September is National Self-Care Awareness Month. And it’s the perfect time to focus on your well-being! One way you can do this is by taking advantage of your preventive care benefits. But first, what exactly is self-care?
What is self-care?
Self-care is the process of taking care of your physical, mental and emotional health. This can include activities to help you live well, recharge and feel your best. It’s also something many of us ignore, especially when our stress levels are high. However, did you know practicing self-care and getting in touch with your body can help improve your mood, boost productivity and lower anxiety? When you pay close attention to your needs, you can develop a self-care routine for extra health and happiness.
Boosting your health with preventive care
A smart place to start on your self-care journey is with preventive care. Along with healthy eating and exercise, regular doctor visits, vaccines, screenings and early detection are key to a long, healthy life. Seeking care when you’re feeling well may seem unnecessary. But taking measures to stay up-to-date on your health can help improve health outcomes and reduce stress you feel when visiting your doctor.
Also, it’s important to note, preventive care is more than just your annual physical exam. Non-emergency care, including periodic screenings, diagnostic testing, immunizations, and even some approved medications and counseling all help maintain physical, emotional and mental well-being. Routine exams can help keep you and your family feeling well all year long and may even lower your health care costs over time. Taking extra time to care for yourself may feel like a luxury. However, it provides a strong foundation for healthy living.
Things you can do this September
Self-Care Awareness Month is a great time to schedule preventive care for you and your family. Depending on your age or theirs, you may want to consider specific services, such as a colon cancer screening, mammogram, bone density scan, prostate exam, HPV vaccine, or other age-appropriate tests.
You can also take time this September for your:
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- Annual wellness visits.
- Blood pressure or cholesterol screenings.
- Standard immunizations.
- Yearly dental and vision exams.
- Skin cancer screenings.
- Lab work and blood work.
Finding providers in your area
If you’re not sure which preventive services your health benefits cover, or where you can go for screenings, we can help! Meritain Health® members can call the Customer Service number on the back of their ID card or log into their account online. From there, you’ll discover information on understanding your benefits and finding in-network providers, labs and facilities. At Meritain Health, it’s our goal to simplify health care for our members.
With these tips, find it easier to focus on your self-care, preventive care and overall
well-being this September, and all year long!
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant as medical advice.