Loving Self-Health on Valentine’s Day

There’s something about holidays and health problems. It may be the stress of living up to the pressure of the day, or the fact that drinking tends to increase during these times of the year. Whether or not Valentine’s Day holds special meaning for you and a certain someone, it’s a good day to reflect on the truest love of all – loving thyself and your health.

We want you to avoid a visit to a healthcare provider on Valentine’s Day and become a healthier you all year long. So, whether you’re either planning a romantic dinner for two or flying solo – use these tips to have a safer and better day.

1. Stay Smart About Sexual Health

The idealist says ‘love is in the air!’ The realist says, it’s always smart to be prepared. It may be an uncomfortable and unromantic conversation to have, but at the end of the day – there’s no room in a relationship for avoidable risks. According to CNN, around 2.3 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases were diagnosed in the United States last year. Additionally, the CDC reports that the three most common STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) are on the rise.

Keep yourself and your partner safe:

• Use protection every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex
• Get vaccinated against HPV and Hepatitis B
• Communicate with your partner about sexual health
• Get tested for STD/STIs before starting new relationships
• Always see a healthcare professional if you have any questions, or think anything might be wrong

2. Avoid Excessive Drinking

While not ranked as one of the booziest holidays, drinking on Valentine’s Day can become problematic especially when drinking an excessive amount. It can also be a gateway for those who already have a problem with alcohol consumption. Drinking in moderation is fine, barring individual health restrictions.

While drinking has been rumored to cause countless ailments, the link between drinking and depression is undeniable. Holidays can invoke feelings of isolation, and it becomes tempting to drown those emotions with alcohol. Even when paired off, a night out of the town can turn into a night of terror when drinking is mixed with driving.

Keep you and your loved one safe by:

• Never drinking and driving
• When drinking, drink in moderation
• Establishing a designated sober driver if traveling or eating out
• Enjoying a glass of water between every alcoholic beverage
• Recognizing symptoms of alcohol use disorder
• Avoiding mixing medications and alcohol by always reading labels

3. Mind Your Mental Health

Feeling down around the holidays? You’re not the only one.  Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults over the age of 18 in the United States every year.

Treat yourself right with these mental health tips:

• Use simple breathing exercises and meditation to take breaks and de-stress
• Keep a consistent sleep schedule that leaves you well rested and ready to take on the day
• Communicate how you’re feeling to those around you
• Use positive affirmations to give yourself a much-needed pat-on-the-back

Mental health and depression aren’t subjects to be taken lightly. If self-help tips are not enough, seek out professional help. After all, your most important relationship needs to be with yourself.

4. Put the Physical in Physical Health

Mental and physical health go together like chocolate and champagne, roses and love, candlelight and a romantic dinner. Unfortunately, this means that one health problem can potentially exacerbate another. There are many studies linking mental illnesses to worsening heart conditions, diabetes, and many other conditions.

While it may not feel like the most romantic activity, improving physical health and mental health together can be something that you do with your partner. Even small changes can make a big difference in your mental health, like having a daily fitness routine or adding at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and fruits to your balanced diet every day. Why not start with some chocolate covered strawberries? In fact, your Valentine’s Day Dinner is a great place to begin taking better care of both of your hearts.

In the short-term, holidays tend to couple with injuries. While we love being your first choice for urgent care and yearly exams, you can avoid the heart-covered band-aids and a trip to one of our practices by:

• Being careful during meal prep, especially around knives and other sharp objects
• Using caution when removing things from the oven or stovetop
• Checking that food is fully cooked before eating
• Avoiding heartburn and indigestion by not eating too fast

We hope you have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day. If you do need a little extra care that day we’re open seven days a week, no appointment or Valentine’s Day Card for our physicians needed.

MD Now^® Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers is the leading provider of fast and affordable urgent care to adults and children in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Our state-of-the-art, walk-in medical centers are open seven days a week to deliver an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. No appointment is necessary and major insurance plans are accepted. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of urgent care services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, our multiple locations offer digital x-rays, EKG, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, vaccines, occupational medicine, travel medicine and selected primary care services. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at MD Now. Online: www.MDNow.com.