As spring moves into full swing, we’re spending more time outdoors. Our readers tell us they want to stay fit, but are reluctant to exercise more frequently because they don’t want to destroy their hair style.  We would like to focus your attention of three articles within our Nutrition and Fitness Section of our website that will help you to jump start or maintain your fitness regimen.

• Workout, Stay Fit and STILL Have Great Hair -Our resident trichologist, Lisa Akbari shows you how to have fabulous hair while maintaining an active workout regimen. 
  
  
• Beginning With The Fitness B.A.S.I.C.S. discusses the importance of aerobic exercise and how to find out your
  
  
• Strength Training is an article that discusses why women of all ages need to incorporate strength training (i.e. exercising with weights) into their workout regimen.
  

Spring is also the peak season for asthma and allergy suffers. It’s the perfect time to educate yourself, friends, family and co-workers on these diseases and conditions.  You can learn more about allergies and how to recognize the warning signs  of asthma by reading these two articles:

• Asthma
  
  
• Taking Charge of Asthma and Allergies
  

May is also Mental Health Awareness month.  Mental Health is an important issue for black women.  All too frequently motherhood today finds women in matriarchal households, with the sole responsibility for the financial and emotional health sitting squarely on their shoulders.  Additionally, mothers today find themselves juggling the rigors of a demanding careers as well as taking on the responsibility of caregiver for an aging loved one.  The stress that results can be unhealthy and debilitating.  With this enormous burden on our shoulders, we need to find effective ways to address our mental health and wellness.   We are collaborating with Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association) in focusing on the importance of social connectedness; an essential component in maintaining and protecting mental health and wellness.  There are many ways of creating social connections that support mental health including:

• Getting connected to family and friends.
• Getting connected to your community and church to feel a sense of belonging and purpose.
• Getting connected to professional help to feel better when you’re stressed and having trouble coping.

To learn more about maintaining good mental health and getting connected to professional help, read our article on "Black Women and Mental Health" .

Now that Spring is here, use this as the month to jump start your fitness program.

To your best health,

David P. Pryor, MD, MPH
President and Founder

BlackWomensHealth.com