IWD: Caregiving, Self-Care and Break the Bias
Women make up 80% of healthcare decision makers.
IWD Caregiving Self Care
Yes we said that right…80 percent.(1) And caregiving is NOT easy. Spruce Health Group is here to help you as well as your loved ones. IWD: Caregiving, Self-Care and Break the Bias. On this International Women’s Day, we want to encourage you to add some new self-care time into your day and stand with women around the world to #BreaktheBias.
As we recognize the impact of women on the world during IWD(2) and Women’s History Month, we know that the weight of not only their health, but that of their family often sits heavy on their shoulders. Scheduling appointments, tracking medications, driving to appointments, and a hand to hold when family members need support – the vast majority of the time it’s the moms, sisters, aunts and grandmothers who manage the healthcare journey of each person.
At Spruce Health Group, we are striking the pose for #BreaktheBias this month recognizing all the women who so often put others’ health before their own and reminding them of two important considerations. One: to take care of yourself – from the inside out! Two, #BreaktheBias, encourage the men in your family to get involved in the caretaking.
How can we help women prioritize their own care?
We all hear the commercials, podcasts and social media posts promoting the importance of self care. But what exactly does that mean?
With over 50 percent of women in the workforce(3), the balance of family, career, and household management can seem overwhelming. Stress can cause women to make poor decisions for their own health – overeating, excessive alcohol, not getting enough exercise, and poor sleep habits. All of these can contribute to serious health problems over time.(4)
“Recognizing that you are under stress is one of the first ways to address change,” says Annie Floyd, Nurse Practitioner at Restore. “We see patients come in and you can tell that managing their own health has taken a back seat as they navigated someone else’s healthcare journey. We want to help people restore their own health too.
Whether it’s putting off getting the pain checked in your knee, uncontrolled weight gain, addressing a hormone imbalance, or simply taking moments to do something you enjoy; it’s time to get started. It’s your time.
There are many ways to restore ourselves with self care. Don’t become overwhelmed by trying to do it all at once. Sometimes just one small change can lead to the next.
- Take a walk today
- Chose a healthier lunch to eat
- Schedule an appointment for your nagging pain
- Breathe in some fresh air
- Schedule 10 minutes of uninterrupted time for yourself
This and so many more moments throughout the day can lead to a reduction in stress and a better focus on you. Because women – you deserve it!
Why healthcare needs strong, engaged care givers.
While historically women have been known to be strong advocates for their loved ones, it is not exclusively female trait to stay on top of health needs. It can be as simple as establishing strong relationships with health care providers of those they are helping to manage. This can be extremely important in getting the right information at the right time.
“For all of our patients, we emphasize the personal relationship we develop because you know your loved one best,” said Ms. Floyd. “If diet or medication isn’t being followed properly, it will have a negative effect on the treatments we are delivering. Pushing knowledge forward and seeking guidance only helps us, and them, reach their healing goals.”
So whether you are advocating for yourself, or being part of the 80 percent of women across this country who are caring for others – keep pushing the envelope to better health. You are all worth it.
#BreaktheBias
If you take the time to convince your husband, father, brother or son to step up to the plate in health care management, you are taking the first step towards your own healthier lifestyle. This endeavor is a worthy one that gives our men more empathy and emotional connection to other family members. If women will not ask for the equal division of family health management, they will likely never get it. By being the martyr and just doing it all ourselves, we are proliferating this bias for our daughters and granddaughters. #BreaktheBias doesn’t happen in a day, but it can begin today.
References:
1 – Women as health care decision-makers: implications for health care coverage in the United States