Self-care is a hot topic as more people focus on living their best lives and improving their overall health. Many Americans are living with stress and anxiety while looking for ways to have more enjoyable and fulfilling experiences. Work-life balance, mindful meditation, and yoga are some of the popular self-care activities that can improve your mood and relieve stress.
But there are other ways to take care of yourself that are easily overlooked and not as fun. Self-care involves making healthier choices and doing the things that are good for you, even though you may dread them. While it’s good to include activities like brunches with friends, massages, and spin classes in your weekly routine, you should keep up with other appointments that promote good health.
Here are five specific visits you should include in your monthly or annual schedule to help improve your health:
Primary Care Appointments
A primary care physician (PCP) is essential to achieve positive health outcomes. A PCP can help coordinate your care and schedule vital preventative procedures that can save your life. Preventative health procedures, like mammograms and colonoscopies, are usually recommended by a primary care doctor. Your PCP will consider your family history, medical history, and overall health to form the best treatment plan for your situation.
The patient-physician relationship is necessary for the success of any treatment plan. Whether you have chronic conditions or are in perfect health, you should establish a primary care physician and schedule an annual physical exam.
Good health is the foundation of self-care, and a PCP can help you navigate the healthcare system to get the best outcome. While scheduling that manicure or deep tissue massage, be sure to include an appointment for a physical exam with a doctor you can trust.
Dental Appointments
Going to the dentist may not make the top ten list of favorite self-care activities, but it’s one of the best ways to take care of your health. Good oral health and hygiene can reduce your risk of acquiring other health conditions, which is why regular dental care is so important. Dental providers can help diagnose problems with nutrition and, in some cases, identify poor sleeping habits.
One of the many objectives of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is to increase access to dental care by increasing the percentage of people with dental coverage. Over 70 percent of Americans currently have dental insurance, but many often forfeit or postpone dental appointments.
Caring for yourself includes caring for your teeth and having a healthy mouth, despite how uncomfortable it may be. You should schedule a minimum of two dental visits annually for regular cleanings and x-rays.
If you don’t have a dentist yet, you should take the time to find one in your area with a simple search like dentist Burlington NC, and schedule an appointment. You can create a plan where you take care of all your important appointments at one time and end the day with a fun activity that you enjoy.
Mental Health Appointments
How you care for your mental health may differ from others, and that’s okay. Your mental health can affect every other aspect of your overall health, so a care plan is indeed necessary. Your care plan may include regular visits with a counselor or therapist. You may also consider religious practices like church service or daily prayer a part of your mental healthcare plan.
Stress and anxiety are the most common contributors to poor mental health, with millions of Americans suffering from these disorders. You may not have a mental health disorder, but you definitely deal with stressors in your life.
Taking care of your mental health includes finding healthy ways to eliminate or reduce stress. Self-awareness is also a necessary factor in improving mental health. It’s easy to plan a shopping trip or go out to a bar to relieve stress, but self-awareness helps determine when a person or job is negatively affecting your mental health.
Nutritionist Appointments
There are plenty of resources on diet and healthy eating habits. You can find several credible sources outlining what you should eat in a day and watch testimonials about the results you can expect. But a healthy diet is specific to each person. Your health condition, age, size, allergies, and background can all determine what a healthy diet is best for you.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to eating healthy, and a nutritionist can help you customize a diet plan that’s right for you. While some diet plans may work for others, it may not be effective to you.
Your self-care plan should include an appointment with a nutritionist or dietician to ensure you’re eating the right foods to achieve the health outcomes you want to see.
Self Appointments
One of the appointments you shouldn’t skip is the one you make with yourself. Everyone needs time for themselves to reflect and recharge. Some people need longer than others, but time alone is one of the best ways to protect your health.
It’s during self-reflection that you can identify areas you need to improve, which will give you the motivation to schedule some of the other appointments mentioned. Your appointment with yourself may be a part of your morning routine or a daily afternoon walk on your lunch break. Whatever it is, decide to spend quiet time with yourself away from distractions each day and don’t cancel on yourself.
Final Thoughts
Self-care activities are popular as more people look for ways to rest, relieve stress, and improve their appearance. Taking a vacation or getting a deep-tissue massage are fun ways to include self-care in your routine, but taking care of yourself goes beyond that.
Self-care also includes doing things that may be less exciting but are arguably more important for your overall self. Truly taking care of yourself involves scheduling the appointments that help you maintain good health. You should include regular visits to your doctor, dentist, and nutritionist. You should also make appointments that promote good mental health and support a healthy time alone.
Living your best life means taking care of yourself in the best way, so be sure to schedule wisely!