1. Self Care

2. Self Care: Sleep How Much Sleep Do You Need? It’s utterly important to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep in order to receive the health benefits that go along with getting enough sleep. It’s important for your body to go through the sleep cycle, which include light sleep, deep sleep, rapid eye movement sleep, or REM sleep. When your body completes the sleep cycle it’s believed that the body and mind repairs itself. Sleep is a necessary aspect of life and is essential to our health in order to avoid risk factors. Lack of sleep may affect learning and memory, metabolism and weight, safety, mood, Cardiovascular health and disease.

3. Self Care: Proper Nutrition Eating The Wrong Foods? One of the biggest benefits of engaging in proper nutrition are the reduced risk of illness and disease which in turn leads to healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately when were hurried and under stress we tend to make poor food choices that lead to unhealthy lifestyle patterns. It’s important to eat healthy portions of food in order to maintain a balanced diet that benefits your health. The recommended servings for My Pyramid are: Grains- 6Oz every day Vegetables- 21/2 cups every day Fruits- 2 cups every day Milk- 3 cups every day Meats and Beans- 51/2 Ounces every day

4. Self Care: Exercise Need more convincing to exercise? The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity can improve your life. A person who exercise is more likely to prevent excessive weight gain or maintain weight loss. Physical activity can help a person prevent a wide range of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, metabolic syndrome, cancer, arthritis, depression and cardiovascular disease. When a person participates in physical activity the brain is stimulated to release various chemicals that may leave you feeling happier. When a person participates in physical activity it boosts your endurance and helps your cardiovascular system to work more efficiently. Physical activity also promotes better sleep by falling asleep quicker. Unwinding is another benefit of participating in physical activity so find one you enjoy!

5. Self Care: Social Support Getting Adequate Social Support! Research has shown that having at least two close friends is important to emotional health. It’s important to have social support which can include friends and family in order to help you through your difficult times. Social support, whether from a trusted group or valued individual, has been shown to reduce the psychological and physiological consequences of stress, and may enhance immune function. There are strong ties between social support and measures of well-being. Social networks provide a sense of belonging, security, and a community where you can share your concerns and needs and support others.

6. Self Care: Hobbies Finding Hobbies You’ll enjoy! Your quality of life may improve from cultivating a hobby. Getting involved in hobbies that promote physical activity also promote good health. Once you have found a hobby you enjoy it gives you time to relax and reduces the stress in your body. The importance of creating a balance between hard work and downtime is important in our lives. Hobbies also create eustress which is considered a healthy kind of stress that is needed to feel excited about life. Research has shown that people who participate in hobbies have lower blood pressure, total cortisol, waist circumference, body mass index and perception of better physical health.

7. Self Care:Pampering Yourself Taking care of your body Learning how to take care of yourself can make you feel good, inside and out! Pampering yourself has many stress relieving benefits and should be incorporated in our lives. Pampering is also good for your mental and physical health as well. Taking care of yourself is essential to your well-being so when you feel overwhelmed and anxious its important to make time to pamper yourself. Learning how to take care of yourself can lead to a positive and empowering self-care routine.

8. Self Care: A Sharp Mind Sharpening your mental skills By Keeping a sharp mind sharp will increase the likelihood of handling or solving problems and taking on challenges that may present. Keeping a sharp mind also plays an important role in your overall health and fitness. There are various amounts of activities that you can participate in order to keep your maintain a sharp mind. Language skills, dexterity, physical exercises, video games and social connections are powerful tool for mental sharpness.

9. Self Care: Right Attitude Importance of a good attitude Having a good attitude is scientifically connected with improved health and increase chances of lifelong success. Optimistic frame of mind can also help decrease your levels of stress. Pessimistic people who learned cognitive coping skills have fewer health problems then those who do not. Studies indicate that people can reap health benefits from having a good attitude. A positive attitude improves your immune system because you are less stressed. It’s not about wallowing in negative feelings; it’s about being able to identify what your feelings are and where they are coming from, and addressing the problem with some viable solutions

10. Self Care: References University of Minnesota http://takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/create-healthy-lifestyle/relationships/grow-your-social-network About.com Stress Management http://stress.about.com/od/relationships/a/circleoffriends.htm Everyday Guide http://www.everydayguide.com/advantages-of-having-a-hobby/ Why Pamper yourself http://www.divavillage.com/article.php?id=37554 Live strong.com http://www.livestrong.com/article/32858-benefits-good-attitude/