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Take Time to Ask, What's Up, Doc?

| 6 Comments |
I never go to the doctors. I know that's bad, but I'm relatively young and never had any health issues before. It's a waste of a lot of time (and money) to go for annual physicals only to have the doctor tell you you're fine, which you already knew. It's like asking a meteorologist what the weather is currently while standing next to an open window.

But you never know what's brewing over the horizon. As I'm rushing headlong toward 40 in the next couple of years, I'm finding it's not so hard to take the time as I previously thought. This is in part because I have come to realize the world does not fall apart if I spend an hour or two at the doctors every once in a while. Or when I finally determine a day or two when I can take time off, I actually make an effort to take the time off.

Women tend to take care of everyone but themselves, whether it's kids or parents or significant others. They insist any of those loved ones go to the doctor's office immediately or take it easy when they're not well, yet women do not require the same of themselves. Many work full time, come home often to do most if not all the domestic chores, volunteer, and run kids to various activities in the evening.
Given that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that stress-related illnesses were twice as high in women than men, working women's health is of particular concern. Work-related stress was also linked to heart disease, muscle and bone disorders, depression and burnout. In fact, job stress affected immunological biomarkers in a test performed on female nurses. In addition, 1 in 8 adult women binge drink and a large percentage come from homes with $75,000 or more in household income. Women also feel nervous-or at least admit to it-more than men. The National Health Interview Survey by the CDC found that women felt nervous most if not all of the time in the 30 days running up to being interviewed for the study, while 12% of men said they did. And yet women's life expectancy increased. We must be tougher-go figure.

Women may be able to out-multitask men, but that doesn't mean we always should. Take time off to see the doctor or to kick your feet up with a glass (or two) of wine. How much damage can the men really do while we're away?

By Sarah Snell Cooke
Publisher/editor-in-chief of CU Times
Tags
Challenges Facing Women in Leadership Positions, Impact of Women in Society


Comments

Francesca McFadden

I think we're all a little guilty of not making some time for ourselves to destress. Thank you for reminding us that we need to take some time to make sure that we're taking care of ourselves so that we can be better focused, productive, healthy and happy. :)


Francesca McFadden

I think we're all a little guilty of not making some time for ourselves to destress. Thank you for reminding us that we need to take some time to make sure that we're taking care of ourselves so that we can be better focused, productive, healthy and happy. :)


Catherine Rogers

Thanks for the great article!  This is so true.  We know better but we still don't take the time for ourselves.  I am stealing a few minutes out of today for myself by reading Network stuff. Reading the article and comments has lifted some of my stress..Thank you Sisters!  The last line is the best I am still laughing out loud!  Now if I can just find that wine opener :-)  and the number for a yoga class :-)


Samantha Beeler

Guilty! I e-mailed this to my husband with an agreement to finally go to the dentist, eye doctor, and for a check up! All of which I have been putting of for over a year now!

Thank you for taking time to encourage the rest of us to take the time and look after our health. 



Thanks! Great post -- self-care is so important! Sometimes the pressures can just get too much with work and family, but we deserve the opportunity to take care of ourselves. You can always write it off as insurance to make sure that you are up for fulfilling all your other commitments.

Don't forget to try yoga or some kind of exercise, if you can. 

Now if i could just screw up my courage enough to that colonoscopy I promised to take...

 



Thanks! Great post -- self-care is so important! Sometimes the pressures can just get too much with work and family, but we deserve the opportunity to take care of ourselves. You can always write it off as insurance to make sure that you are up for fulfilling all your other commitments.

Don't forget to try yoga or some kind of exercise, if you can. 

Now if i could just screw up my courage enough to that colonoscopy I promised to take...