I was thinking about spring this morning. The sky was a cloudless deep blue. Despite a morning chill, brave flowers and hearty trees were blooming and while I stood directly in the sun, I felt warm. For a minute. Then I hurried back across the campus where I teach to grab a hot cup of coffee and a bite of reality.
I was also thinking about women. International Women’s Day & Women’s History Month. Statistically more than half the population, it probably should be half the year.
Then, I was thinking about women all around the world who don’t have the same rights that I enjoy. Feeling a little afraid about the future of healthcare and reproductive rights, I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that the large majority of the people who make these decisions don’t have uteruses. And how that needs to change.
Earlier this week, I went to the hospital for a test I’ve been putting off for five years. Won’t go into the details, but it was an icky gross experience with a good clean ending. Fear should not keep us from taking care of ourselves. It’s an amazing feeling to check something off my list that doesn’t have to be done again for five years. My clients regularly speak to me about their medical fears. This time, it was me who took their advice to stay calm and positive. I can’t report that I was calm. Positive? Yes.
Spring cleaning yourself too
Preventative care. That’s what I’m talking about. It’s why we try to eat right, exercise, and quit smoking. We need to start putting “us” on the calendar. There are so many things we put off for no reason other than: who really wants to visit a doctor or dentist if they don’t have to? Spring cleaning, after a long dark miserable winter, should be about learning to focus on yourself more often. Not just when crocuses or daffodils appear.
People are not self-cleaning ovens. (Tweet it!)
We can’t just put our temperature on maximum heat and expect all the baked-on crud of a lifetime of bad habits to burn away. And as we age, sometimes self-care moves itself even further down our to-do lists. But early detection saves lives.
As we get older, there are things that need to be monitored more closely. Mammograms should be done every year or two depending on your family history beginning at 40. Teeth cleaning should be done twice a year, especially to help identify and prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Blood tests should be once a year. It’s good to have a baseline as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are generally cumulative problems that should not be left unchecked.
Coaching with Tamara Mendelson
Are you struggling through an unexpected life change? I’m now taking applications for 2019 Coaching and I’d love to hear from you! Sign up below to receive my coaching application form straight to your inbox.
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After a divorce, illness or death of a loved one, loss of a job, empty nest syndrome, or a host of other fun life-cycle events, all cause extra stress and do play a role in your health as well. This is NOT the time to take less care of yourself. If your children are young, make an appointment for yourself when you make their annual appointments. It’s a good example for children to know that once a year, you see the doctor too. Maybe next time they need a check-up it won’t be a struggle to get them to go. It’s okay to worry and care for yourself the same way you worry and care for your loved ones.
Be kind to yourself.
Now over to you: How will you commit to taking better care of yourself this spring? I’d love to hear!
