As we celebrate National Wellness Month in August, it’s essential to prioritize self-care for overall success, whether in school, mid-career, or enjoying life after retirement. Choosing self-care is not just about pampering oneself, but about prioritizing rest, exercise, healthy foods, and mental and emotional check-ins to promote wellness.

Healthy Habits from Youth

Prioritizing wellness from a young age, such as getting eight hours of sleep, eating fruits and vegetables, and staying active, helps young people participate in physical activities, achieve in the classroom, and develop healthy habits to carry into adulthood.

As adults, choosing self-care, such as exercising a few times a week, getting a 15-minute nap, and cooking healthy foods, can make a significant difference in how one thrives in the workplace, navigates relationships, and overcomes challenges.

Community Commitment to Wellness

This month is a reminder that health and self-care are not just personal determinations, but a community commitment to promoting wellness. It’s the village that supports young people to ensure they start practicing healthy habits and have access to nutritious foods throughout their development.

Supporting and empowering individuals with chronic conditions and their care partners to perform self-care can improve patient well-being, decrease morbidity and mortality, and reduce healthcare costs, according to the NIH National Library of Medicine.

Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.