Self-care is all about finding ways to improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing. This includes staying active, knowing how to prevent falls, checking your medication/stocking your medicine cabinet and knowing how to treat common illnesses and ailments yourself. All of these are little things we can do to prevent health and wellbeing issues getting to the point of needing medical help.
Here are some top tips for how to exercise self-care in your daily life:
- Take vitamin D supplements, especially if you’re unable to get outside regularly.
- Boost your natural immunity to colds and viruses with good nutrition and regular exercise.
- Support your mental wellness by keeping connected to friends and family.
- Note your daily achievements and celebrating the little things.
- Learn something new every day and take time to notice the world around you.
- Get plenty of fresh air.
- Speak to a local pharmacist to review your medication if you have a lot of medications.
- Adopt positive lifestyle choices.
- Understand how to manage minor and long-term health conditions.
Information videos, lower down on this page, about the most common illnesses and ailments that can be treated at home are also available at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter
The advice includes taking hot baths and over-the-counter painkillers for colds, drinking honey and lemon in warm water for coughs, putting olive oil in your ears to help with the build-up of ear wax and exercises you can do to improve balance if you’re unsteady on your feet.
These videos also contain information about how long each illness/ailment may last and at what point you should consider seeking medical advice.
The benefits of exercising self-care go beyond not having to take time out of your day to see a healthcare professional. Very often, over-the-counter remedies can be much cheaper than getting them on prescription. Paracetamol, for example, costs as little as 34p and completely stocking your medicine cabinet with staple medicines and remedies can be done for under £15.
Anyone with a long-term health condition is at greater risk of becoming unwell during winter, as the colder weather makes some conditions worse. So, if you have a respiratory condition, like asthma or COPD, or even if you’re just a little unsteady on your feet, the videos on our webpage contain information that you will find useful.
Put yourself first by hitting the self-care button
Take charge of your health – that is the message from NHS chiefs
Staying active, checking your medication and knowing how to treat common illnesses yourself are just some of the little things we can all do to prevent health and wellbeing issues getting to the point of needing medical help.
Peter Gregory, associate medical director with NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We see a lot of people coming to GPs with conditions that would naturally get better in time on their own.
“It’s easy for people to assume the worst when they get ill and worry that their cold or sore throat is something worse, and we will always encourage people to make an appointment with their GP if they have real cause for concern.
“But very often it’s better to take control of the illness and a quick visit to a pharmacist for advice or simply getting plenty of rest and warm drinks is enough to get on top of things.”
As health services such as GPs, walk-in centres and A&E are busier than ever, the best way to avoid long waits is to prevent health and wellbeing issues getting to the point of needing urgent medical help.
Information videos about the most common illnesses and ailments that can be treated by self-care at home are available at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter. The list includes hot baths and over-the-counter painkillers for colds, honey and lemon in warm water for coughs, olive oil in the ears to help with build-up of ear wax and exercises on how to improve balance if you’re unsteady on your feet.
These videos also contain information about how long the illness may last and at what point you should consider seeking medical advice from your doctor.
The benefits of exercising self-care go beyond not having to take time out of your day to see a healthcare professional. Very often over-the-counter remedies can be much cheaper than getting them on prescription. Paracetamol, for example, costs as little as 34 pence and completely stocking your medicine cabinet with staple medicines and remedies can be done for under £15.
There are also benefits for mental and physical health, as good self-care includes getting more exercise, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. One of the simplest self-care behaviours is trying a new hobby which distracts the mind from day-to-day troubles and can give you a sense of achievement. Speaking to a social prescribing link worker could help find something for you.
Most GP practices have access to social prescribing link workers or health coaches. Their role is to establish what is affecting your health and wellbeing and explore ways to tackle those issues. They can guide you through the different options and support you into a service that best suits your needs. They will even go as far as going with you to a new group or service if you need it.
Local authorities have lots of people willing to offer advice on finding new services or hobbies for you. That could be in the form of a sports coach at one of the sports centres or even a librarian to help search for a new hobby or interest group.
Find more top tips around self-care on our website: www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter
For more information on Self Care Week visit Self Care Week.
| Topic | Video link | Post |
| Social prescribing link workers | https://youtu.be/Ks5P-vBbuIk | This #selfcareweek we’re taking the self out of self-care. If you want to improve your health and wellbeing there is lots of help and support available to you. Social prescribing link workers are available through your GP practice. #selfcaretogether #selfcareweek |
| Psychological practitioners | https://youtu.be/srkTM4rwOD4 | Self-care includes your mental health and getting to the bottom of issues that might be holding you back or affecting your motivation. Some GP practices have access to psychological practitioners that can help you. #selfcaretogether #selfcareweek |
| Pharmacy | https://youtu.be/8XOVfLYO874 | You’d be amazed at how much self-care advice you can get from your local pharmacist. They can offer all kinds of advice and support to you are not alone in looking after yourself. #selfcaretogether #selfcareweek |
| NDPP | https://youtu.be/Ni0WyBkk3hM | The National Diabetes Prevention Programme #NDPP is a great way to prevent type 2 diabetes and helps with weight loss and lifestyle changes. It’s a way of guiding you through the self-care behaviours you need #selfcaretogether #selfcareweek https://www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/our-work/diabetes/national-diabetes-prevention-programme |