Self-care is extremely important. It includes everything from how we move our bodies to how much time we take for self-care activities, like reading a book or taking a long bubble bath. Even though it’s important, and most of us know it’s important, taking care of ourselves is still really hard.

Knowing how to start taking care of yourself better can be a challenge, but no other profession has a harder time than doctors. Although it’s true that not every doctor takes care of themselves quite like they should, there are things they are more likely to do than the general population that we can all learn from.

They Take Care of Medical Problems Quickly

It’s normal for many of us to live with pain and various symptoms for a long time before we get help. This often makes things worse. Doctors, on the other hand, are more likely to take care of medical problems as soon as they crop up.

If they become injured, they are more likely to hire an attorney to help long-term disability benefits, and they are more likely to schedule an appointment with a specialist to assess their condition.

It’s also important to note that they are more likely to say on top of their routine healthcare appointments too says this dentist who does high-quality dental implants in Chattanooga. That means scheduling mammograms and colonoscopies, but because they work with other medical professionals, they are often asking each other questions about new symptoms and whether they should see someone or not.

Exercise Is Part of Their Daily Routine

Doctors don’t have a lot of time for exercise, and it’s true that some doctors still don’t make time for movement, but many do. The ones that do exercise regularly are successful because they make it part of their daily routine.

Among the doctors who exercise regularly, first thing in the morning is the most popular time to squeeze in a workout. Many doctors like to jog, but you’ll also find physicians lifting weights, going for walks, and doing yoga.

This is important because doctors who exercise regularly are more likely to prescribe it to patients, and most patients would do well to get a little bit more exercise. If your doctor practices what they preach, you’ll be more likely to follow through with an exercise routine of your own.

More Restraint Around Tobacco and Alcohol

There are almost no doctors who smoke because they understand just how severe the health effects can be. Just a few of the health effects most commonly associated with smoking include:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Lung diseases
• Diabetes
• Emphysema
• Chronic bronchitis

They also understand the dangers of drinking, but that doesn’t mean doctors don’t drink. They are actually more likely to drink, but licensed physicians are also more likely to drink moderately when they do drink. They are much more likely to have just a few drinks every week, and they are less likely to drink more than four drinks in one evening.

More Mindful Eating

Doctors are more likely to pay closer attention to what they eat. It’s true that doctors aren’t immune to eating on the run, which means driving through a fast food restaurant on the way home, but they are also more likely to squeeze in healthy meals and snacks throughout the week.

Many doctors follow advice that includes things like eating heart healthy fats like nuts and avocados. They are more likely to limit their intake of red meat, and they squeeze a few servings of fish into their weekly diet, which has many health benefits.

They Take Their Vitamins

Doctors are busy. Most understand that they simply don’t have the time to eat well all the time, so they make sure to take their vitamins. They follow the advice from nutritionists which includes taking vitamins like vitamin D and calcium.

You’re also more likely to find doctors taking vitamin C as a way to try and stay well throughout flu season, especially if they work closely with patients who are sick. Vitamin B-12 and E are popular too, as are multivitamins that can be taken without thinking about the specifics of each and every ingredient.

Doctors are human, just like we are. That means they aren’t perfect, but because they are in the healthcare field, they understand the importance of taking care of themselves. Take a page from their self-care book and follow the tips on this list to take care of yourself the way they do.