Essential Steps to Putting Your Health First
- Posted on: May 12 2014
If you find it difficult to find the time to focus on yourself, then you are not alone. Millions of Americans struggle to find the time to take care of their own health. Yesterday, we celebrated Mother’s Day, which prompted us to remember that most moms put the needs of their families, their children and their work ahead of their own. Finding the life/ work balance can be a difficult task. We encourage you to make today the first day of your plan to put your health needs first!
Tips to Putting Your Health First
1. Make Time
The #1 reason we don’t care for ourselves is time. Work, errands, kid’s activities-they all have to fit in a day. Learn to say no to the things that really are not essential. Your health needs to move to the top of your list so that you are able to better manage all of your other tasks. Start by adding in one half hour of time each day to focus on health. You can make this your time to exercise, meditate, enjoy a healthy meal or even get a facial. As you begin to realize that you can make time, increase this time to 45 minutes or an hour each day.
2. Set Goals
Planning is the step that most of us skip. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed with all we have to do. Start with small, accomplishable tasks and build from there. This can be as easy as saying “today, I am going to eat more vegetables.” or “today, I am going to make my appointment for my annual skin check.” Once you have accomplished these small goals, you will start to de-stress and re-prioritize.
- Checking your skin for unusual blemishes, pigment changes and suspicious lesions is a year round responsibility. As with most cancers, early detection can be an essential part in treating and recovering from skin cancer. Schedule an appointment with your Dermatologist for your annual skin check this month, Melanoma Awareness Month!
3. Try to Plan When You Need to Eat “on the go”
It is tempting to grab food wherever you can when you are hungry and in a hurry. Avoid the need to do this by setting aside some time on the weekend to pre-pack healthy snacks. This may seem difficult, but it can be simple. You don’t need to plan your whole week, just package veggies, fruits, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, nuts and other healthy snacks in easy to grab containers in the fridge. Take them with you on days when you know you will be on the go, go, go.
4. Don’t Skip Your Annual Health Checks
No one looks forward to an annual physical, but these routine exams are important and can be life saving. Visiting your primary care physician each year for a physical and your dermatologist for a skin check will help you stay on track to putting your health first.
We Support The American Cancer Society “Choose You” Movement
“The American Cancer Society Choose You movement encourages women to put their own health first in the fight against cancer. And it shines a light on a hidden issue: one in three women will get cancer in her lifetime. However, we can change those odds by making healthy lifestyle choices such as maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, not smoking, and getting regular health checks.
In the constant struggle between family, work, and self, we know how difficult it is to focus on you. To help change this, the Choose You program provides the tools and support women need to commit to and achieve their personal health and wellness goals. Research shows that 73% of Choose You commitments are successful, and the program provides the support needed to help you eat right, get active, quit smoking, schedule regular health checks or take care of your skin.
By making a Choose You commitment today, you’re making your personal health a priority — and helping fight the good fight against cancer.” –The American Cancer Society
Make an appointment with us to check your skin health and learn how easy it can be to protect and maintain it.
Posted in: Blog Post