Where's the beef?

I've been having some rib pain for a while. More specifically, the left side. It was time for me to see someone about it.

I went to see an osteopath. So what's an osteopath?

According to the American Osteopathic Association,  it "is a complete system of health care with a philosophy that combines the needs of the patient with the current practice of medicine. Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) practice a whole-person approach, which means they consider both the physical and mental needs of their patients." (source)

I've been to see an osteopath before and it was a lot of help. It fixed me up real good, hence, I decided to see a new one.

Long story short, after being told I was out of alignment, which made complete sense to me, I was also told that I need to eat more red meat, since it seems like I might be low in iron and vitamin B12. I was also told to go get some blood tests via my family doctor. Needless to say, that's a work in progress.

Hence, I'm now trying to eat red meat 2 to 3 times a week. The problem is that I don't like red meat. I occasionally eat it, when I crave it, when I want it, but that's rare. Like really rare.

So, I am now one of those people who is now going to required to eat red meat. Strange but true. I, your handy neighborhood blogger, is now one of the few people who has been asked by a health care professional to eat red meat.

So, where's the beef?

Begin with the basics

In an ideal world, every single person would take some time to take care of themselves and decrease stress. However, this isn't an ideal world and there is LOTS of things that get in the way of focusing on yourself, from friends, family, work, weather (Yup, Canadian), or having to wear glasses for two weeks (yup, I'm vain).

Life has a way of getting the way and the first thing that goes out the window? Self-care.

(source)

So what exactly is self-care? The National Association of Drama Therapy describes it as the following:

"In order to provide our clients with the best possible treatment, we must be at our best, and in order to be at our best, we all need to take care of ourselves.." (source)

(Now, I bet you are reading this and are like "I'm not a therapist, or a doctor, or a insert profession here" and that's perfectly fine. You don't need to be a professional to practise self-care techniques! I just happen to focus be a counsellor and my profession is big on the self-care. Like, I have more lectures than I know what to do with big.)

Self-care is one of those topics that I find is easier said than done. Even for me, Ms. Fancy Pants Professional. So where exactly does one start? Why, the basis of course!

 

Tara's Begin with the Basics

1-Get 8 to 10 hours a sleep a night, or however much you actually need.

2-Eat properly.

• The 3 meals a day, 2 snacks, lots of water approach. The more "natural" the better.

3-Exercise.

•  Ideally 2 to 3 times a week of something you enjoy doing, be it Zumba, walking the dog, or yoga.

4-Have an active social network, filled with people who love and care about you.

• Be it family, friends, co-workers, neighbours, or your pet, these people not only provide you emotional support, but also some people to unwind with.

To me, these four things are just that, the basics. There is much more to self-care, which I'm planning on bringing up down to the line for further posts.

But start here!

And perhaps most importantly, your physical health will thank you too.