It’s Women’s Health Week. The 2023 theme ‘Grow your knowledge’ is about supporting women to make informed decisions about health with effective information – something Windana fully gets behind! Right across our programs and services, we aim to support women and all people to set and work towards their own physical, social, emotional and mental health goals. This week, we had a chat with a Windana naturopath about how people can grow their health knowledge at any stage of their journey.

Hi! Why is it so important we acknowledge that our own health should be a priority?

I like to say “our bodies that we live in are the vessels in which we wander through our journey”. The more we can do to support our unique bodies and health, the more we can put energy into the things we love, whether that be family, friends, hobbies and passions. By caring for our own health, we can also inspire others around us – including family and friends – to live happy and healthy lives too. That in turn can encourage future generations to follow in our footsteps.

So how can we make sure we feel good about valuing our own health?

It’s common to sometimes experience a feeling of guilt when it comes to health – including when taking time to focus on our own health. The truth is, we need to practice compassion towards ourselves. This is the very first step towards health. It is a journey working towards a healthier version of ourselves, with many ups and downs, but it is always worth it. YOU are worth it.

Got it! How can people start to grow their knowledge around health?

Talk to your friendly naturopath! Naturopaths have a wealth of knowledge regarding health. They can help with personalised diet and lifestyle changes – they may be able to suggest resources relevant to your health and can answer questions you may have regarding your health (for more on naturopathy, you can check out Part 1 and Part 2 of a story about the role of naturopathy at Windana). 

Where else can women go to get the support and resources needed to make informed decisions around health?

There are so many sources of information out there. What matters is who is delivering the health information. Make sure you’re speaking with a qualified professional – such as a doctor, nutritionist, naturopath, acupuncturist, or a reputable organisation – and that they’re up-to-date with their qualifications. It’s important to approach information with both a healthy mind and a pinch of scepticism. And remember, the best source of health information is always a qualified health professional.

Windana is committed to delivering person-centred care across each client’s journey. Do you have any tips for how people can grow knowledge and make informed choices at different stages of their journey?

Yes!

• Keep an open mind regarding new treatments and therapies. Knowledge is power, so by knowing what services are available to you is the first step. 
• Try something new! Never seen an osteopath? Why not book in! Not sure what a Naturopath is? Ask! Generally, health professionals are very friendly and want to help you work towards your health goals. 
• Make a call to a qualified health practitioner. They can help you continue working towards your health goals.
• Keep in mind, health is not always linear. As you continue through your journey you may find some therapies work better for you than others. That’s normal. Change takes time.

More information

Below are some hotlines and services you can reach out to, keep in mind or share with a friend.

WIRE
Free support, referrals and information on any issue for women, non-binary and gender diverse people in Victoria.
PH: 1300 134 130
www.wire.org.au

Lifeline
24-hour crisis support for anyone.
PH: 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au

Q Life Australia
QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
PH: 1800 184 527
www.qlife.org.au

Here are a selection of information sources and agencies you can check out for ideas on growing your knowledge, and for promoting women’s health in general.

• Women’s Health Week (official campaign website)
• Windana’s Community Clinic (where anyone can access natural therapies including acupuncture, naturopathy and osteopathy)
• Better Health Victoria (information for Victorians around many health topics)
• Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health