It’s summertime, and hopefully the living has been somewhat easy.
No matter how eventful this hot-weather time has been or what’s ahead this fall, it’s August, also known as National Wellness Month— a time to slow down and be mindful about health.
A primary focus of the annual August wellness recognition is encouraging people of all ages to prioritize self-care for overall success— whether in school, mid-career or working to fully enjoy life after retirement.
Choosing self-care is not just about treating oneself to pampering (although that can be very nice too); it’s about prioritizing rest, exercise, healthy foods and mental and emotional check-ins to promote wellness.
Prioritizing wellness from youth, such as getting eight hours of sleep, eating fruits and vegetables, and staying active, not only helps young people when participating in physical activities, but is beneficial for achievement in the classroom, interacting with their peers and developing healthy habits to carry into adulthood.
As adults, choosing self-care— from exercising a few times a week, to getting a 15-minute nap, and cooking foods versus ordering out— can make all the difference in how one thrives in the workplace, navigates relationships, shows up for family and friends, and overcomes challenges— health or otherwise.
Even folks who have been diligent about healthy, self-care practices tend to have better outcomes when diagnosed with serious or, potentially, fatal illnesses.
“There is also evidence and growing awareness among healthcare professionals that supporting and empowering persons with chronic conditions and their care partners and helping them to perform self-care can improve patient well-being, decrease morbidity and mortality, and reduce healthcare costs,” according to information published in the August 2019 report: “Self-care research: Where are we now? Where are we going?” published by the NIH National Library of Medicine.
This month is a reminder that health and self-care is not just about personal determination, but a community commitment to promoting wellness. It’s the village that supports young people to ensure they start practicing healthy habits and have nutritious foods throughout their development. It’s the youth and younger adults who support seniors, through older age and combat elderly isolation.
This special edition features stories with helpful tools for choosing wellness, such as walking, eating healthy foods, prioritizing mental wellness and participating in intergenerational community groups, and offers tools for the community to get involved in promoting overall health. Further, sponsors offer several beneficial wellness resources for the whole family ahead of the upcoming school year.
As always, dive into this guide and keep it as a reminder beyond this August to prioritize wellness all year. Refer to the pieces featured in this edition for information, guidance and as a source of inspiration.
Finally, remember, choosing health and self-care is not just about the present, but will contribute to a lifelong wellness.
“Self-care is not a waste of time,” said relationship expert and author Jackie Viramontez, according to Southern Living. “Self-care makes your use of time more sustainable.”
