As women, we often put the health of others before our own. Whether you’re a mother caring for a sick child, a wife caring for a sick spouse, a sister caring for a sibling, or a daughter caring for a parent – even taking care of a friend. Our nature is to nurture, for better or worse. This can cause a great deal of stress and in turn, affect our own health by putting it on hold. Whoever thought “self-care” would become so important?
I see many photos in the media with women covered in a face mask, lounging in a bubble bath with a big glass of wine or a nice piece of chocolate. While most of us would enjoy this scenario, is this really what self-care should embody? As soon as you’ve dried off and the face mask is tossed, have we really helped alleviate some of our stress?
One way to decrease anxiety is to take care of your own health. Schedule the primary care visit that you’ve been putting off. With the pandemic, we could all use an appointment with a mental health specialist. Consider going to see the eye doctor; maybe the headaches are from the eyeglass prescription that is 2 years old. I don’t know anyone who particularly enjoys a mammogram but there is a great deal of relief when the report (hopefully) comes back normal. After all, you have to be the best version of yourself to keep taking care of everyone else.
Chelsea Marks DO
OBGYN
Berks Community Health Center
1110 Rockland Street
Reading, PA 19604