Think self care for life

This Self Care Week 2019 (18 – 24 November) NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are encouraging people in Cheshire to invest in their future by looking after their health and wellbeing.

Self care is about people knowing what to do to help develop, protect, maintain and improve their own health and wellbeing.

Noreen Caldwell, Public Engagement and Involvement Manager at NHS Cheshire CCGs said:

“Self Care Week is a great opportunity to learn about the different ways you can incorporate self care into your daily life. Our health services are often under a lot of pressure, especially during the winter. By taking care of yourself to prevent illness, or by treating any minor ailments yourself, you will help relieve some of that pressure. This enables our health services to more readily support you when an illness needs more than self care.

“Over the past year a number of schools, colleges and organisations across Cheshire have been working towards the CCGs Self Care Awards. These Self Care Awards encourage people to learn more about topics like first aid, sun safety and immunisation and are a great way to join communities together in promoting self care messages.

“We’ve also worked with local GPs to create short videos which we’ll be sharing on social media as well as on screens in GP surgeries to help people learn more about self care and how to treat common illnesses themselves.”

Dr Teresa Strefford, Executive Clinical Director, NHS Cheshire CCGs added:

“Self Care Week is a great opportunity to learn about the different ways you can incorporate self care into your daily life. Our health services are often under a lot of pressure, especially during the winter. By taking care of yourself to prevent illness, or by treating any minor ailments yourself, you will help relieve some of that pressure.

“With the right advice and information, many minor illnesses can be treated effectively at home using a well-stocked medicine cabinet. Go to your local pharmacist for advice on treatments and how long your illness should last.

“If you are normally a healthy adult, common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets such as sickness and diarrhea are unpleasant, but you will begin to recover after three-four days. However, don’t hesitate to call NHS 111 or go to NHS 111 online if your symptoms fail to improve after a few days.”

During Self Care Week, and every day ‘think self care for life’ and make self care your life-long habit.