One of the key pieces of information flight attendants share during their pre-flight safety instructions is that if the air masks come down during an emergency, you should secure your own before helping others. That’s because you have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of others—advice that extends to your overall health and wellness. It’s Women’s Health Week, a great reminder to put yourself first by taking steps to improve your well-being. Here are a few ideas to help.
Schedule Medical Appointments
The pandemic caused many of us to delay or cancel many routine health appointments, from screenings to physicals, eye and dental appointments and more. If you are behind, or if you’ve been ignoring small health concerns, now is the time to get caught up. Block out time on your calendar this week to make calls and schedule appointments. Remember, catching potential problems early leads to better outcomes and avoiding bigger issues down the road.
Take a Mental Health Break
We know you have a lot on your plate, but sometimes in order to keep going, you actually have to stop. Make it a priority to allow some time for self-care every day. Whether it’s a warm bath before bed, reading a chapter in a book, watching a funny show or journaling, try to pick an activity that’s only about you. Walking the dog (and picking up any deposits) can be relaxing, but it’s more about taking care of your dog than yourself. You’ll be amazed how rejuvenating true “me-time” can be.
Get Moving
If exercise were a medication that could be prescribed, it would be hard to keep up with the demand. That’s because physical activity benefits every system in your body. We know it can be hard to find the time, but you’ll find that the more you move, the more energy you’ll have. Whether you sneak it into your day by walking the kids to school, gardening or playing with the dog, as little as 30 minutes of activity a day will give you both a physical and mental lift.
Ask for Help
Taking care of a home, maintaining a career (and possibly a side hustle), caring for kids or elderly relatives and of course, taking care of yourself…all these things can quickly become overwhelming. This can result in you dropping the last item from the list, which will only worsen the problem.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help—from your partner, kids, family, friends, colleagues, health care professionals or others. You may be surprised how willing people are if you only ask. That includes us. We have solutions that can save you time and aggravation, including online refills, free prescription delivery and innovative medication management services. And all you have to do is ask.