It's a well-known fact that our health is our most valuable asset, and taking care of it is essential to our well-being. Explore our tips for taking better care of yourself.
- Eat healthy.
- Follow the recommendations of Canada’s Food Guide.
- Keep healthy snacks at hand to alleviate cravings (raw vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt or low-fat cheese, etc.).
- Chew your food well and rediscover the pleasure of eating slowly.
- Eat together as a family whenever possible.
- If you work long hours, set aside some time to eat well.
- Discover healthy new recipes.
- Stay physically active.
- If you have to work a lot, set aside some time to exercise or to practise a sport. This will really help to maintain your physical and mental health.
- If you are at home, add a daily physical activity to your schedule.
- Reconnect with a sport that you haven’t done in a while (walking, yoga, cycling, etc.).
- Outdoor activities will not only get you moving, they'll also provide you with fresh air.
- Consider purchasing equipment to exercise indoors (treadmill, stationary bicycle, etc.).
- Establish a sleep routine.
- If you work from home or are off work and feel like it, you can take naps. Make sure they don’t exceed 90 minutes, and take them before 3:00 p.m., so they don’t interfere with your nighttime sleep.
- Try to go to bed and to get up at about the same time every day.
- Review your bedtime routine.
- Reduce electronic device use, caffeine, alcohol and professional activities, or any other stimulating activities at least two hours before you go to bed.
- Choose relaxing activities like reading, meditating, listening to soft music, taking a bath, doing a puzzle, etc.
- Quit smoking
- Speak to your pharmacist for help in this process. Among other things, they could prescribe nicotine replacement therapy (e.g., chewing gum, lozenges, patches, etc.) or a prescription drug, such as varenicline or bupropion, to help you quit.
- Find out more. Visit the Tobacco-Free Quebec
- Find activities that can help you manage your cravings: walk, knit, read, play Sudoku, play sports, etc.
- Talk to your friends and family, who can support you in your efforts.
- Take care of your mental health on a daily basis
- Learn to better manage stress
- Live in the moment (“in the here and now”). Don’t dwell on the past and don’t project yourself in the future. Avoid brooding and anticipation.
- Provide daily acts of kindness (taking care of others). A kind thought or attention, a small gift, a pleasant surprise, a meal lovingly prepared, etc. It has been scientifically proven that taking care of others promotes mental health.
- Limit the use of electronic devices. Discover new hobbies!
- Focus on creativity and learning. Do you like to draw, paint, do crafts, play music or write? Would you like to learn a new language or play a musical instrument? It’s never too late to broaden your horizons.
Speak to your pharmacist for additional advice about how to maintain health.
