Preventative Care for Exhausted Moms: 3 Reasons to Make it a Priority
As a mom, juggling the demands of everyday life can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. It's easy to put your own health on the back-burner, but prioritizing preventative care is essential for your well-being as well as your kids. To help paint the picture I'm going to use my client as an example, let's call her Jane. She is a mom married in her 30s with 2 kids, ages 6 & 4. We started working together so she could have more energy to keep up with the kids, stop stressing and enjoy life.
I mean isn't this what everyone wants? Now on to the 3 reasons why you should prioritize your health.
1. If you can't do it for you, then do it for the wellbeing of your child.
As a mom, it's natural to prioritize your children's health and well-being above your own. However, it's important to recognize that your own health directly impacts the well-being of your kids. Research has shown that the health of the primary caregiver has the greatest influence on a child's overall health. This means that by taking care of yourself and prioritizing preventative care, you are not only benefiting your own well-being but also setting a positive example for your children to follow. By investing in your health, you are investing in the health and future of your family.
If you don't advocate for your health, who will?
As Jane focused on improving her own health, she found herself better equipped to handle her children's emotions and outbursts. By staying calm and composed, she was able to connect with her kids in a more positive and constructive manner. And even when her emotions occasionally got the best of her, Jane learned to regulate her reactions, repair any rifts, and show her children the importance of resilience and growth. Being in tune with her body not only helped Jane navigate challenging moments but also strengthened her bond with her kids, showing them that mistakes are part of life and can be overcome with patience and self-awareness.
She is also leading by example which is some of the best ways a child learns. They are watching our every move and if we are leading unhealthy lives they know no different.
2. Saves you time & money.
This is often used as the excuse as to why you CAN'T focus on your health and something I STRONGLY disagree with. Yes, taking care of yourself can cost you money, but your return on this investment is truly unmeasurable. If it feels overwhelming on where to start, that I can get behind. There is so much out there where do you even begin and who do you trust? If you are just starting off and time and money are a huge factor start with a teeny tiny step. An extra glass of water in the morning before coffee, 5 air squats while coffee is brewing, 5 deep breaths before you go into a stressful event. These cost nothing and time commitment is minimal. As you gain small wins you can build on them.
I would also like to challenge you to look 10 years in the future. If you don't, choose your poison.... move your body, reduce your sugar in take, or stop a bad habit, where will you be mentally, physically, or emotionally in 10 years? Tackling a problem when it is small is much easier to get under control then if you let it sit for 10 years.
The U.S population with 1 chronic disease (obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, arthritis, dementia, COPD, depression etc) spends on average over 3 times the mount on healthcare than those who do not have a chronic disease. CDC reports that 78% of the American adults over the age of 55 have at least 1 chronic disease. The female population is said to be closer to 80%. Thats a staggering amount and I can't imagine those number drastically improving. This is where I really want to enforce if you do not advocate for your health who will????
Now, let's delve deeper into the aspect of time. Have you ever pondered on the amount of time required to manage a chronic illness? Research on this topic is challenging to pinpoint accurately. According to a study by the NIH, individuals with chronic diseases spend an average of at least 2 hours daily on direct medical tasks. However, this statistic fails to encompass the additional time spent feeling unwell, missing out on activities, or struggling to keep up with daily demands. Can we truly quantify the extensive time and energy that managing a chronic illness demands?
Bringing Jane back into the conversation, we recently uncovered that she has some insulin insensitivity from a routine blood test conducted by her healthcare provider. This early indicator can pave the way to diabetes if left unchecked, making it crucial to address and reverse the issue while she is in her 30s to prevent further complications. By incorporating gradual dietary adjustments and increasing physical activity, Jane can effectively combat this condition and significantly lower her risk of developing diabetes in the future. Opting to invest time and effort into these changes now will not only benefit her health but also save her from potential future costs and health implications. It's difficult to truly quantify the time and money she has saved by prioritizing her health now.
3. Improve your energy levels now and for your future self!
Taking a closer look at your health can bring to light areas that may have been overlooked. In our fast-paced lives, self-care often gets pushed to the back burner, waiting for that elusive "someday" when we have more time and energy. Investing in preventive health care can shine a spotlight on these neglected aspects and prompt you to pause and reflect on your lifestyle. Sometimes, we find ourselves coasting through life on autopilot, unintentionally missing out on important self-care practices that can improve our energy and overall well-being. Prioritizing these appointments provides a valuable opportunity to assess your daily routine, pinpointing areas where small adjustments can lead to significant improvements.
Making small changes now to enhance your health will have a lasting effect on your energy levels in the long run. Consider Jane's situation, for instance. Imagine the consequences if she had delayed seeking medical attention until she developed diabetes and required medications. The mental and emotional toll alone would be overwhelming. She would then have to make more drastic lifestyle changes, a challenging task for anyone. Not to mention the additional blood tests, follow-up appointments, and potential side effects of medication that may come with treating the disease. It's truly draining to even consider the implications.
Therefore, if you wish to boost your energy levels now and in the future, it's crucial to focus on your well-being and prioritize preventative care appointments.
In conclusion, prioritizing your health as a mom is not only crucial for your well-being but also for the health and happiness of your children and family as a whole. By taking small steps towards preventative care, you can save valuable time, money, and energy in the long run. If you are feeling overwhelmed with where to start or unsure about these appointments, I invite you to reach out for a complimentary 20-minute consultation. Together, we can explore how my services can support you on your health journey and empower you to thrive as a mom. Remember, prioritizing your health is a worthwhile investment, and by taking care of yourself, you are also caring for your loved ones.