Wear Red, Take Action: The Self-Health Reminder We All Need
If you’re anything like me, your to-do list is a mile long, and somewhere near the bottom—scribbled in the margins or buried under “buy more toilet paper”—is something about taking care of yourself. You know, that annual checkup you keep meaning to schedule? The one that gets bumped every time a kid gets sick, a deadline looms, or life just… happens?
Well, today, I want you to move that to the top of the list.
Why? Because Cardiovascular Disease is the #1 Killer of Women.
Not stress. Not burnout. Not the mental load of remembering every birthday and keeping the family calendar running like a NASA mission control board. Heart disease.
And here’s the thing—it doesn’t always show up with dramatic, Hollywood-style chest clutching. Women’s heart attack symptoms can be subtle: fatigue, nausea, jaw pain, shortness of breath, dizziness. Symptoms that, let’s be honest, we brush off as just another Tuesday.
But ignoring them doesn’t make them go away.
Self-Health is More Than Self-Care
We talk a lot about self-care—bubble baths, wine nights, carving out time to breathe. And that’s all great. Truly. But self-care without self-health is like organizing your pantry while ignoring the leaking sink. Eventually, that neglected issue is going to cause real damage.
So let’s talk about intentional ways to care for yourself beyond face masks and meditation:
• Schedule That Checkup. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Now. If it’s been a while since you had your blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall health checked, let’s make that appointment. I know it’s scary. I know it’s inconvenient. But information is power.
• Know Your Numbers. Your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and BMI can tell you a lot about your risk factors. These numbers are not a judgment of your worth—just data points to help you make informed decisions.
• Listen to Your Body. That exhaustion you keep dismissing? That weird chest pressure? The way you feel “off” but can’t quite explain it? Don’t gaslight yourself into thinking it’s nothing. Women’s symptoms don’t always fit the “typical” heart attack mold, and too many women ignore them until it’s too late.
• Move Your Body Because You Love It, Not Because You Hate It. Exercise isn’t punishment for what you ate. It’s a way to strengthen your heart, clear your mind, and give yourself a little endorphin boost. Even a 10-minute walk is better than nothing.
• Eat in a Way That Supports Your Energy. Not in a way that makes you feel deprived or miserable. Nourish yourself like you would a child you love.
• Set Boundaries Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Might). Stress wreaks havoc on our hearts. Saying no, stepping back, and protecting your peace isn’t selfish—it’s survival.
Your Reminder: Information is Power
I get it. The idea of scheduling a checkup is not fun. No one wakes up thinking, You know what would really make my day? A trip to the doctor.
But here’s the deal—knowing is better than not knowing. Whether everything checks out great (yay!) or you catch something early (also yay, because now you can do something about it), information puts you in control.
So, let’s do this together. If you haven’t had a checkup in a while, consider this your sign to schedule one. Right now. Call, text, tap your doctor’s app—whatever it takes.
We deserve to take care of ourselves as diligently as we take care of everyone else.
