maintain a healthy weight
- Get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily
- Quit smoking—or don’t start
- Get a seasonal flu shot
- Choose a birth control that suits you if you are sexually active
- Get your HPV vaccinations
- Talk to your doctor about when you should be doing a Pap test
- And more!
Keeping yourself in good shape isn’t the only way you can recognize this important week—empower the women around you to make their health a priority, too! Since health steps are outlined for every age group up to your 90s, you can send tips to your mom, grandma, older sister and others. Or, spread the message on your social media accounts via the NWHW’s Thunderclap, or by posting one of their prewritten messages on Facebook or Twitter.
Collegiettes, it’s time to prioritize your health! For more information on how to stay healthy and how to get involved, visit the National Women’s Health Week website!