Self care – Practice self-care for life
Self-Care Week is an annual UK-wide national awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities, families and generations. At your GP Practice we have been busy filming some advice from your GPs, nurses and other surgery staff. Have a look at our You Tube channel and see if you can spot your favourite member of our team: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWeoOZ-b_SmP1aUJfsuakdQ?view_as=subscriber
MOVE, EAT, SLEEP, REPEAT
Both our physical and mental health are impacted by our lifestyle
Eating a healthy balanced diet accompanied by regular exercise is essential in maintaining physical and mental health and well-being. Not only are these effective in preventing excess weight gain or in maintaining weight loss, but healthier lifestyles are also associated with improved sleep and mood. For ideas and inspiration visit www.nhs.uk/change4life
Did you know you can get that from the pharmacy?
Pharmacists can offer advice and over-the-counter medication to help with a range of common conditions and minor injuries such as:
- common ailments such as coughs, colds, sore throats and the flu
- access to the morning after pill and pregnancy tests
- mild skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, athlete's foot
- bruises, sunburn, and minor burns and scalds
- constipation and piles (haemorrhoids)
- hay fever, dry eyes and allergies (including rashes, bites and stings)
- aches and pains, including earache, headache, migraine, back pain and toothache
- vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
- period pain, thrush and cystitis
- conjunctivitis, cold sores and mouth ulcers
Vitamin D
It's that time of year when we cannot make enough vitamin D from sunshine. To keep bones and muscles healthy, it's best to take a vitamin D supplement every day between October and early March.
Vitamin D supplements are available from most pharmacies, supermarkets and other retailers. Just 10 micrograms a day is all you need – it's the same for kids and grown-ups.
Food sources of Vitamin D include:
- oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
- fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals
Sleep
If you're having sleep problems, there are simple steps you can take to ease those restless nights. Find out how to get to sleep and how to sleep better. www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/
Staying connected
At times of stress, it’s important to draw on your support network – this could be your family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues or your wider community. This is even more important if you need to self-isolate or are housebound. Here are a few ideas that may help you do this:
- Agree how you want to stay in touch with each other, whether it’s through phone calls, meeting up or via text messages.
- Build keeping in touch into your routine. Try to arrange to meet up for a coffee, a walk or a meal with others.
- Start going back to your social activities and hobbies when you feel safe to do so.
- You may need extra support at some point, so think about who you could talk to. You can self-refer to our Social Prescribers who will help you find ways to connect with others.