Taking care of your breasts should be just as important as taking care of your overall health. While mammograms and self-examinations are popular ways to look after your breasts, there are easier and home-friendly ways to tend to them too.
HealthShots provides five simple ways to maintain healthy breasts.
Wear the correct bra size
If you are not wearing the right bra size, you are not alone. It is a common mistake many women around the world make. To correct this error and keep your breast from sagging, prioritise wearing the correct sized bra.
Perform lymphatic massages around breast tissue
With lymphatic massages (different to regular breast massages), a pumping movement is done where the breast is moved using light pressure. The breast is then gently released, allowing it to return to its normal position. This easy-to-do massage can be beneficial for maintaining breast health.
Consume a healthy diet
By eating foods rich in antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals, you can simultaneously improve your breast health and prevent the onset of diseases, for example, cancer. Consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Gandhali Deorukhkar explains that grapes are rich in vitamins C and K, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants, all of which can help prevent chronic diseases.
Moisturise the skin around your areola
The areola is the dark-coloured skin surrounding the nipple. “A massage on your bust with a special sponge, glove or ice cubes wrapped in a cotton towel will stimulate circulation and the skin will be dripped and nourished, and it will gain flexibility and healthy beautiful packaging,” says Dr Deorukhkar. Almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or fenugreek oil can also be used to keep your nipples hydrated.
Do chest exercises
Doing yoga and chest exercises like cobra pose, traveling plank, pushups, and plank to name a few can keep your breasts firm, healthy, and prevent them from sagging.
Also see: 5 Reasons why your breast may hurt
