Women’s Health: What It Is And Why It Matters

Elevating women’s wellbeing:

• Women's health encompasses many aspects of wellbeing, from mental and reproductive health to bone, heart and preventive health.
• A range of factors can influence women's health and wellbeing, including age, genetics, lifestyle habits and life stage.
• Small, consistent habits such as regular movement, quality sleep, balanced nutrition and health checks can help support wellbeing over time.
• Women's Health Week is a great opportunity to check in with your health and build positive habits that can support long-term wellbeing.

Women’s health is about more than a single life stage, symptom or health goal. It includes different parts of wellbeing - from hormonal, health and nutrition to movement, sleep and mental wellbeing. While health needs can change over time, taking small, consistent steps to support your wellbeing can make a meaningful difference at every stage of life. 

Women’s Health Week is a reminder to pause and check in with your health, but looking after yourself doesn’t need to be limited to one week of the year. Understanding what women’s health is, the factors that can influence it and the habits that may support it is an important part of making informed decisions about your wellbeing. Women’s Health Week is the time to put ourselves first, for just one week, to start making positive changes that can last a lifetime!

What does women’s health include?

Women's wellness is about more than a single aspect of wellbeing. It includes physical, mental and social wellbeing, and can be influenced by a range of biological, lifestyle and environmental factors throughout life¹.

Some of the key areas include: 

• Mental wellbeing: Emotional and mental health are important parts of overall wellness and can influence quality of life across different life stages².
• Preventive health: Regular health checks and screening can help women stay informed about their health and support early intervention where needed².
• Sexual and reproductive health: Reproductive health needs can change throughout life, from menstruation and fertility through to perimenopause and menopause¹ ².
• Bone and heart health: Looking after bone and cardiovascular health is an important part of healthy ageing and long-term wellbeing².
• Healthy lifestyle habits: Regular movement, nutritious eating, quality sleep and stress management can all play a role in supporting overall health and wellbeing³.

Why is women’s health important?

Good health can influence many aspects of daily life, from energy levels and sleep to mood and movement¹. Looking after women's health and wellbeing can also help support healthy ageing and encourage a proactive approach to health through different life stages4.

What affects women’s health?

Many factors can influence women's health and wellbeing, some of which are within our control and others that are not. Things such as age, genetics and life stage can all play a role in shaping health needs over time¹. However, everyday habits and lifestyle factors can make a difference to overall wellbeing².

How to support your health and wellbeing beyond women’s health week

Women's Health Week can be a helpful reminder to check in with your body and mind, but you can also do this year-round. Small, consistent habits can be a great way to build a sustainable health-focused routine. 

If you're looking for simple Women's Health Week ideas, consider addressing one focus area at a time. This might mean scheduling a health check, finding more opportunities to move throughout the day, prioritising sleep, trying a new healthy recipe or setting aside time to connect with friends and family. The goal isn't perfection. 

Here are two areas to start making positive changes that can last a lifetime. 

Make movement part of your routine

Thirty minutes of exercise per day is the recommended amount3 and can provide a range of different health benefits. There are many different ways to achieve this; according to the Australian National Physical Activity Guidelines5, three 10-minute activity sessions are just as effective as 30 minutes of continuous exercise.

Make the most of your everyday activities and get creative! Think of movement as an opportunity and not an inconvenience:

• Join/start a walking group to walk around the park
• Take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator
• Stop hunting for a parking spot near the entrance to the shops – park further away and walk the extra distance
• Try a new physical activity with friends (yoga, Zumba, tai chi) instead of catching up for a coffee

Set wellbeing goals

Setting some short-term goals that work towards your long-term goals will help to keep you motivated. Pinpoint your ultimate goal/s and work backwards to find out how to achieve them through small, specific mini-challenges. Monitor your progress regularly and be prepared to be flexible, so you can adapt to any changes you may experience along the way.

The most important rule is not to be too hard on yourself; the first few months of a new exercise program are always the most challenging – adjust, persist and have fun.

Find the right tools to support your wellbeing

Here are our favourite movement tools and tips to help keep you running on the right path:

• Create the ultimate workout playlist: having great, high-energy music won’t make you a marathon runner, but it can help keep you moving toward the finish line with determination.
• Pedometers and heart rate monitors: affordable and user-friendly to measure your steps and heart rate accurately.
• Weekly activity diary: helps you to become more aware of your activity needs and the importance of not trying to fit too much in.
• Track and train with great mobile apps: nowadays smartphones aren’t just for listening to music. Fitness apps can serve as great motivators and hold you accountable for your fitness journey.

So, get motivated and get moving. As well as many documented physical health benefits6, exercise releases endorphins6, which can help emotional balance and positive mood, and promote overall feelings of wellbeing. What more reason do you need to put you and your fitness first?

Want to read more? Check out the Swisse Wellness Hub for more articles on women’s health, like a guide to women’s multivitamins and a guide to different hormones during your menstrual cycle. 

References:

1. World Health Organisation. (n.d.). Women's health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/women-s-health
2. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2020). National Women's Health Strategy 2020–2030. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-womens-health-strategy-2020-2030
3. Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Physical activity – it's important. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/physical-activity-its-important
4. Jean Hailes for Women's Health. (n.d.). Healthy Ageing Hub. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/healthy-ageing-hub/
5. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (n.d.). 24-hour movement guidelines for all Australians. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity/24-hour-movement-guidelines-for-all-australians
6. World Health Organization. (2024). Physical activity. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity