International Self-Care Day 2023: It’s not selfish, it’s essential

International Self-Care Day is commemorated this year on July 24.

The event is led by the International Self-Care Foundation and has been running since 2011.

Designed to raise awareness about self-care and self-care interventions, International Self-Care Day also encourages health systems around the world to promote self-care.

What is self-care?

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes self-care as something that “people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness.”

WHO continues to explain that self-care “is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc.), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.) and self-medication.”

Research suggests that prioritizing self-care can have several benefits including helping to manage stress, reduce the risk of illness, and even increase energy. It’s also been shown to have a positive effect on mental health, and reduce burnout.

Adopting self-care isn’t just about improving the way we feel. It’s about giving individuals control over their own health, inevitably reducing pressures on health systems. At a time when it’s estimated that there is a global shortage of around 10 million health workers, this has never been more important.

How can I practice self-care?

Self-care is about taking the necessary steps to prevent yourself from getting ill, overwhelmed, and overstressed. Self-care interventions are not designed to replace existing health systems, but to enhance them and improve overall health.

The National Institute of Mental Health advises on the following strategies for self-care:

• Regular exercise
• Eat healthy
• Stay hydrated
• Prioritize sleep
• Try a relaxing activity
• Set goals for yourself
• Practice gratitude
• Focus on positivity
• Stay connected

As a leading health testing laboratory, we know that self-care should also include health testing where appropriate, to prevent disease and promote good health.

For example, we know that certain foods can trigger health conditions – which can cause a number of unpleasant and painful symptoms. By being aware of conditions such as celiac disease and lactose intolerance, their symptoms and any personal triggers, you can take steps to not only boost your gut health, but also improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Take control of your health

At AlphaBiolabs, we have a range of health testing kits that can help you to get the answers you need to take control of your health.

This includes our Genetic Celiac Disease Test that can tell you whether you have the genes linked to celiac disease, while our Genetic Lactose Intolerance Test can tell you whether you have the MCM6 gene variations that indicate primary lactose intolerance.

Each test costs just $129, or you can buy them both together for $208 and save $50. Only simple cheek swab samples are required, and results are available in 5-7 business days.

All of our health test kits have been specifically designed to enable you to collect your samples quickly and easily at home, before returning them to our state-of-the-art laboratory.

For advice on whether these tests are right for you, contact our Customer Services team on 727-325-2902.