Listen to Your Body and be
Proactive
By: Donna Burley, RN CM By: Martha Massey RN, BSN, CCM
For a Healthier Lifestyle
Make a commitment to give yourself extra love and focus on self-care. Paying more attention to what your body needs can create a thriving and productive life. Proactive self-care involves intentionally scheduling and engaging in activities that promote well-being. It’ s about building healthy habits and routines to maintain your physical and mental health rather than reacting to stress or illness.
Here are some ways you can practice proactive self-care in your daily life.
1. Move your body- Physical health benefits your mental health, and increases your body’ s production of Endorphins, the“ feel good“ hormone which is produced in the brain that acts as a natural pain killer and mood booster.
2. Mindful Practice- Conscious deep breathing, relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, journaling, nature walks, pursuing hobbies, and practicing gratitude are all ways to achieve mindfulness into your routine to help improve health.
3. Setting boundaries and managing Stress- Learning to say no and the benefits of prioritizing yourself can help to empower you make better decisions. It fosters a better balance, boosts your self-esteem, and sense of control. This all can lead to less stress and bring more joy and fulfillment.
4. Building a Support System- Spending time with family members and friends who are supportive can truly help increase your healthy lifestyle. It can increase your overall well-being by keeping you stimulated and engaged, along with helping your mood elevation. Support systems also help to provide information, coping strategies, a sense of belonging, and security.
5. Regular bedtime routines- Creating a regular, relaxing bedtime routine can improve sleep quality. Quality sleep is generally 7-9 hours for adults. It offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Cognitive function, mood, chronic disease, and injury are all reduced when quality sleep is achieved.
6. Regular Medical checkups- When regular checkups are completed you can stay on top of possible problems before they arise. Prevention is always the best practice when managing good health. Scheduling routine diagnostic tests and labs are important to identify potential health complications.
When you see, hear or feel something from your body, say something to your support system or medical provider. Never feel like you are alone. Self-care is the most important thing you can do to live a joyful and blessed life.
Loving submitted, Donna and Martha
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