Self care – Practise self-care for life

Self-Care Week is an annual UK-wide national awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities, families and generations. At your GP Practice we have been busy filming some advice from your GPs, nurses and other surgery staff. Have a look at our You Tube channel and see if you can spot your favourite member of our team: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWeoOZ-b_SmP1aUJfsuakdQ?view_as=subscriber

MOVE, EAT, SLEEP, REPEAT

Both our physical and mental health are impacted by our lifestyle

Eating a healthy balanced diet accompanied by regular exercise is essential in maintaining physical and mental health and well-being. Not only are these effective in preventing excess weight gain or in maintaining weight loss, but healthier lifestyles are also associated with improved sleep and mood. For ideas and inspiration visit www.nhs.uk/change4life

Did you know you can get that from the pharmacy?

Pharmacists can offer advice and over-the-counter medication to help with a range of common conditions and minor injuries such as:

• common ailments such as coughs, colds, sore throats and the flu
• tummy trouble
• access to the morning after pill and pregnancy tests
• mild skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, athlete’s foot
• bruises, sunburn, and minor burns and scalds
• constipation and piles (haemorrhoids)
• hay fever, dry eyes and allergies (including rashes, bites and stings)
• aches and pains, including earache, headache, migraine, back pain and toothache
• vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
• period pain, thrush and cystitis
• head lice (nits)
• conjunctivitis, cold sores and mouth ulcers
• warts and verrucas
• nappy rash and teething

Vitamin D

It’s that time of year when we cannot make enough vitamin D from sunshine. To keep bones and muscles healthy, it’s best to take a vitamin D supplement every day between October and early March.

Vitamin D supplements are available from most pharmacies, supermarkets and other retailers. Just 10 micrograms a day is all you need – it’s the same for kids and grown-ups.

Food sources of Vitamin D include:

• oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
• red meat
• liver
• egg yolks
• fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals

Sleep

If you’re having sleep problems, there are simple steps you can take to ease those restless nights. Find out how to get to sleep and how to sleep better. www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/