International Self-Care Day

Because physical, mental, and sexual health is essential to anyone’s self-care routine, we’re pleased to highlight International Self-Care Day (ISD) in this blog post!

ISD focuses on raising the worldwide profile of self-care as the foundation of everyone’s healthy lifestyle, and it takes place on the same day every year. Keep reading to learn about ISD and why it’s time to focus on your self-care and better sexual health.

When Does International Self-Care Day Take Place?

The whole world recognizes July 24th as ISD. It’s excellent that ISD happens every year, but one day should also symbolize to everyone that self-care benefits us 24/7 and for our entire lives. Celebrating one day like ISD every year allows us to see self-care programs in action!

What Does The WHO Say Regarding ISD?

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes self-care as promoting and maintaining good health, disease prevention, and the ability of any person, family, or community to cope with illnesses and disabilities independently and through a healthcare provider.

The WHO believes that ISD is critical because self-care benefits every country and every person regardless of location or financial situation. Self-care leads to better universal healthcare, and it serves vulnerable populations and helps keep the world safer.

These methods show how self-care enables people and communities worldwide to become active agents in managing their healthcare:

• By promoting better health and preventing and controlling diseases
• Healthy self-medicating
• Providing assisted care and rehabilitation to dependents
• Providing palliative care while maintaining their good health.

The Seven Pillars of Self-Care, Plus Sexual Health

Self-care can be better described through these seven pillars in a framework developed by the International Self-Care Foundation:

Healthcare Knowledge and Literacy

Pillar 1 is the capacity of people to access and understand primary healthcare to make informed decisions for their best health.

Self-Awareness and Agency

Pillar 2 is the individual engaging in healthcare screening to know their body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, and blood pressure.

Physical Activity

Pillar 3 promotes physical activity for better health, focusing on a moderate-intensity exercise program like cycling, walking, or other group sports like tennis or ball games at regular intervals.

Healthier Eating

Pillar 4 promotes a nutritious, balanced diet and a daily calorie intake for healthy weight and energy.

Mitigating Unhealthy Risks

Pillar 5 suggests avoiding or quitting tobacco products, reducing alcohol consumption, following vaccine mandates, practicing safe sex, and wearing sunscreens.

Good Personal Hygiene 

Pillar 6 recommends regular handwashing, twice-daily toothbrushing at a minimum, and safe handling of meats and washing fruits and vegetables before consumption.

Rational, Responsible Taking of Medications and Other Products

Pillar 7 is anyone aware of the dangers of medications or other products labelled as “health products” and being responsible when ingesting these products.

Our Focus Is Sexual Health

Because Oakwood Health Network (OHN) specializes in men’s health and focuses on healthy sexuality, we’ve added a pillar to the list: Men’s Sexual Health!

How We Define Sexual Health

We found the best definition of sexual health through the CDC (Center for Disease Control) with input from the Health Resources and Services Administration Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment.

Sexual health is a lifetime of sexual satisfaction that benefits all persons’ physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

In addition, sexual health promotes a positive, equitable, and respectful approach to sex in relationships and reproductive efforts that are coercion-free, minus fear, discrimination, stigma, shame, and violence. 

Here’s what sexual health should mean to you: 

• Understanding sexual behaviour and the benefits, risks, and responsibilities of healthy sex
• Preventing sexual diseases and proper care in treating unwanted outcomes that arise
• Focusing on fulfilling sexual relationships. 

In Honour of ISD, Treat Yourself to Better Sexual Health Always

We’ve taken tips from the WHO on sexual health and preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

The WHO believes in:

• Sexual health free of discrimination in sexual identity and sexual relationships
• Assisting people with sexual dysfunctions through sexual health counselling
• Promoting positivity in sexual and social development
• Preventing (or controlling) sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV
• Preventing (or managing) cancers of the sexual reproductive system in men and women.

OHN Is Here for Your Sexual Health and Well-Being

The WHO calls sexual health a fundamental human right, and at OHN, we’re committed to your sexual health and well-being. So on July 24th this year, honour yourself on International Self-Care Day by putting your sexual health first!

We specialize in diagnosing and treating issues that affect your sexual health. We offer eight tailor-made strategies to patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), Peyronie’s Disease, premature ejaculation, hormonal imbalances, and mental health or weight issues that affect your sexual health and intimate relationships. 

To benefit anyone concerned about their sexual health, OHN offers this free self-assessment to you online, so you can begin the process in comfort and confidence before reaching out to one of our clinics in Oakville, Toronto, or Brampton.

At OHN, we treat each patient individually and take your concerns seriously. Call us today to discuss your sexual health or schedule a free consultation!