Self-Care is Essential for Health: CONASAMA

In observance of the International Self-Care Day, the National Commission for Mental Health and Addictions (CONASAMA) promoted the adoption of self-care practices to enhance mental well-being.

“Focusing on one's own health begins with adopting self-care measures; this means engaging in regular exercise, getting enough sleep, maintaining a nutritious diet, nurturing emotional connections and reducing stress,” says Juan Manuel Quijada, Head, CONASAMA. 

Self-care can involve both medication and healthy habits, explains Roberto Beyrute, General Manager, Haleon to MBN. Self-care complements and strengthens health, becoming an integral part of a comprehensive approach to healthcare by enhancing primary care and contributing to achieving universal health coverage, as reported by WHO.

CONASAMA promotes five essential self-care measures for overall well-being. First is engaging in regular exercise and physical activity to enhance physical health, increase energy levels and reduce stress and anxiety. Second is a balanced and nutritious diet with proper hydration. Third is sleeping enough and avoiding screen exposure before bedtime. Fourth is engaging in social interactions and meaningful connections with loved ones and community members. Finally, CONASAMA emphasizes managing stress through the practice of meditation, breathing techniques and relaxation methods to foster a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

"We, from CONASAMA, aim to raise awareness among individuals, letting them know that they can develop skills to confront challenges and maintain a healthy lifestyle," adds Quijada. 

The WHO recommends self-care interventions for all countries as a crucial step toward achieving universal health coverage. These interventions empower individuals to take control of their health and improve access to healthcare. Various self-care interventions cover a range of health aspects, such as self-administered contraceptives, screening for various infections, blood pressure monitoring and techniques for managing mental health issues and stress.

“Self-care interventions are an integral part of health systems and can significantly expand options for delivering healthcare services, especially for those who are most underserved,” said Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research and HRP,  WHO. 

Technology has become a valuable tool in the enhancement of self-care. “The more digitally literate patients are, the more information they can learn about self-care and disease prevention, how to get the most out of an online visit, and how to use apps, services and devices,” says Adrián Alcantara, Country Manager, Doctoralia Mexico, to MBN.