Viva Mama!

May is the month we celebrate moms, and so our May issue focuses on women’s health—something I barely thought about in my youth. Back then I felt invincible. I could eat just about anything and never worried about the repercussions. But now, as a mature woman, I have more doctor visits on my calendar, and I am hyperaware of just about anything that seems amiss. Too much worrying about this stuff isn’t helpful either; stress causes a whole host of physiological issues. Our feature article, “Integrative Women’s Wellness,” is a noteworthy read, as it brings us up to date on five main diseases affecting women and how to prevent them. Steps as simple as taking turmeric or eating wild-caught fish can help us stave off certain illnesses and live longer healthier lives.

The life expectancy for women in America is 81 years old; for men, it’s 77. Globally it’s 75 years old for women and 70 for men. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, we will probably see a decrease in longevity worldwide. I am blessed to have a mother who is 92 and in superb physical health, but sadly dementia has robbed her brain. She never smoked, maintained a healthy weight, ate nutritious food, and was very involved with friends, music, theater, and reading. Could she have done more to prevent this disease? My family will never know, but maybe we can look for the answers to help ourselves.

With every issue of Natural Awakenings and this one, in particular, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge you can incorporate into your life to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Enjoying a green smoothie every morning after your workout, reserving a few minutes for a midday meditation session, adding nuts to your diet as your new snack food, or buying nontoxic cookware and cleaners—all these habits are great ways to start.

As careful as I am about what I put in my system, I know there’s always more I can do. Reading this month’s feature article and others helps keep my mind grounded and my eyes on the future—where I want to be 10, 20, 30 years down the road. I want to be as active and lucid as possible and to be around to see my kids get married and have children. Whatever it takes in this thing called life, we have one chance to try and get it right. 

Have a blessed Mother’s Day filled with love, health, and family!

Cyrece