How Self-Care Benefits You and Your Family
Self-care gets a lot of attention these days, and for good reason! It’s important, especially if you want to be at 100% for your kids, spouse, and aging parents. If you’re not well, how can you be there when your son breaks an arm or your mom gets sick? Taking care of yourself gives you strength, makes you resilient and happier, and saves time and money. Any time you put into caring for yourself comes back to you in better health and ensures that you can be at your best! Let’s review a few ways self-care benefits you and your family.
What Does Self-Care Look Like?
Self-care can mean a lot of things, from what you do to keep in shape to how you manage stress. Here are a few ways people care for themselves:
- Exercise
- Eating well
- Getting enough sleep
- Spending time with friends
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
- Mental health
- Stress management
- Annual physical
These are just a few basic ways people take care of themselves. Some people need a creative outlet, like painting, knitting, or coloring, while others refill their tank through volunteering. The trick is figuring out what works for you to take care of your needs and better handle your stress.
Boost Strength and Resilience
Taking care of yourself gives you the strength and resilience to be there for your family for years to come. Life can present many challenges, such as losing your job or getting injured in a car accident. When you take care of yourself on a regular basis, you are better prepared for the hard times, so you can power through when the unexpected happens in your family.
Increase Happiness
People who take care of themselves physically and mentally are happier and more present with their spouse and kids. The concept of “happy wife — happy life” comes into play, because if one parent isn’t happy, chances are good that the kids will pick up on it. Each person bears the responsibility for their state of well-being. You’d be surprised at the impact some simple self-care activities will have on your mindset.
If you are not taking care of yourself, we will ask you why. Are you depressed? Overworked? How are you managing stress? Studies have linked stress to increased incidences of health issues. Over time, the physical response to stress affects your body and mind. Having an awareness of your stress response and mental state is important. Talk to your doctor about stress and how it may be affecting you physically as well as mentally.
Save Time and Money
While some people say they don’t have time to work out or go to the doctor, the fact is that being healthy saves time and money. Fewer trips to the doctor’s office could save you hours every year. And there’s no question that it’s cheaper to stay healthy! By committing to a lifetime of healthy practices, you may be able to prevent or delay some huge healthcare costs.
Regular checkups can catch some health issues before they get out of control. For example, blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and even dementia. That is why it is important to control blood pressure, either through lifestyle modifications, such as adding exercise and reducing dietary sodium, or through medications. Getting the tests and vaccinations you need can help you avoid more serious medical issues.
Increasing Your Self-Care
If you want to improve your life to benefit your family, think about the self-care activities that you would like to add to your routine. Even small amounts of walking, yoga, and meditation can be beneficial to you. One of the best times to discuss ideas is at your annual physical exam. Dr. Stemmerman and her staff may have some ideas that fit with your health goals. Need daily guidance and encouragement? Search for and download one of the many apps to learn more about these activities. Many of them can pop up a notification to encourage you to do your exercises or to take a few minutes to meditate. Want to stop smoking or lose weight? Visit with your doctor about safe weight loss and smoking cessation programs.
At Infinity Medical Clinic, we care about you and your well-being. Please let us know how we can help you identify and practice self-care activities that will keep you balanced and happy so you can enjoy life and all the joys and challenges it presents! Contact us today!
