Balancing Staying Active for Women

With everything women balance, it can be difficult for them to find ways to stay active. However, while you’re working on your career, passions, and focusing on loved ones, it’s also vital that you find those moments to work on your physical health. 

Our experts are giving tips for balancing staying active for women. 

Shift Priorities to Balancing Staying Active for Women

Staying active is essential for remaining healthy, managing stress, boosting your immune system, and many other benefits. Physicians recommend getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. If you’re able to, shift priorities around to make time for staying active. Try to schedule everything else around when you know you’ll have time to go to the gym or go running. If you make exercising your number one priority, then it’ll be much easier to find the time to do it. 

Look for Exercise in the Daily Moments 

If you’re too swamped to carve out the time to do daily workouts, then find ways to sneak in exercises. If you’re tidying up your home, add some squats or weight lifting exercises as you move from place to place. Going shopping or meeting someone out? Park further away to increase your steps for the day! Find moments to get up and stretch during work or to take a short lap around the block. These small ways to stay active can keep yourself healthy and happy. 

Find Something You Love and Stick With It

If you’re having a hard time being motivated to exercise, it might just be because you haven’t found the right type yet! If you’re forcing yourself to run and hate it, no wonder it’s a big ordeal to get yourself out the door to do it. 

Experiment with new types of exercise! Try dancing with guided classes. Give weight lifting a chance. Maybe attempt to do cycling. The possibilities are endless! 

Ask for Friends To Work Out With You

If you have a lot going on and don’t have enough time for your loved ones, sneak in time with them by asking them to work out with you! That way you get to be with your friends or family and you also get in exercise that’s great for your health! 

If you have any more questions about balancing staying active for women, reach out to our experts by clicking here or giving us a call at 770-385-8954. 

Struggling with Mental Health? Here’s How to Get Help

People can struggle with their mental health at any point in their lives—whether there seems to be a reason or not—multiple times throughout their life.

Experiencing anxiety and/or depression can be unbearable. If this resonates with you, the experts at Covington Women’s Health Specialists are sharing tips for those struggling with mental health.

Speak With a Professional 

Our most important tip is to schedule time to speak with a professional psychologist or therapist. These experts will be able to give you guidance on how to manage your specific mental problems, and they’ll always be there for you during the more difficult times with professional advice and tips. 

The good news is that many local places are offering virtual visits. Search around to see if you find a therapist that will work well with your preferences and schedule. 

Self-Care Methods and De-Stressing 

Negative mental health can often be a byproduct of stressful situations. If that’s the case for you, it probably means you’re in dire need of time to relax. Here are some of our favorite ways to destress and take care of yourself. 

  • Journaling: Writing down your struggles and thoughts can help you navigate experiences when it gets to be too much. Also, practice gratitude journaling to help remind yourself to look at the positive during difficult times. 
  • Physical care: There’s nothing like stepping into a hot bath to relax. Or maybe you love to get a massage and facial done. Either way, don’t feel guilty for indulging in taking care of yourself physically. Whether that means spending some time and money at a spa or just carving out time to do your nails at home, do it, especially if it helps your mental health. 

Work on Other Healthy Habits Too 

It can be tempting to leave behind other healthy habits when you’re struggling with mental health. But sticking with exercise and eating healthy can make a huge difference in your happiness levels. As difficult as it can be, make sure you’re still going outside to work out and that you’re still pilling your plate high with fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Lean on Loved Ones 

During our most difficult days, our loved ones can really be an extra layer of support and love. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends and family and let them know what’s going on with you. They’ll be there to give you advice, let you vent, or whatever else you might need from them. 

If you’d like more tips or additional help if you’re struggling with mental health, reach out to our experts by clicking here or giving us a call at 770-385-8954. 

Questions About The COVID-19 Vaccine As A Pregnant Woman? Read This!

If you’re a pregnant woman with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, we understand your worries and concern. However, Covington Women’s Health Specialists is here with information to answer any questions you may have and bring reassurance. 

Protect yourself and your baby by getting the COVID-19 vaccination.  Our very own Dr. Samuels received her first COVID-19 vaccination when she was 27 weeks pregnant and her second vaccination when she was 30 weeks. She is participating in a study that monitors pregnancy outcomes for women who are vaccinated during their pregnancies. The study results will help us all! 

Covington Women’s Health Specialist Dr. Samuels is pregnant and recently received the COVID-19 vaccination.

  • The physicians of Covington Women’s Health Specialists (CWHS), the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), The March of Dimes, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that COVID-19 vaccines should be administered to pregnant individuals who meet the criteria for vaccination. 
  • People considering a COVID-19 vaccination should have access to available information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, including being advised that the vaccine safety studies did not include pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.  
  • Important things for you to consider are:
    • the number of people with COVID-19 infection in your community
    • the effectiveness of the vaccine which provides 50% protection after one dose and 95% protection after two doses
    • the risk that the COVID-19 virus may cause an illness for you which may have effects on you, your fetus, and/or your newborn
    • the safety of the vaccine for pregnant patients and their fetuses which have not been studied, however since the vaccine does not contain a “live” virus, it is considered safe as are other vaccines that do not contain a “live” virus
  • Additionally, being a messenger RNA vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine does not enter the area where the DNA is and therefore cannot cause genetic changes in DNA to occur
  • Pregnant patients who decline COVID-19 vaccination should be supported in their decision. These patients as all people should perform other prevention measures such as hand washing, physical distancing, and wearing a mask.

COVID-19 Infection poses a greater risk in pregnancy:

  • In other words, if you cannot breathe, your baby will suffer!
  • Studies show that pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection are at increased risk of more severe illnesses compared with nonpregnant patients. Pregnant women face an increased risk of ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and death compared to patients who are not pregnant. 
  • If you are pregnant, protect yourself and your baby now by performing prevention measures such as hand washing, physical distancing, and wearing an N95 mask.
  • Please also get your flu shot because the SAME logic and warnings apply.

If you have any more questions about the COVID-19 vaccine as a pregnant woman, our staff are here to help. Reach out to our experts by clicking here or giving us a call at 770-385-8954. 

Covington Women’s Health Specialists Wins Award From Best of Newton

Covington Women’s Health Specialists was voted the Best Obstetrics & Gynecology in the 2021 Best of Newton Award! 

Every year Newton County residents nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses with The Covington News. The categories are in the community, auto and transportation, education, medical, professionals, business and food and beverage industries.

“We are extremely proud of our team to be acknowledged for their quality care, “ Dr. Cathy T. Larrimore said. “This recognition is extremely meaningful after this year. We are so grateful for our wonderful patients’ support during the pandemic and their trust in us.”

Thank you to everyone who voted for Covington Women’s Health Specialists. We are honored to serve you and our community!