YOUR HEALTH

Self-Care

How taking care of yourself can help you take care of others

by Jan Arrant

Feeling run down and out of energy? Life would be easier if there was a simple test to check for the “charge” left in our batteries. Sometimes the first indicator that our batteries are nearly dead is a trip to the doctor with complaints of not feeling well. In hindsight, you might remember your illness started with a number of sleepless nights, your pants being a little too snug, or a need for one more cup of coffee.

It’s one thing for your battery to need to recharge; it’s another for it to completely run down. Just like with your car, your battery doesn’t die at an opportune time. It happens when you least expect it.

We make sure our cars get proper maintenance so we are not stuck on the side of the road, but many times we think our health will take care of itself and don’t provide the maintenance needed to ensure our motor is happily humming.

You can recharge your battery with very simple additions to your daily life. For instance, add meditation or a deliberate quieting of your mind while standing in line at the grocery store. Rather than becoming impatient, realize that you have been given a few minutes to be quiet. You cannot go anywhere; your groceries are already on the conveyor belt. So, take a few deep breaths to help quiet your mind. Take a minute to listen to your surroundings.

Other ways to regroup:

• Get outside once a day for some vitamin D. Sunshine and fresh air can help you decompress, clear your head and recharge.

• Make sure you’re getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet. Methodist Health System Wellness Director Kathy Ross, RN, MHA, says, “Eating 5 servings of fruits and veggies each day may reduce your risk for many diseases, including heart disease and high blood pressure. Plus, the natural sugar in fruit can help you feel healthy and energized.”

• Make time for those annual visits with your physician. If you have experienced more mood swings, a change in appetite, or trouble sleeping, share that with your doctor and then follow through on the suggestions.

• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. Exercise can help control your weight, improve your mood and mental health, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Start small – and check with your doctor before starting an exercise plan.

• Get a good night’s sleep. Put down those electronic devices. Turn them off, set them aside, and take time to think about your day and plan for tomorrow.

Adding just a few simple steps can provide that muchneeded maintenance to keep our motors humming even better than our cars. And remember, you can’t take care of others, if you don’t take care of yourself. It will catch up with you.

Need help finding a physician? Visit: www. methodisthealthsystem.org/doctors/search-results/. •

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System.