“The healthy know not of their health, but only the sick” –Thomas Carlyle
This July is Self-Care Month and 24 July (24/7) is Self-Care Day specifically. This is a great time to reflect on and appreciate our health and be proactive in our approach to prevent illness.
What is self-care? Self-care is what you do for yourself to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness (WHO, 1998). Self-care can seem like a far-fetched idea and is not typically considered as a part of the formal health care system.
However, consider this … “If the average person sees a doctor 3 times a year for 10 minutes each time (total 1/2 hour), the rest of the time … 365 days x 24 hours – 30 min = 8759.5 hours … is in reality self-care” (ISF, 2018).
During these 8759.5 hours throughout the year we are caring for ourselves without the primary care of a physician and either moving towards health or towards illness. Health is not necessarily a guarantee therefore, consistent self-care is needed to help us move towards health and to recognize early warning signs of any illness, mental or physical.
Effective strategies for self-care are Mental Fitness Exercises (MFE). These exercises are ideal to ensure that self-care is a part of your day, every day, 24/7. Exercises such as tactical breathing, mindfulness, grounding, and positive self-talk, are all self-care options that support your health and resilience.
Below is the Health Promotion MFE wallet card, this card highlights the Mental Health Continuum Model and 4 MFE exercises. This card is a reminder that early recognition of unhealthy behaviours along the continuum and the strategies to combat these behaviours are great ways to reduce illness, promote health, and practice self-care.
How do I get the card?
- Schedule a briefing on Mental Fitness Exercises https://www.cafconnection.ca/Kingston/Adults/Health/Health-Promotion/Request-a-Briefing-Training.aspx
- Organize an iRest session with Health Promotion, it’s like PT for your mind!
https://www.cafconnection.ca/Kingston/Adults/Health/Health-Promotion/Request-a-Briefing-Training.aspx - Attend a Mental Fitness and Suicide Awareness course
https://www.cafconnection.ca/Kingston/Adults/Health/Health-Promotion/How-to-Register.aspx
Your Health Promotion team at CFB Kingston recognizes the specific needs of the military community and is a great resource to help you gain the tools needed to move towards health and away from illness. Follow this link for an outline of the 4 pillars of wellness that Health Promotion CFB Kingston provides year-round https://www.cafconnection.ca/Kingston/Adults/Health/Health-Promotion/Core-Programs.aspx
The best part about self-care and health promotion is that you don’t need to start anywhere specific. If you see a topic that interests you, begin there and gather the tools you need to make the changes that you’re seeking and witness the positive cycle continue as you make self-care a priority. 24/7.
Contact the Health Promotion Office for dates and details:
613-541-5010 x 3992
healthpromotionkingston@forces.gc.ca
References
International Self-Care Foundation. (2018). The Seven Pillars of Self-Care. Retrieved from http://isfglobal.org/practise-self-care/the-seven-pillars-of-self-care/
World Health Organization. (1998). Report of the 4th WHO Consultative Group on the Role of the Pharmacist. Retrieved June 15, 2018, from http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jwhozip32e/