Next week is Self Care Week, an annual UK event that raises awareness of what we can all do to improve our physical health and mental wellbeing.

The campaign is aimed at empowering individuals to self-care as it has many benefits for short term and long term health. This is important since people are living longer, but not necessarily in good health. Helping people to look after their own health and their family’s health also helps to manage demand on health services.

The theme this year is “Mind & Body” and you can find lots of resources on the Self Care website here.

Here are some tips to consider for your own self care:

• Good nutrition and regular exercise to support general wellbeing and help maximise people’s immunity.
• Adopting positive lifestyle choices.
• Increasing health literacy levels in the community and in schools.
• Supporting mental wellness by keeping connected, ensuring a sense of perspective, and taking further steps to maintain health.
• Understanding how to manage minor and long term health conditions.
• Taking vitamin D supplements, particularly important for those unable to go outside.

In the download section of the UK News website: Exercise Self Care for Life – what to keep in your medicine cabinet (903 downloads) and Exercise Self Care for Life – which symptoms your local Pharmacist can help with (900 downloads) you can find some excellent advice about what to keep in your medicine cabinet, and which symptoms your local pharmacist can help with.  You will also find a Self Care Week poster here and The Power of Self Care poster here