Photo special to Grandeur Magazine
It may sound simple, but women who take time to do something for themselves have lower stress levels and better overall health, says Dr. Ferber, who practices with Millennium Physician Group in Naples.
“Women tend to be the caretakers of their families and feel guilty taking time for themselves, but maintaining your appearance—including hair, clothes, skin and even makeup—can go a long way toward lowering stress and bolstering self-esteem,” she says.
The same goes for maintaining your health, she also says.
“Most women are pretty good at keeping up with their mammograms and pap smears, but they let things like a proper diet and exercise slide,” says Dr. Ferber. “A calcium deficiency or those extra 10 pounds could lead to bigger health problems.”
Taking a daily multivitamin, calcium supplement and fish oil requires almost no time and has long-lasting results, says Dr. Ferber. Getting enough sleep is also a big factor. “Many women are so crunched for time. We’re working and caring for our families and sometimes our parents. We’re pulled in all directions, and sleep helps us recharge,” says Dr. Ferber.
A yearly physical is something no woman should put off, especially as she nears menopause. “By age 30, a woman really should know her blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels and have a complete physical. If there are no problems, then you probably don’t need to do a full physical for another five years. If there are problems, then being pro-active can make a big difference,” says Dr. Ferber.
Women in the 30 to 40 age range also tend to neglect their exercise routines, says Dr. Ferber. “Women in this age group are likely not exercising the same as they did 10 years prior, but you really need to do some kind of cardio at least three days a week,” she says.
As women enter their forties and fifties, is especially important to maintain their physical appearance, in addition to their weight, she also says. “Neglecting your looks can hurt your self-esteem by making you appear to age faster than you might otherwise and, combined with high stress levels, could lead to depression.”
Taking time to have a social life and do something you enjoy also goes a long way toward decreasing stress and increasing self-esteem, says Dr. Ferber, who plays the piano and has sung with the Naples Philharmonic Chorale for over a decade. “I do music for myself, and that’s part of taking care of me,” she says. “How you choose to manage your stress really affects how you age.”
Stress management is also incredibly important when it comes to cardiovascular health. “Women are much more likely than men to have a heart attack under severe stress. The heart attack is not from blockages but from repeated spasms of the blood vessels due to a surge of adrenal hormones.”
Even more alarming is that symptoms of a heart attack in women—including nausea, a feeling like heart burn, shortness of breath and fatigue—are often not recognized, she says. “But women cannot ignore their health or let guilt keep them from taking care of themselves.”
The main takeaway? Don’t forget to take care of your health this year. Schedule your annual check-ups, your annual mammogram appointment and call your doctor if you have noticed new symptoms or health concerns. Make yourself the priority! Take care of your health.
About Kae Ferber, M.D.
Kae L. Ferber, M.D., earned her degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Ferber is a professional member of American College of Physicians, American Society of Internal Medicine, and American Medical Association. Dr. Ferber currently cares for patients in Naples, Florida. To learn more, visit www.MillenniumPhysician.com.