I was thinking about spring this morning. The sky was a deep blue, cloudless. It was still cold, but some brave flowers were blooming and when I stood directly in the sun, I felt warm. For a minute. Then I hurried across the campus where I teach to grab a hot cup of coffee.
I was also thinking about women. The women around the world who don’t have the same rights that I have enjoyed. I was feeling a little afraid about the future of healthcare and reproductive rights. I made the decision to run in a charity event for breast cancer support at the end of the month and I wrote a check to Planned Parenthood.
Earlier this week, I went to the hospital for a test I’ve been putting off for five years. Won’t go into the details, but it was a horrible experience with a good clean ending. Fear should not keep us from taking care of ourselves. And it so great to check something off my list that doesn’t have to be done again for five years. My clients regularly speak to me about their medical fears. This time, it was me who took their advice to stay calm and positive.
Spring cleaning yourself after divorce
Preventative care. That’s what I’m talking about. It’s why we try to eat right and exercise and quit smoking. We need to start putting “us” on the calendar. There are so many things we put off for no reason other than: who really wants to visit a doctor or dentist if they don’t have to? Spring cleaning after divorce is about learning to focus on yourself more often.
People are not self-cleaning ovens.(Tweet it!)
We can’t just put our temperature on maximum and expect all the baked-on crud of a lifetime of bad habits to burn away. And after divorce, sometimes these things fall down even further on our to-do lists. But early detection saves lives.
As we get older, there are things that need to be monitored more closely. Mammograms should be done every year or two depending on your family history beginning at 40. Teeth cleaning should be done twice a year especially to help identify and prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Blood tests should be once a year. It’s good to have a baseline as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are generally cumulative problems that should not be left unchecked.
After a divorce, extra stress may play a role in your health as well. This is NOT the time to take less care of yourself. If your children are young, make an appointment for yourself when you make their annual appointments. It’s a good example for your children to know that once a year, you see the doctor too. Maybe next time they need a check-up it won’t be a struggle to get them to go. And maybe you’ll start to worry and care for yourself the way you worry and care for your loved ones.
My daughter just reminded me that her dentist appointment is Thursday. I guess I better call and make an appointment too!
Now over to you: How will you commit to taking better care of yourself this spring? I’d love to hear!
