October 10^th is World Mental Health Day – designated in honor of global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigmas. It also serves as an important calendar reminder that mental wellness is just as important to maintain as physical wellness. And while most people think of these two categories of health, the mental and the physical, as completely separate, the reality is that they are inherently interconnected. Poor physical health inevitably impacts mental health, and mental health struggles commonly affect the way a person cares for their physical body as well.

As anyone who has been recently diagnosed with a physical ailment knows well, the process of accepting and adapting to a new medical condition can be just as trying mentally as it is physically. Especially true for our incontinence warriors, the physical experience is just one piece of a complicated health puzzle.

To help more people think of their health in a more complete and holistic manner, author and psychologist Dr. John Arden devised a useful mnemonic – SEEDS – to describe the five most essential factors for maintaining and improving one’s mental and physical wellbeing.

These five essential factors are Social connectivity, Exercise, Education, Diet, and Sleep.

Vital to maintaining our mind, brain, and overall physical health, focusing on these five factors makes the vague task of “being healthy” feel slightly less overwhelming. Especially for those who experience regular incontinence, SEEDS is an important reminder that life doesn’t have to (and definitely shouldn’t!) stop just because of your urinary or bowel challenges. Investing in high-quality absorbency products enables anyone, even those with the most severe incontinence, to continue living a normal, healthy lifestyle.

How to Incorporate SEEDS in Your Daily Life with Incontinence:

S – Social Connectivity

When trying to navigate the early days of managing incontinence, withdrawing from social activities and commitments is one of the slipperiest rabbit holes someone can fall into. And, of course, it makes sense. Incontinence brings up lots of difficult feelings for many people, including shame, embarrassment, and anxiety. And it can feel easier to avoid socializing than having to confront these emotions. But, it’s important to remember that you are not alone!

Staying socially connected to the people you care about and who care about you is integral to living a long, healthy life. Whether you want to share your incontinence experience with them or not is up to you, but incontinence symptoms should never be your excuse for missing out on important moments with loved ones.

NorthShore Care Supply is proud to offer discrete and comfortable absorbency-wear for a full day of leak-free protection, making sure that our customers never have to miss a moment.

Additionally, finding the right kind of social support can be a game-changer in addressing the emotional challenges that accompany incontinence. Online support groups offer great ways of connecting with other people who understand exactly what you’re going through.

E – Exercise

This one might be the most obvious of the bunch, but staying physically active, moving every day, and breaking a sweat as often as possible are some of the most important things anyone can do to stay healthy – both physically and mentally.

It’s best to try to aim for 30 minutes of physical activity every day. But how you do that is completely up to you! Go for a bike ride, take a walk, play a game of pickleball, or try a Pilates class. The best part about finding incontinence products you can trust is that suddenly nothing is off the table. 

We recommend finding an absorbency product that promotes a slimmer, snugger fit and breathability for the best experience while exercising.

E – Education

The old adage that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” couldn’t be further from the truth. One of the best ways to keep the mind sharp and the brain healthy is to learn new things and stay continuously curious. You are never “too old” to learn. You can always sign up to take a class, read a new book, try a new hobby. Ultimately, as Dr. Arden explains, learning helps build up the brain’s connectivity and cognitive reserves, helping the brain stay healthier as it ages.

And just because it’s something that bears repeating – you are never too old.

D – Diet

Importantly here, the word “diet” doesn’t refer to any kind of trendy rules-based way of eating like keto or paleo. Instead, we mean it in a more general way. The importance of eating a healthy diet, low in simple carbohydrates, processed foods, and saturated fats, cannot be overstated. The food we eat fuels our body, from the cellular level up, and lays the groundwork for every other part of life. The goal isn’t always weight loss either, though sometimes that can help. Eating a healthier diet is important for anyone, regardless of your weight-loss goals.

For those who experience incontinence, you are probably more familiar than most about how much of an impact your daily diet can have on your life. Incorporating small changes to your routine, such as avoiding caffeine, carbonated drinks, and other bladder irritants, can make a big difference. Additionally, making sure you are getting plenty of magnesium and fiber in your diet is helpful as well. Good sources of both include dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and beans.

But, importantly, a healthy diet can still be fun! Check out this list of urinary health-friendly mocktails for yummy recipe ideas and healthy foods to pair them with.

S – Sleep

Last, but definitely not least, getting a good night’s sleep is imperative to good mental health. Aim for at least six hours of sleep every night (seven to eight is ideal!), and get in the habit of practicing good sleep hygiene. Especially important for anyone who has ever experienced insomnia, good sleep hygiene includes things like winding down for an hour before bed without any screens or television and making sure the bedroom is cool and dark.

While a good night’s sleep often feels out of reach for those with incontinence, investing in premium quality absorbency products truly can make all the difference. NorthShore’s adult diapers such as MegaMax Overnight Diaper are specifically designed for up to 12 hours of leak-free protection and comfort, making it the perfect nighttime option for the kind of sleep you’ve only ever dreamed about.

We fully understand that you’ve likely been burned more than a few times by other brands with similar claims and that this is all something you have to try for yourself in order to believe. And that’s exactly why we’ve created our product sample program. You can try out any of our premium products before purchasing a full pack and figure out exactly which ones you like the best.

Taking care of your body and mental health is a constant journey, and we are honored by the chance to be a part of yours. If you have any questions or need any kind of help determining what products might suit you best, please reach out to us anytime at info@northshorecare.com or give us a call at 800-563-0161.

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