V O L U M E 9 • I S S U E 4 • M AY 2 0 1 5
Refreshing Your Health
MANAGING MOTHERHOOD • The stresses of motherhood • Get some help • Have a plan • Take time out
Managing motherhood BEING A MOM IS A FULL-TIME JOB WITH NO LEAVES OR OVERTIME. GIVE YOURSELF A PROMOTION! May is mother’s month, and we celebrate mothers by helping them be better and
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/BenefitsMadeBetter
healthier. In general, the road of motherhood is not a highway, but EDSA on a Monday morning. It is filled with many risks and surprises, which are stressful if not outright dangerous.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
V O L U M E 9 • I S S U E 5 • M AY 2 0 1 5
The risks of motherhood generally come
this newsletter that psychological and physi-
can relate: doctors also have the same flaw.
from two things. The first is the biological
cal stresses are the root of so many physical
And while many women really “can” do this,
changes you encounter as you move through
illnesses: from heart disease, pain disorders,
this is at the cost of something else, like your
the different stages in your life. These stag-
premature aging, bowel abnormalities, to
health and well-being.
es, from before pregnancy, to pregnancy,
psychiatric problems. To be able to do a better job, consider get-
childbirth, childrearing, and separation, all pose risks. The second one is more subtle and more ignored. This is the stress that ac-
...while many women
companies these life stages, and the lack
really “can” do this, this
of care mothers give to themselves, often to
is at the cost of some-
prioritize the needs of their families. However, we are reminded of the adage:
thing else, like your health and well-being.
You cannot give what you don’t have. Hence, in this issue, we offer you some ad-
ting some help. This applies to any aspect of your life: your work, your being a caregiver, your being a mother, etc. Here are some types of help you can use: • Make your boss and subordinates your
allies. Speak up if you are overloaded.
Delegate what needs to be delegated.
Get a professional coach. Talk to your
vice on how to better address the second
A one-of-its-kind article in the medical jour-
HR about any career needs you may
part, and make motherhood a time of self-
nal, Health Care for Women International,
have, such as additional trainings.
love and care, so that it can overflow to the
by Dr. Janet Currie, outlined three main strat-
• Get your partner on board. Use the
rest of the family.
egies that mothers can use to manage their
stresses. These are: (a) get some help; (b)
stronger.
The stresses of motherhood
have a plan; and (c) take time-out. We will
• Talk to other mothers, or even your
Stressful motherhood usually comes out of
elaborate on each part separately.
friends. Talk therapy works great in
sheer overload. Remember when you had
time you have together to build your bond
relieving stress. Plus they may even be
to rush several things in your work all at the
Get some help
able to offer you a hand in some chores.
same time? It’s pretty much like that, but what
Many mothers feel obligated to live out the
• When they are older, get your kids to
is at risk is so much greater and more impor-
typical “super-mom” stereotype. We were
help out in the chores. This will train
tant, and there are no days off. This mental
made to believe that mothers can—and
them in several desirable qualities, plus
and physical stress can take its toll in your
should—fix everything. And this feeling is
this adds to the quality time you have
body. We have emphasized repeatedly in
reinforced by your innate maternal instinct. I
with them.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
V O L U M E 9 • I S S U E 5 • M AY 2 0 1 5
• Get technology on board. Automate
Take time out
Take frequent sips of cool water in
your bill payments through auto-debit
This is the part we like, and is as important
between bites. Eat the food platter
facilities with your bank. Enroll in
as the other two. However, this may be the
slowly. Not a fruits fan? How about
online facilities. Maximize the use
part that most of you ignore. There are many
a cup of low-fat chilled yogurt instead?
of innovations, such as chat and Skype,
reasons for this. Some feel they do not have
• Drop your older kids off at the secure
to keep tabs of your little ones.
time. Others feel like they do not deserve
mall play area while you get some retail
it. Still, others feel like this is an unproduc-
therapy (just don’t overspend, okay?)
Have a plan
tive activity. By this time, I hope you have
• On your way to pick the children up
Devise a plan that will help you cope with
scrapped reasons 2 and 3. As for reason
from school? Leave a bit earlier, drive
your gazillion tasks. This could include:
1, make an effort to make time for this, be-
more leisurely, and sing your heart out
cause it is as important as the other items
inside the car.
• A day plan, a whole-week plan, and/
on your to-do lists. Here are some healthy
• Go for a jog or stroll, with or without
suggestions of how you can take time out,
• Cooking meal plans, grocery
relax, and pamper yourself. However, the
• Meditate for 10 minutes or more,
best time out is something that you would
envisioning what a perfect vacation
• Specified vacation dates and
enjoy doing, considering your interests and
would be like.
preferences.
or to-do checklists shopping lists vacation plans
the kids, around the neighborhood.
• Emergency plans, contingency plans,
and first-aid plans, and practice these
• Get a power nap. I have yet to meet a
with your children.
mother who is not sleep-deprived.
However, sleep is a basic need. Take
Dr. Currie highlighted that making and suc-
power naps throughout the day, but
cessfully executing a plan not only helps you
keep them short (no longer than
As you can see, it doesn’t have to be a ma-
cope and accomplish more and better. It
20 minutes). Longer naps will make you
jor and costly vacation to get some me time
also has a psychological benefit: It gives you
feel more sluggish and less refreshed.
and smoothen out the health-strangling stress
greater confidence and a sense of control,
• Make a fruit platter for yourself. It is
of motherhood. All it takes is some help, a
which makes you calmer and less stressed.
more
plan, and some self-love.
soothing
to
eat
this
chilled.
ActiveLink is an employee benefits management firm focused on corporate healthcare benefits. Our thrusts are to deliver a cost-efficient HMO plan and to ensure successful implementation through excellent customer service support and the use of our benefits portal (www.benefitsmadebetter.com).
Email us at inquiries@activelinkbenefits.com or call us at 8174606, and let us know when we can share our strategy. Let us help you make your benefits better!
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2015 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelinkbenefits.com
A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD