Did you know that July 24th is International Self-Care Day? And this year, it’s even more special, as the 24th marks the 10th anniversary of the special day, as it was designated by US Congress back in 2014. Taking care of oneself is truly important, so much so that the US government dedicated a day to it!
In honor of International Self-Care Day, we’ve decided to share our top three recommendations you can easily add to your lifestyle to start incorporating more self-care.
Get Moving!
You’d be surprised at how many people don’t make an intentional effort regularly to move their bodies. In many cases, it just becomes less and less of a priority with the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Take a look at these stats below from the Centers for Disease Control:
- Percent of adults age 18 and older who met the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic physical activity: 46.9%
- Percent of adults age 18 and older who met the Physical Activity Guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity: 24.2%
When there is an ailment or an injury, sometimes it’s only then that someone decides to prioritize their health and healing. Here at Physical Therapy Now, we support the physical health of hundreds of patients regularly, to help facilitate health, healing and well-being. However, whether you’re injured or not, a daily walk and some stretching is a great place to start if you’re not already exercising regularly.
Check Your Diet
According to statista.com, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found out that more than 36 percent of Americans are consuming fast food regularly, to the extent that on any given day, a third of Americans are eating from fast food restaurants. The reasons? High cost, being too busy, or not knowing how to prepare healthy foods, according to the report.
So, how do you overhaul your diet if eating better is your priority? Just like exercise! Start small, and do a little at a time. There are different ways to do it, you just need to find what works best for you. Try picking one of these suggestions to get started, and refine along the way:
- Set protein goals
- Make every meal and snack contain a vegetable or fruit
- Aim for 5-7 servings of fruit and veggies/day
- Cut back on refined carbs
- Eat breakfast daily
Or, get creative and start setting your own goals! Changing your diet is a marathon, not a sprint. So refine and define as you go.
Get More Sleep
If you’re a great sleeper, this one doesn’t apply to you. However, if you’re not a great sleeper, read on!
Look into Tart Chery Juice to start getting in a better night’s rest. According to sleepfoundation.org, “Tart cherry juice’s positive effect on sleep may be due to tryptophan and melatonin. Melatonin is a sleep hormone secreted at certain times of day to help the body transition to sleep. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that helps the body produce melatonin.”
Try drinking 1 cup of no-sugar-added tart cherry juice before bed, or you can opt for the pill form to reap the same benefits. With nearly 39% of Americans not getting enough sleep according to the CDC, there’s a good chance you may need to add tart cherry juice to your shopping list!
Physical Therapy in Irving, Texas
Here are Physical Therapy NOW, we are committed to helping our patients get stronger, and heal from accidents, ailments or procedures. Whether it’s International Self-Care Day, or any other day of the year, don’t forget, we’re here to help. Should you or a loved one need rehab, call us to set up your first appointment at (214) 225-0291.
