Summer is over, the new school year is beginning, and it is a perfect time to brush up on our self-care habits. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as “individuals, families and communities promoting and maintaining their own health, preventing disease, and coping with illness and disability.” Taking care of yourself first is essential, and it can often be neglected in our everyday lives. Without giving yourself time and energy, it is impossible to put time and energy into others. It is important to practice self-care every day; you don’t take days off, so your self-care should not either.
Self-care helps manage stress and promote happiness. This does not have to be difficult or strenuous; simple changes to your everyday life can make all the difference! See the list below for a few small changes that you can make in your life to better practice self-care:
- Drink more water! Staying well-hydrated is a very important step of self-care that many people forget.
- Include more fruit & vegetables in your meals.
- Go for a walk/jog, attend a yoga class; get active your way! Exercise can give you more energy throughout the day.
- Exercise can also reduce the risk of developing health conditions like high blood pressure, heart attack, and mental ill-health.
- Create healthy sleeping habits. Monitor your sleep patterns and adjust as necessary. Having a good night’s sleep is the best way to start your day!
- Take short and frequent breaks during the day. Try to take a 5-10 minute break for every hour of work you complete.
Everyone can benefit from practicing self-care daily. Practice makes perfect, and you should practice being good to yourself! People need to be active agents in their own healthcare and make it a priority. According to the WHO, 4.3 billion people on Earth have inadequate access to essential facility-based health services. By taking care of ourselves, we can take pressure off our healthcare systems, and allow them to provide extra support where it is most needed.
Are you working full-time and looking for ways to improve your self-care habits at work? Check out First Bank’s blog on Employee Health and Fitness Month for tips on staying active in the workplace!