What is self care

Self care is about taking control of your own health and wellbeing. It is about how you avoid becoming ill, treat common, everyday illnesses and seek help when you need it as well as keeping fit and healthy.

Self management is taking action in managing your health condition on a day-to-day basis, and will need a variety of simple  skills or tools mentioned in the Pain Toolkit.

People with long term conditions spend on average six hours a year with a healthcare professionals, the rest of the time they take care of themselves.

Learning to take care of your own health is a good thing – it puts you in control, improves your quality of life and helps you live more healthily.

The NHS Choices website contains useful information on self care support and links to information on specific health conditions, from commonly occurring symptoms to long term conditions.

Your local pharmacist can give you help and advice about your health and wellbeing and about treating commonly occurring symptoms such as cough, cold, indigestion, muscle aches and pains. Your pharmacists advice can be even more useful if you have a long term condition.

You can also talk to your GP or practice nurse about how they can help you take control.

Many people with a long term condition have learned to be experts in their own care but some of us don’t understand our condition or know why we take medicines when we do. Learning to manage your condition can help you stay healthy.

You should also discuss your condition with your healthcare professional and draw up a care plan that focuses on the things that matter to you most. Find out more about personal health plans.

The Choose Well campaign is aimed at helping you to know how to self care and when to seek help.