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From the Communications Director
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
Office on Women's Health (OWH)
"Worry is like a rocking chair—it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere."
— Unknown
With all of the news coverage of the economy, it's hard to let a day go by without a little bit of worry. From the stock market to housing prices to the job market and the cost of gas, most of us can't get a break from hearing about—and worrying about—financial stressors.
Stress can take on many different forms and can contribute to common problems, including headache, poor sleep, difficulty concentrating, short-temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, low morale, depression, and anxiety.
If you're feeling anxious or stressed about things you feel are out of your control, here are some tips that might help:
- Relax – It's important to unwind. Some ways include deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and massage therapy. If you can't do these things, take a few minutes to sit, listen to soothing music, or read a book.
- Make time for yourself – No matter how busy you are, try to set aside at least 15 minutes each day in your schedule to do something for yourself, like taking a bubble bath, going for a walk, or calling a friend.
- Sleep – Your stress could get worse if you don't get enough sleep. You also can't fight off sickness as well when you sleep poorly. With enough sleep, you can tackle your problems better and lower your risk for illness. Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
- Eat right – Try to fuel up with fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Good sources of protein can be peanut butter, chicken, or tuna salad. Eat whole-grains, such as wheat breads and wheat crackers.
- Get moving – Believe it or not, getting physical activity not only helps relieve your tense muscles, but helps your mood too! Your body makes certain chemicals, called endorphins, before and after you work out. They relieve stress and improve your mood.
- Get help from a therapist – Talking to a therapist can help you work through stress and find better ways to deal with problems.
When times are rough, take some time to share your concerns with your doctor, friends, and family. Come up with a plan that helps you cope with stress. You can take steps to feel better—even during challenging times. Share any concerns you might have with your doctor, friends, and family. Remember, there are steps you can take to feel better.
Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
Communications Director, Office on Women's Health, HHS
Featured Health Topic
A feature designed to help you find important health information on womenshealth.gov and girlshealth.gov
 Diabetes
November is American Diabetes Month®. Diabetes means that your blood sugar is too high. Too much sugar in the blood is not good for your health. Almost 24 million Americans have diabetes. The good news is that you can reduce the risk of getting diabetes with lifestyle changes.
Use these resources to learn more about diabetes:
How Can We Help You?
We get hundreds of e-mails from you every month. From thank you letters to serious health questions, we strive to reply with the most accurate and up-to-date health information.
Request of the Month:
We received an e-mail from someone who wanted to know how many grams of sugar per day is acceptable. She also wanted to know if we could offer suggestions on how to break a sugar addiction.
We told her that if she is unsure as to whether she is consuming too much sugar on a daily basis, it might be a good idea to consult with her doctor or a dietitian. A dietitian could counsel her on nutritional practices designed to prevent disease and promote good health.
We provided a list of online publications about healthy food practices and dietary guidelines which can assist her:
In addition we provided a list of organizations she could contact for further assistance.
Recipes
 | Looking for new ways to cook your Thanksgiving turkey this year? How about safety tips for handling the turkey before it’s cooked? If so, check out these resources from the FDA!
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Featured Organizations and Health Observances
These organizations can provide additional information on the topics featured in this month's newsletter. National hotlines are included where available for your convenience.
To keep track of upcoming health observances, visit National Health Observances and click on the month you wish to view.
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News from womenshealth.gov and the Office on Women's Health (OWH)
Order Your Free 2009 Women's Health Calendar
The 2009 womenshealth.gov calendar is now available to order! The calendar offers information about common health problems, including important symptoms to watch out for. There are charts that describe the screenings and immunizations that you need and tips on how to get a second opinion from a doctor, read a drug label, and more.
Reserve your copy today by calling us at 1-800-994-9662 (TDD: 1-888-220-5446).
The Healthy Woman - New Book Available Now!
The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages is now available to order online and will be in bookstores nationwide this fall. From the nation’s leaders in women’s health, the Guide covers a broad range of health topics affecting women of all ages.
Content includes:
- Recognizing signs of heart attack and stroke as well as understanding risk factors
- Preventing and managing type 2 diabetes
- Dealing with the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease
- Understanding the impact of chronic pain
- Learning how to care for your mental health
- Preparing your body for pregnancy and delivery
...and much more!
The Healthy Woman empowers women to take charge of their health by providing easy-to-read explanations, practical tips, charts showing which tests are needed and when, and resources for more information. In each chapter readers will find personal health stories from women all across the country. The book also features a glossary of terms and an index for easy reference.
In addition to consumers, The Healthy Woman will be an invaluable resource for health care professionals and public health officials who provide or recommend health resource materials to women and those who care about them.
Order your copy today!
The WOMAN Activity Tracker
We've listened to your feedback, and this year we are proud to announce a brand new program to help you stay active all year long: The WOMAN Activity Tracker!
Register or sign into the WOMAN Activity Tracker today!
Daily Updates from womenshealth.gov
Want daily updates from womenshealth.gov? Visit womenshealth.gov's Twitter site to get daily women's health news. We send you daily messages about happenings at womenshealth.gov, as well as information on a wide variety of women's health topics. It's a great way to stay plugged in!
Other News on Women's Health
Quick Health Data Online Monthly Spotlight
Every month Quick Health Data Online highlights topics of interest and relevant data available on their web site. November's spotlight is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
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