Has self-care become the new health initiative? Self-care is defined as:
the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health.
the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
The search for physical fitness, real organic foods, health coaching, and stress management are all on the rise. The question is, are we simply taking old ideas and implementing them into a new age? Farmers, for instance, were known for hard work (physical fitness), eating organic foods (personal and nearby crops), and a fairly consistent sleep schedule (stress management).
Now, we have CrossFit, HIIT, Spin, and numerous other methods for our physical fitness. We shop at Whole Foods, Sprouts, or local organic-based markets. We research the latest bed technologies while utilizing wearables like Whoop, Fitbit,
or Oura to track our sleep quality. Virtual house calls through telemedicine platforms like SteadyMD, Psyalive, and Doxy.me give us direct access to physicians in our home.
No matter how one views self-care, there are some foundational pieces that hold true.
Know and understand YOUR body
Search for a Doctor that has the same or close to the same mindset as you do. Find one that is a true Health Coach and not just a pharmaceutical rep.
Food is medicine. It can also be poison. Do your nutrition homework or find a Nutrition Consulted. Hopefully, your Primary Care Doctor can fill those shoes!
Movement is medicine. Whatever movement brings you joy. Also, do not be scared to try new things. Physical fitness does not have to be just weight training or cardio. Maybe your wheelhouse is CrossFit, Boxing, or simply nature hikes. Remember, exercise should be fun, enjoyable, and a stress reliever, not a stress inducer.
Lastly, self-care is a package of health that includes all physical, mental, and emotional needs. So, have fun, sweat, socialize and push for a continuum of SELF-improvement.
For more information, check out Episode #7 of the Caffeinated & Confident podcast, "The New Age of Health"
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