January 1, 2021

The start of the new year presents new opportunities to prioritize your health and well-being. As women, we tend to prioritize our families, jobs, and other commitments over our health1. As we start 2021, the FDA Office of Women’s Health (OWH) encourages you to focus on these key aspects of your lives.

Schedule Medical Appointments & Exams
Each year, there are important medical appointments and exams that you’ll need to schedule. For example, some women may need an annual mammogram to screen for breast cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider about which annual appointments and exams are right for you. 

Make Healthy Food Choices 
Nutrition is essential to maintaining your health and managing health conditions. Learn more about diabetes management and nutrition  from OWH Director Kaveeta Vasisht, M.D., Pharm.D. and CFSAN Director Susan Mayne, Ph.D. here. You can find important food safety tips for you and your family, information about the new nutrition label, and more on FDA.gov.

Maintain an Active Lifestyle
There are many ways to stay active indoors and outdoors this year. Some of the top activities include biking, yoga, dancing, and walking. Learn more about healthy aging here.

Focus on Your Mental Health
These challenging times can take a toll on your mental health. Some ways to stay mentally healthy include taking deep breaths, stretching, or meditating. Remember, if you’re experiencing symptoms of depression such as feeling sad, feeling guilty, or having trouble paying attention for more than two weeks, talk to your healthcare provider. Get more information on depression here. 

• 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3799261/