AskMyPharmacist: The Importance of Self-Care
Self-care is a crucial aspect of maintaining our overall health and wellbeing, encompassing both physical and mental aspects. Let’s delve into the reasons why self-care is essential and explore 5 ways to make it a priority this National Self Care Week (13th-19th November).
Self-care is key to maintaining our overall well-being. By intentionally taking time to address our physical, emotional, and mental health needs, we can strengthen our body and mind, reducing stress and preventing burnout.
Regular self-care practices contribute to improved mental health, increased productivity, and enhanced resilience. Ultimately, self-care is an investment in our own health and happiness, promoting a balanced and sustainable lifestyle. So how can we focus on self-care and improve our overall wellbeing?
1: Understand your overall physical health
Being proactive about our physical health is a form of self-care that can lead to a longer and healthier life.
Understanding our current state of physical health and how it can be improved can help us to make informed lifestyle choices, like maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and getting adequate sleep. It may also help identify potential health issues early, enabling intervention and treatment.
Healthimax is a new service by Smarta Healthcare, that approaches healthcare from a holistic standpoint.
The service uses comprehensive health check technology to analyse the body’s current state of health. A personalised dashboard provides a valuable insight into how well the body is functioning and highlights any areas that require improvement or treatment. The data is then analysed further by Smarta Healthcare professionals to provide expert advice about lifestyle adjustments, and even supplements and medicine that can help the user maximise their health and wellbeing.
This proactive approach to analysing and improving physical health not only promotes a longer and healthier life but also supports a better quality of life. By actively seeking ways to improve physical health, we can enhance our energy levels, immune function, and resilience to illness.
Find out more about Healthimax’s health checks here.
2. Prioritise your mental health
Too often mental health is considered secondary to physical health, when in reality, it’s just as vital to our wellbeing. Stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent in the modern world and can even manifest in physical ailments. Recognising the parity between mental and physical health underscores the importance of addressing mental well-being, reducing stigma, and promoting holistic approaches to healthcare.
A sound mental state contributes to effective decision-making, healthy relationships, and optimal functioning in daily activities. Engaging in activities like mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and spending time with loved ones can significantly contribute to better mental health.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, we can help. Book a confidential, virtual AskMyPharmacist consultation and speak with one of our healthcare professionals today.
3: Top up your Vitamin D
As the nights draw in and our exposure to sunlight decreases, understanding the important role vitamin D plays in our overall wellbeing is key to our self-care.
Vitamin D is a nutrient crucial for bone health, immune function, as well as overall wellbeing. It plays a vital role in regulating calcium and phosphorus absorption, aiding in the maintenance of strong bones and teeth.
Eating foods such as oily fish, red meat, liver, egg yolks, and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals boosts vitamin D production, however we don’t get sufficient vitamin D from food alone. Our skin produces vitamin D when it is exposed to UVB sunlight, however in the months between October and March, the scarcity of sunlight makes it challenging for the body to produce vitamin D.
That’s why we recommend taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D to help compensate for the lack of sunlight during Autumn and Winter. Take a look at our range of Vitamin D products here.
4. Boost your immune system
Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can provide essential vitamins and minerals that support a strong immune system. Nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and antioxidants play crucial roles in immune function. Our range of vitamins and dietary supplements can complement a balanced diet and make sure you’re receiving enough of these vital nutrients. Take a look at our range of products here.
Regular physical activity has also been linked to a bolstered immune system. Taking part in in moderate exercise, like walking or cycling, can enhance the circulation of immune cells.
Prioritising sufficient and quality sleep is vital for immune system function. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to allow the body to rest and repair, ensuring optimal immune response.
Managing stress through relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can also contribute to a healthier immune system. Chronic stress has been associated with suppressed immune function, so finding effective stress management strategies is essential.
Hydration is another simple yet important factor in supporting the immune system. Drinking an adequate amount of water helps to flush toxins from the body and maintain the proper function of immune cells. Staying well-hydrated is a fundamental aspect of overall health and immune resilience.
5. AskMyPharmacist
AskMyPharmacist is an award-winning, free health advice service run by Smarta Healthcare. Virtual video consultations with healthcare professionals allow patients to access expert health advice on a wide range of illnesses. Every Smarta Healthcare professional can provide valuable advice about medication, lifestyle improvements and local services that can improve a person’s wellbeing. Medication or health products can even be delivered direct to the patient.
AskMyPharmacist is available to help you focus on your own self-care. Whether you’d like to discuss your physical or mental health needs, if you’d like advice about dietary supplements and vitamins, or if you would like to know what help is available for your health condition.
Book your free consultation here
Self-care is a proactive choice that empowers you to take control of your overall health and wellbeing. Smarta Healthcare is here to help you make the most of your self-care journey to a healthier, happier you.
