As Women’s Health Month draws to a close, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the women we work alongside that are making positive strides in healthcare. Representing 67% of the global healthcare workforce and performing an estimated 76% of unpaid care, women are the backbone of healthcare¹. Putting it simply, there are a lot of women in the world caring for others, often prioritizing others over their own needs. 

Women’s Health Month, observed annually in May, spotlights the health challenges women face and underscores the importance of their well-being. It’s a time for action through health education, prevention, and self-care - be it cancer screenings and routine health exams, addressing depression or anxiety, or prioritizing regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep. 

As part of our journey to better ourselves and share resources, we spoke with Dr. Dolapo Babalola, who embodies the balance of health and wellness with a demanding career. Her practice, Living At Your Finest Wellness, is rooted in a nurturing desire and a holistic approach to medicine—integrating simple, daily wellness practices into life’s routine.

Long before starting her practice, Dr. Babalola knew she would follow a career of nurturing, as she always “had a heart for fellow human beings.” She’s the oldest of four children and her father was a Professor of Physiology, so she grew up caring for her family. The more she learned, the more interested she became in the body’s unique ability to heal itself. Throughout her medical journey, she saw a missing link between health and wellness, a gap in the consideration of the whole person. Following this path, Dr. Babalola found her way to lifestyle medicine. Through this approach, she takes a holistic view of health, and provides skills that can be integrated into everyday life, like eating one more veggie each day, or moving a bit more. 

“As women, we’re up against a lot; we take care of the home front, we have work, we have kids. We want to take care of ourselves, but we’re always in this nurturing stage, and we take care of other people first” Dr. Babalola shares. “Research shows that 80% of chronic diseases can be cured by lifestyle habits and behavior,” and taking care of oneself can result in remarkable positive change. 

Dr. Babalola emphasizes the societal pressures women face and the transformative power of self-care in preventing chronic diseases. She advocates for visible self-prioritization, especially for the younger generation, to prevent burnout and promote rest and reflection.

When it comes to women’s health, Dr. Babalola says, “it’s important for our young ladies to know that their moms or women in their lives are prioritizing their health and well-being because when they get older, if they don’t see that, they may feel like they need to work until they're burnt out, working continuously, not resting.” She makes it a point to be a role model for her own children, pausing to reflect, breathe, rest her body, and fill her cup, so that she can be her best self. She’s even helped her 74-year-old mother adopt these self-reflective, healthy practices - they recently went on a hike together, proving that it’s always the right time to begin prioritizing your health and wellness.  

Three Steps to Better Health

Not all changes have to be marathons. When asked for three small steps toward better health that we can all work toward, Dr. Babalola inspires us to start small:

1. Mindset Shift: Recognize your worthiness and be proactive in self-care. You’re more than a mother, a wife, a sister, a job; you’re worthy of the care you need. Know that you and you alone are the WHY, and there’s no need to wait. 
   
   
2. Progress Over Perfection: Celebrate small improvements in any aspect of health, even 1% better is progress.
   
   
3. Community Connection: Seek and nurture supportive relationships for collective well-being. We are social beings and we’ll thrive outside of isolation. Encourage each other to be the best version of yourselves. 

Dr. Babalola’s story is a reminder that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity for a healthy, balanced life. While Women’s Health Month comes and goes each year, we at Hint hope you’ll take her advice to continually embrace a mindset of worthiness, strive for progress, and cultivate a community for a healthier you. Join us as we take steps toward improving our holistic health, celebrating the women in our lives, and committing to nurturing ourselves with the same vigor as we care for others.

If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Babalola or her holistic practice, please visit: https://layfwellness.com. 

Source: 

1. World Health Organization