A day-to-day priority for some, wishful thinking for others, the art of caring for oneself is something that is nurtured. Here is how you can take simple steps to achieve this.
aking care of oneself means—eating and sleeping well.
Your health and well-being depend particularly on the quality of your diet and of sleep. The body constantly needs to nourish itself, but it also needs to rest. By maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and healthy sleep habits, you enable your body to stay at the peak of its form. This, in turn, improves vitality, energy, and quality of life.
Taking care of oneself means—exercising.
Physical activity helps to reduce stress, while offering other health benefits. It affects mood and stimulates self-esteem. Try to allocate at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day by walking, dancing or running, or by practising a sport such as tennis, cycling, or swimming. You will be proud of your efforts and of the results you obtain!
Taking care of oneself means—refraining from smoking.
A great number of smokers consider smoking to be one of the best ways to relax and take care of themselves. When a person smokes, the brain secretes a substance called dopamine, which produces a feeling of pleasure, relaxation, and contentment related to smoking. Therefore, it is normal for individuals to have the impression that they are “taking some time for themselves” when they take some time to smoke.
In reality, smoking is an addiction which is extremely harmful to health. If you are a smoker, you would definitely benefit from quitting smoking and turning to healthier ways to enjoy life. Pharmacists can help you in the smoking cessation process, so speak to one as soon as possible!
Taking care of oneself means—managing stress.
Stress is not necessarily a problem, as it is perfectly normal to feel stressed from time to time. In some cases, stress can be a motivator to find solutions, make appropriate changes, and achieve better results. However, ongoing or mismanaged stress can cause a number of problems from a mental health and physical perspective, among others.
To combat stress, it is important to identify its causes and try to remedy the situation. This process is undoubtedly an excellent way to take care of oneself. From this perspective, it is clearly beneficial to set aside some time each day to enjoy yourself and relax, to limit the repercussions of stress that can be avoided.
For additional information on the ways to take care of oneself, we recommend that you read the following texts:
- All you need to know about nutrition
- Break the cycle of insomnia
- Physical activity: a sound investment for health capital
- Smoking cessation : find your reasons, find your motivation!
- Stress—its repercussions on health and the ways to limit it
Remember that healthcare professionals, including your pharmacist, are also your allies, who take your well-being to heart. Don’t hesitate to call upon their expertise, support, and advice as often as possible. That is also what the art of taking care of oneself is about!