Work. Family. Life in general. It can all get in the way of prioritizing health and self-care — especially for women. A 2024 Gallup survey found that 6 in 10 women don’t put their health first.
Finding the right balance can be hard. But, says Darcy J. Spurgeon, PA-C, a Family Medicine Physician Assistant with Riverside Primary Care Kiln Creek, finding that balance is critical for women and their overall well-being.
“I like to remind women that they can’t care for others if they aren’t well themselves — physically or emotionally,” says PA Spurgeon, who has a special interest in women’s health. “It’s important that they find ways to make their health a top priority.”
Fortunately, she says, you can do this by finding time for yourself and spending time with those you love.
Set healthy boundaries and say “no”
Your mental health suffers when you have no time for self-care. Learn to say no to added activities or requests that keep you from getting the downtime you need to recharge.
“You’ve probably heard people say, ‘No is a complete sentence,’” PA Spurgeon says. “It really is. And you can say it without feeling guilty.”
Involve your family in achieving health goals
Taking time for yourself is important, but your path to better health doesn’t have to be lonely. Involving your family in your health goals is a good way to gain support and teach healthy habits to children.
Exercising together is one way to prioritize your health while spending time with loved ones. Try taking a family walk or hike to burn fat, build muscle, ease joint pain and boost mood.
“Walking is a great way to get exercise and fresh air,” PA Spurgeon says. “And it’s something you can do with your whole family.”
Another wonderful family activity is meal planning and prep. Work together to select and cook healthy recipes that everyone will enjoy.
Build healthy habits in every aspect of your life
Sometimes, even with the best intentions, it’s still challenging to make time for healthy habits. PA Spurgeon says in these instances, it’s important to figure out ways to build healthy habits into your routine.
If you sit at a desk for long hours, for example, consider adding stretches, chair squats or other heart-healthy desk exercises to your day.
For stress relief, try starting or ending your day with mindfulness practices like meditation or breathing exercises.
You could also add steps by parking further away from your office, on trips to the grocery store or while running other errands.
No matter what, you will feel better when you find balance and take steps to prioritize your health.
When you need a primary care provider, contact Riverside Health. Schedule an appointment through your MyChart account or call 757-534-5352.
