Say Yes to You: 10 Ways to Prioritise Your Health This Women's Health Week

Say Yes to You: 10 Ways to Prioritise Your Health This Women's Health Week

From 1–5 September 2025, Women’s Health Week invites women and gender-diverse people across Australia to pause, check in, and put their wellbeing first.

Women’s health has long been overlooked—both in research and in everyday life. Many common conditions, from endometriosis to heart disease, are still underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as “normal.” Historically, medical studies have centred on men, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of how symptoms and treatments can differ for women.

These gaps are compounded by structural inequalities, competing demands, and a healthcare system not always designed with women in mind. Many women navigate a constant balancing act of paid work, unpaid labour, and emotional care—roles shaped by societal expectations—which can push our personal health to the bottom of the list.

This year’s theme, “Say Yes to You”, is a reminder that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s a necessity. Prioritising your health means building the energy, strength, and resilience you need to thrive.

Here are 10 simple ways to say “yes” to yourself, inspired by this year’s daily themes.

Monday – “Every Check Matters”

1. Book (or rebook) your health screenings (you know, those ones you’ve put off)

When life gets busy, it’s easy to put routine health checks at the bottom of the list. But regular screenings can catch problems early—often before symptoms appear—giving you the best chance for simple, effective treatment.

2. Make a health check ‘to-do list’ 

Grab a notepad (or your phone) and list every check-up, test, and vaccine you’re due for—breast, cervical, dental, skin, eyes, blood pressure, blood tests, boosters. Then book them in, spacing them across the next few months. That way you’re not cramming everything into one week, and you can tick them off as you go.

Some checks you might want to keep in mind include:

• Breast screening: Free mammograms are available from age 40, and every 2 years for women and people aged 50–74 — but only about half of those eligible take up the offer, and participation is even lower among First Nations women. If you have a family history or higher risk, talk to your GP about whether you should start earlier.
  
  
• Cervical screening: 68% of people aged 25–74 are up to date with their 5-year HPV test — or 77% if we count all cervical screening tests. It’s already halved cervical cancer rates and deaths since 1991, it’s quick, and yes — you can even self-collect now!
  
  
• Sexual health checks: Regular STI testing matters if you’re sexually active with a new or multiple partners. Many infections don’t cause symptoms but can affect fertility and long-term health. Got concerns? Book that appointment!
  
  
• Hormones & menopause check-in: Perimenopause can start in your 40s (sometimes earlier), and those shifting hormones can impact everything from mood to heart health to bone strength. A GP or women’s health specialist can help track changes, manage symptoms, and protect your long-term wellbeing.
  
  
• Other checks: Think of these as your health’s pit crew: blood pressure, cholesterol, skin checks, and bone density scans all help keep your body running smoothly and catch problems before they become breakdowns.

Pro Tip: Set aside time to complete the list — then protect it. No interruptions, no pushing it back for other tasks. Make a cup of tea (or pour a glass of red), grab your laptop and phone, and treat booking those appointments like a non-negotiable work deadline or important family commitment. Future you will thank you — and so will everyone who loves you‍

Tuesday: Take the Lead

3. Request and read your test results

In Australia, you’re legally entitled to access your medical records, including test results. Many people assume that if they don’t get a call, everything must be fine — but it’s still worth checking for yourself.

Sometimes symptoms like fatigue, pain, or breathlessness can have causes that aren’t picked up by standard lab ranges, even if your results are reported as “normal.” Having your own copy means you can have more informed conversations with your healthcare team.

By requesting copies of your results and learning what the numbers mean for you, you can also track changes over time, ask more informed questions, and advocate for follow-up if something still doesn’t feel right. Your lived experience matters as much as the data!‍

4. Learn your rights as a patient

Modern healthcare is complex — and often rushed. Appointments can feel too short to ask all your questions, and systemic issues mean women’s symptoms sometimes aren’t fully investigated. That’s why knowing your rights is essential:

• You have the right to a second opinion — and it’s not “being difficult” to get one.
• You have the right to see and keep your own medical records.
• You have the right to be fully informed before any test, treatment, or procedure — including risks, alternatives, and expected outcomes.
• You have the right to ask questions until you understand — and to have information explained in plain language, not just medical jargon.
• You have the right to a support person with you during appointments or hospital stays (except in rare circumstances).
• You have the right to consent — or refuse — any test or treatment, and to change your mind.
• You have the right to culturally safe, respectful care, and to speak up if you feel this isn’t happening.

When you know what you’re entitled to, you can step into appointments as an equal partner in your care, rather than a passive recipient. Taking the lead means making decisions with your provider, not just following orders.

Pro Tip: Keep a personal health file — digital or paper — with your test results, scans, prescriptions, and specialist letters. Having everything in one place makes it easier to spot patterns, share information between providers, and get faster answers when something changes.

Wednesday: Heart Smart‍

5. Move in a way you actually enjoy

Not everyone wants to run a marathon, and that’s A-OK! Even gentle movement helps.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Australian women — killing more than 2 times as many women as breast cancer each year. And it’s not just an “older women” issue: risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, stress, and physical inactivity can affect you at any age.

The good news? Moving your body daily is one of the most powerful protectors for your heart. The trick is choosing something you’ll stick with — brisk walking, swimming, dancing in your kitchen, a weekend hike, or cycling to work. Even short bursts (three 10-minute walks) count.

