Not smoking is the single most important thing a woman can do for her health, according to Dr. Ann Zerr, IU School of Medicine (IUSM). Smoking can cause lung cancer, head and neck cancers, bladder cancer, emphysema and heart disease. Smoking increases the risk of osteoporosis.

She also advises women to set aside 15 to 30 minutes a day to promote their health. "Women must find time to do something they enjoy doing for themselves to maintain a healthy balance," said Zerr. This might include exercise, reading, meditation or prayer, or even uninterrupted time in the bathtub.