#Women’sMonth: Take time for yourselves
Women’s Month productivity expert appeals to women to take some time for themselves.
Lizette Bester, Women’s Month productivity expert appeals to women to make some time for themselves.
According to Lizette, South African women are indispensable both in the workplace and in the lives of their families, and often prioritise their working and caring roles above their own health and wellness needs.
“Many women expend a considerable amount of time and energy on their careers and on top of this take care of their children and perform domestic duties, which are in themselves fulltime jobs. Since there are only so many hours in a day, some women tend to put off their own wellness needs in favour of attending to the needs of others.
“The pace of life these days is frenetic for many people, and this means that too often we put off routine health checks, including preventative screenings and dental check-ups, as we feel that we do not have time to invest in ourselves.
We may also feel there is not enough time for us to exercise several times a week, or even take some time out to relax and re-centre ourselves.
“Lizette notes that preserving one’s own good health is in no way selfish, as it is also beneficial for all the people who rely on the individual. “If you are not taking care of your own wellness needs, you cannot perform at your best and this has implications for your work performance and your loved ones.
“If we do not actively take steps to protect and promote our health, there is a greater likelihood of suffering a major health problem at a later stage. This could then require lengthy recovery periods, or lead to even worse consequences that we don’t dare think about.”
• Stress management
A significant aspect of self-care is managing day-to-day stress, as sustained stress causes our bodies to release high concentrations of cortisol. This stress hormone regulates adrenal functions and, particularly, how the body reacts to stressful circumstances.
“At this time of year, many of us feel run down and have not taken a break since Easter, or even before, and may only have an opportunity to do so again at the end of the year. This can exacerbate even moderate stress, which may take its toll on other areas of our health,” Lizette observes.
“Health experts point out that there are potentially dangerous consequences when we do not manage stress effectively, including blood sugar imbalances, heightened blood pressure, impaired immune function and insomnia, which in turn may trigger certain psychological problems.”
Leading a healthy lifestyle can go a long way towards safeguarding physical and psychological wellbeing, and this should include regular vigorous exercise and a nutritious, balanced diet.
“Exercise is a remarkable stress buster, as it not only provides a physical release to counteract stress hormones, but it also stimulates the body to produce feel-good hormones called endorphins. Other benefits of exercise include boosted energy levels and better concentration. It can also help to reduce the risk of developing various non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular conditions and even certain types of cancer.”
According to Lizette, employers who want to get the best out of their workforce should take measures to educate staff about the need for work-life balance, through reinforcing the importance of exercise and relaxation.
“For employers looking to help their staff manage stress, interventions can be as simple as encouraging exercise during lunch breaks, providing access to counselling via a provider or more holistic counselling services to assist with psycho-social, financial and legal sources of stress. These interventions may be complemented with wellness days, where health risks are assessed.”
• Take care of dental and medical ‘niggles’
“Too often, when women notice a change in their body, the way they have been feeling, or perhaps notice that they have developed what they perceive to be a relatively minor dental problem emerging, they may put off seeking healthcare until they experience pain or until the problem becomes worse. This often means that treatment takes longer, is more costly and, in some cases, may ultimately be less successful.
“With mothers, I would ask them whether they would follow this approach if they noticed something similar affecting their child’s wellbeing. For example, you might put off seeing a dentist if you chipped one of your teeth – but would you not have this attended to immediately if it happened to one of your children? You need to take care of yourself just as attentively as you take care of your children.”
Lizette warns that dental problems can lead to other serious health concerns. “Infections in the mouth, such as an abscess or gum disease, place strain on the entire immune system. There appears to be some evidence that gum disease may be related to heart disease. In any case, regular dental check-ups are very important.”
• Empower yourself with regular health screenings
Lizette encourages women to seize Women’s Month to attend to any little health niggles by having their routine preventative health checks.
“Don’t put off having your pap smear or mammogram, do it now because it is simply too easy to procrastinate, and these tests may save your life. Have your moles checked, as well as your eyesight, your blood sugar and cholesterol levels – take a little time for yourself and this will put you in the best possible position to protect your long-term health,” she urges.
“This Women’s Month, we encourage women to make a commitment to themselves to optimise their health. Invest time in yourself, take better care of your wellbeing needs and put yourself first for a change. Not only will this help you to feel like you can take on the world, it will also ensure you are on top of your game in your home and working life too,” Lizette concluded.
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