6. Add a heart-healthy swap to your meals

You don’t have to overhaul your whole diet to support your heart. Small, consistent swaps make a difference:

• Leafy greens or legumes instead of chips at lunch
• Salmon, tuna, or tofu instead of processed meats
• A handful of nuts instead of sugary snacks

Why? Diets high in fibre and healthy fats and lower in salt and added sugar reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. For younger women, building these habits early sets you up for decades of protection; for older women, it can lower cholesterol, support healthy blood pressure, and improve energy.

7. Know the heart attack signs in women

For women, heart attack symptoms can be subtle — and too often, they’re overlooked or misdiagnosed. Studies show women are 50% more likely than men to be misdiagnosed after a heart attack, and more likely to be sent home from emergency departments without treatment.

Common signs in women include:

• Chest discomfort or pressure — but not always severe pain
• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, shoulder, upper back, or even the abdomen
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unusual fatigue, sometimes days or weeks before the attack
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Sweating that feels more like clamminess than exertion

How this differs from men:

• Men are more likely to have the “classic” crushing chest pain radiating down the left arm.
• Women are more likely to experience non-chest symptoms (such as fatigue, shortness of breath, jaw or back pain) — which can be mistaken for anxiety, indigestion, or muscle strain.
• Women’s symptoms can be more gradual or intermittent, making them easier to miss or dismiss until the heart attack is well underway.

The result? Delays in diagnosis and treatment can be deadly — every minute counts. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts, call triple zero (000), and say the words: “I think I’m having a heart attack.”

Pro Tip: Save the Heart Foundation’s “Warning Signs of a Heart Attack” page to your phone, and share it with friends and family. Knowing the symptoms before you need them can save precious minutes — and lives.

Thursday: Pain to Power

8. Listen to pain and fatigue — they’re not “just part of being a woman”

Pelvic pain, severe period cramps, migraines, and unexplained fatigue are common — but common doesn’t mean you should just put up with it. Research shows women’s pain is more likely to be underestimated and undertreated, with studies finding women wait significantly longer than men for pain relief in emergency departments. If something feels wrong, track your symptoms and push for answers. You are the expert on your own body.

9. Educate yourself about pain and pain management.

Pain is common — but for women, it’s often misunderstood or brushed off with over-the-counter treatments.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help in the moment, but they only work on certain pain pathways — mainly inflammation and pain-signalling chemicals (natural compounds that trigger pain and inflammation when tissue is injured). They don’t fix the cause, and frequent use can harm your liver (paracetamol), kidneys, or stomach lining (NSAIDs like ibuprofen). If you’re taking them more than a couple of times a week, it’s time to check in with your GP.

We now know pain isn’t just physical — it’s a biopsychosocial process involving your body, brain, and environment. When pain hangs around, it can cause central sensitisation — where your nervous system turns up the volume on pain signals.

That’s why a mix of strategies works best:

• Medications such as NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen), paracetamol, hormonal therapies, nerve-targeting medicines (e.g. gabapentin, pregabalin), antidepressants sometimes used for pain (e.g. amitriptyline, duloxetine), opioids for short-term or specific cases, or medicinal cannabis — always prescribed and reviewed by your doctor
• Physiotherapy to treat mechanical issues
• Heat, cold therapy, or acupuncture to calm nerve signals
• CBT and mindfulness to retrain pain responses
• Gradual exercise to rebuild strength and mobility

If your pain changes suddenly, worsens, or starts affecting work, sleep, or relationships, don’t wait. Early, personalised treatments can stop it from becoming harder to manage down the track.

Pro Tip: Keep a health journal that tracks your symptoms, pain scores, triggers, medications, and how they affect your daily life. Clear, documented evidence makes it easier for you and your healthcare team to see patterns, avoid delays, and choose the right treatment sooner.

Friday: Be Kind to Your Mind

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health — and the two are deeply intertwined. Stress, anxiety, and burnout can affect everything from your sleep and hormones to your immune response and heart health.

Small, consistent self-care steps can make a big difference:

• Take regular breaks—even just a few minutes to move, breathe, or stretch.
• Nurture your connections—stay in touch with people who make you feel supported.
• Set clear boundaries—with work, social media, and the people around you.
• Early support matters—if you notice changes in your mood, focus, or sleep, don’t hesitate to reach out to your GP or a mental health professional. Early help can speed up your recovery and prevent things from escalating.
  
  

Quick facts on women’s mental health in Australia:

• 1 in 2 Australian women are experiencing mental health issues right now, and almost 1 in 4 are dealing with severe conditions.
  
  
• 45% of Australian females have faced a mental health problem at some point in their life.
  
  
• Among women aged 15–44, anxiety disorders are the leading cause of ill health, second only to back issues in the next age bracket.

These numbers are a powerful reminder that you’re not alone — mental health challenges are common, valid, and deserve the same care and attention as any other health concern.

Pro Tip: Schedule regular mental well-being check-ins—just like you would a dental or physical health appointment. Whether it’s therapy, journaling, or time set aside for rest, putting self-care in your diary helps make it a real priority.

Your health is worth saying yes to — every day.

Women’s Health Week is your reminder to stop putting your wellbeing at the bottom of the list! Whether it’s booking overdue screenings, understanding your rights, moving your body in ways you enjoy, protecting your heart, managing pain, or tending to your mental health, every action adds up. Small, consistent steps now can mean more energy, fewer health scares, and more years doing what (and being with who) you love. So, this week and every week — say yes to you.

Need more support with your health?
Talk to one of our caring Hazel specialists today. Book now.