What Do You Think of When You Hear “Self Care”?

We’ve all been hearing the term “self care” for quite some time now, and believe it or not it can mean different things to different people.

The dictionary says this:

“The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health.”

“The practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.”

And Wikipedia describes self care as follows:

“Self-care has been defined as the process of taking care of oneself with behaviors that promote health. Individuals engage in some form of self-care daily with food choices, exercise, sleep, and dental care.”

As you can see, self care can mean and encompass a variety of different practices and lifestyle choices. Some activities often associated with self care can include things like a day at the spa to “relax”; a mani-pedi at the local salon; a massage; a walk (or run) in the great outdoors; yoga/pilates; reading – the list can go on. But how many of us think of dental care as part of self care? Oral hygiene is important when we look at our overall health, and optimizing our overall health is part of self care. So when it comes to deciding what self care means, it is truly a personal decision! However, let’s look at some things you might consider.

Let’s look at the dictionary’s statement “…in particular during periods of stress.” And this is when many people start to think about self care. You can have environmental or psychological stress. The National Institutes of Health notes in one of their articles that the concentration of four minerals in the body (magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium) can be effected by psychological and environmental stress. Why are these minerals important?

Magnesium is a cofactor in over 300 different functions in the body with about 99% of your magnesium being stored in your bones. Magnesium is also associated with relaxation especially muscle relaxation.

Zinc is vital for gene expression and supporting immune function.

Calcium, obviously associated with bone and teeth strength and structure, also plays a role in muscle contraction.

Iron is vital for transporting oxygen throughout the body. With iron it is always a good idea to check with your health care provider to determine your blood levels of this essential mineral before supplementing – too much iron is not always a good thing.

So taking a mineral supplement might be something to consider if you are under occasional stress. A great option would be Country Life’s Iron Free Total-Mins product. With a great balance of essential minerals you can help support the filling of gaps you might have in the mineral department if you are not getting your needs met from a well-balanced diet.

What about other vitamins? Are there any other nutrients that we should consider if we are experiencing occasional stress? Yes!

Several articles have been published relating to stress and nutrient status, and in particular B-Vitamins.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31527485/

Although more research is needed to determine exactly how stress can affect the different nutrients in the body, it is important to examine our diets – what are we eating – as well.

B-Vitamins are an essential (must be consumed) nutrient and they are important for energy production, carbohydrate metabolism, immune support, cardiovascular and nervous system support, and of course supporting healthy hair, skin and nails. Although B-Vitamins are easily destroyed in cooking, foods that contain good sources of B-Vitamins are whole grains, legumes, eggs, citrus fruits, avocados, meats, poultry and fish. And a quality supplement can also provide B-Vitamins to ensure an adequate intake. An excellent choice would be the Country Life Coenzyme B-Complex.

Country Life has been the leader in the B-Vitamin category for almost 20 years and was one of the first companies to develop a “Coenzyme” B-Complex. What does “coenzyme” mean? It means that the B-Vitamins are in a biologically active form to support utilization of the essential nutrients. Plus they can be taken on an empty stomach with no unpleasant smell or repeat.

If you’re looking to make things easier for yourself try the Country Life Core Daily 1 Multivitamin!

In a simple one tablet a day multivitamin you get your basic vitamins and minerals, (including your Coenzyme B-Vitamins) along with an organic food base blend. It’s all about your individual needs and selecting supplements that will address the nutritional requirements.

Power Your Greatness with any or all of these amazing Country Life products!