Self-care is often talked about as a superficial act. Indulging in some retail therapy, or getting that afternoon latte can feel like self-care, but often are a short term fix. A recent study reported that 84% of consumers claim that the UK needs to focus more on self-care. In this article, we’ll look at some ways you can use self-care to prevent health issues down the road, and to take charge of your future health.
Quit Tobacco
One of the most important things you can do for your health is quitting tobacco. The long-term effects of inhaling smoke from cigarettes is well documented, with lung cancer representing 13% of new cancer cases in the UK. However, tobacco in other forms is still detrimental to your health. Chewing tobacco, cigars, or even long term use of nicotine gum are heavily linked to mouth cancer. Moreover, all forms of tobacco are tied to high blood pressure as well as tooth and gum disease. Quitting tobacco of any form is one of the best ways you can take care of yourself, and your health.
Take Care Of Your Hair
Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you, so it’s important to take care of it. Through healthy self-care you can stave issues like greying, male pattern baldness, and other forms of hair loss. While some of this is tied to age and genetics, there are still things you can do to protect yourself, and at the very least delay certain issues.
Everyone’s hair is different, but there are certain things that affect all of us. Vitamin deficiencies, like a lack of B12, have been tied to premature greying. Taking a multivitamin with B12, or other hair related supplements like biotin and collagen, can have a profound effect on both greying and hair growth.
Get Yourself Moving
One of the best self-care practices you can take up is exercise. There are countless health benefits to both aerobic and anaerobic exercise that can have long-lasting, positive effects on your body and mind. To name just a few, lower blood pressure and risk of heart diseases, can help fight cancer, strengthening your bones and joints, and even improve your mood and mental health. Moreover, starting exercise early makes it easier to continue as you age. Getting yourself moving is one of the best ways to prevent health issues as you get older.
Take Inventory of Your Health
Performing self check-ins is easy, and is an essential part of self-care. Most check-ins don’t take much time and don’t require any equipment. It’s important to check in with yourself even when you’re feeling well to establish a baseline, and stay ahead of any issues. These types of check-ins include testicular self-exams, checking your blood pressure and heart rate, visual skin cancer exams, weighing yourself, and even doing a breast self-exam. Checking in on yourself regularly can help you to get ahead of different kinds of cancers, heart issues, and obesity.
Develop A Skincare Routine
While traditionally viewed as feminine, skincare routines can be a great self-care practice for men. Everyone has skin, and there are a number of ways you can take care of it. A skin care routine can have a number of health benefits. Not only does it help prevent acne and skin cancers, it can also slow down the ageing of your skin, and help improve mental health by boosting your confidence.
The basics of any great skincare routine consist of 3 main steps: cleanse, hydrate, protect. You’ll need to tailor your routine to your skin type, however, those steps will remain the same. First, you’ll wash your face with a cleanser. Then, optionally, apply any toner or serums to your skin, which you’ll follow up with a moisturiser. And finally, the most important, lightweight sunscreen to protect your skin. Sometimes sunscreen will be combined with your moisturiser, but make sure you get something that’s at least SPF 30.
Self-care is an essential part of preventing health issues. Incorporating some of these tips into your routines can help you to take charge of your well-being, and hopefully curtail any impending health concerns.
