Self-care during the summer is just as important as during the cooler months. A lot of self-care simply involves being aware of what your body is telling you it needs and being proactive when it comes to changes or symptoms.
It’s easy to dismiss the latter, and even easier to hope an issue will go away on its own, but it’s never worth the stress incurred from dealing with a health problem.
The summer is also an ideal time of the year to check in with yourself. How are you feeling? Is there anything you’re worried about? Are there any doctor’s appointments you need to schedule and attend? Chances are, the answer to at least one of the above questions is “yes.”
For women, anything from menstruation to family planning to contraception to menopause is a possible area of concern. There’s no reason to “deal with” or “ignore” any healthcare issues you may have, so we hope you’ll consider scheduling an appointment with your provider.
We realize that even simple self-care can be difficult to remember, especially with a busy schedule. PGOMG has provided 10 straightforward tips to help women have a healthy summer this year (and hopefully moving forward!).
- Stay hydrated, and try replacing at least one coffee / tea / juice / soda each day with water
- Protect your skin: use sunscreen every day (rain or shine, SPF 35 or higher)
- Aim for at least one additional hour of sleep whenever possible
- Stop looking at screens (phone, TV, tablet, etc.) at least 30 minutes before bedtime
- Attend your annual well woman exam for the year if you haven’t already
- Talk to your doctor about symptoms you are experiencing – menstruation, birth control side effects, breast health, etc.
- Review family planning goals and, if appropriate, discuss preconception counseling with your provider
- Schedule a physical, especially if you have not had one in the past five years
- If concerned, get tested for STDs / STIs as soon as possible to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment
- Discuss with your doctor contraception that best suits your lifestyle and family planning goals
Want to learn more about better self-care? Visit some of our top blog posts!
