Take Responsibility for Your Health With Self-Care
By Paul Rothbart
With all the responsibilities people have each and every day, it's easy to get caught up in taking care of other people and other things and neglecting ourselves. Ultimately, your health is your responsibility. There are people who can help, but it's important to step up and engage in self-care. You are the best-qualified person to look after yourself on a daily basis.
Eat Healthily
Fast foods and processed meals may be convenient, but they are not at all healthy. Self-care starts with paying attention to your diet. Cut out excess sugar and saturated fats. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals. Don't forget antioxidants. These powerful plant compounds fight free radicals in the body that can damage cells and cause disease. You are what you eat is not just a saying. It's accurate.
Exercise Regularly
A sedentary lifestyle is an unhealthy one. Regular exercise can help keep you at a healthy weight, keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check, and help prevent heart disease and diabetes. Even a brisk 20-30-minute walk five days a week can make a huge difference. Finding the time to stay active is an important part of self-care.
Sleep Well
One of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle is good sleep. Many people don't get enough hours in an attempt to have more time to get things done. This is a mistake. Care for yourself and get the recommended 8-9 hours each night. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and cool to optimize sleep. This is not the right place to find extra time.
Engage Your Mind
Mental health is also part of self-care. Learning new skills can be very helpful in keeping the mind functioning at its best. Learn a new language, take a cooking class, learn to play an instrument. Doing puzzles of all kinds also improves cognitive function. Part of good mental health is managing stress. Practicing meditation or yoga can help you learn to clear your mind and relax your body. It's an excellent way to care for yourself.
See a Chiropractor
Regular checkups with health professionals are another important part of self-care. Chiropractic can be very helpful. Subluxations in the spine and joints can cause pain and limit mobility. Chiropractors can make adjustments that can relieve pain and help you stay active. Many chiropractic patients also find that they sleep and manage stress better. This can also improve your health.
When it comes to health, the best person to care for you is you. Live a healthy lifestyle and consider a visit to The Joint Chiropractic. You don't need an appointment. You may find that regularly seeing a chiropractor is a key component of self-care.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Vadnais Heights, Minn.