National Self-Check Month

National Self-Check Month takes place in February each year. This period serves as a reminder that it is possible for us (and ultimately our responsibility) to take charge of our health. Self-checks serve as a means to increase the chances of avoiding chronic disease and other mostly preventable health conditions. National Self-Check Month helps to highlight a variety of self-empowering and proactive early detection and preventive resources as well as tools for guiding us through healthcare-related fears and concerns. National Self-Check Month is also an opportunity to discuss health concerns with a loved one.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL SELF-CHECK MONTH

Self-care has been defined as the process of taking care of oneself with behaviors that promote health and help in preventing avoidable health conditions as well as helping with the active management of illness if and when it occurs. Most individuals engage in some form of self-care daily with things such as food choices, exercise, and sleep, among others. The concept of self-care has received increased attention in recent years as there is a constant evolution of knowledge and information. The Greek philosopher Socrates has been credited with founding the self-care movement in ancient Greece, and self-care remains a primary form of healthcare worldwide.

Routine self-care is important for generally healthy people, but it becomes essential when illness occurs. Chronic illnesses, such as heart failure, diabetes, and high blood pressure, requires the individual to inculcate measures that control the illness, decrease symptoms, and improve survival — these include taking medication and monitoring symptoms. An acute illness requires these same types of self-care behaviors as required by people with a chronic illness, though the medication adherence and symptom monitoring behaviors involved in the case of an acute illness are relatively short-lived.

In the case of people with a chronic illness, care provided by a health professional is greatly outweighed by self-care efforts. Research shows that most people suffering from a chronic illness spend only about 10 hours per year of all their time with a healthcare provider. Lack of self-care in terms of personal health and living conditions is known as self-neglect and these days, there is a growing body of knowledge related to these home-care workers.

5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SELF-CARE

1. It makes us more energeticSelf-care helps us to be more energetic, as we would rid ourselves of stress by engaging in self-care activities.
2. It helps to build confidenceSelf-care and self-checks help with fitness generally, and that is a natural boost for our confidence.
3. It reduces the risk of falling sickSelf-care routines are bound to help reduce the risk of falling ill.
4. Illnesses are better managedIllnesses are better managed with self-check measures such as maintaining a healthy diet and taking medication where necessary.
5. It generally makes us healthierSelf-care practices generally make us healthier than we would be without them.

WHY NATIONAL SELF-CHECK MONTH IS IMPORTANT

1. It helps keep us healthySelf-care and self-checks keep us healthy. We love being and staying healthy!
2. It helps with depressionStaying fit through self-care and constantly maintaining a healthy lifestyle reduces the chance of being depressed. Start today.
3. It’s an opportunity for family timeIt creates an opportunity to spend some time with family and friends. What better way to bond than over your health journey?