So many women today are like magicians: performing a balancing act that sometimes feels impossible. From the moment they wake up, they’re running the show: brewing coffee, getting kids ready for school, prepping for that big work meeting, mentally meal-planning, and maybe even caregiving for a parent, too. (Did somebody say, “sandwich generation”?) And that’s to say nothing of the mental load of staying healthy: keeping track of doctor’s appointments and managing prescriptions, all while squeezing in time at the gym. Women are often the “unsung CEOs” of their households, which leaves them precious little time to focus on their own well-being.
That struggle is compounded by the overwhelming amount of health and medical info available today. “There’s an information overload right now,” says Audrey Cruz, MD, an internal medicine physician. “It’s a great thing to have a lot of information available to us, but there are so many sources that it can get very confusing and challenging to navigate.”
Even as a healthcare professional, Dr. Cruz recognizes the challenges that come with managing personal health while balancing the demands of daily life. “As a mom, even though I’m in healthcare, it’s still very hard to find care for myself,” she shares.
Dealing with overwhelming to-do lists can take a toll, but it’s important to keep your health a top priority — as the airplane PSA goes, you have to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. Says Dr. Cruz, “We need to make sure our cup is full so that we can help fill others’ cups.” But what can help lessen your burden?
New resources to help manage your healthcare
The platform PfizerForAll aims to address these very challenges, providing a centralized, trusted resource where you can access healthcare resources and take action all in one place. Dr. Cruz, who partnered with Pfizer to help promote the new platform, says, “PfizerForAll is great because it helps relieve the stress of managing your healthcare by streamlining the process of finding information, understanding your options, and then helping you to take the next step to get care.”
The platform offers solutions tailored to the needs of busy schedules, enabling adults to schedule vaccine appointments, get home delivery of medicines and tests for Covid-19 and flu, and schedule telehealth or in-person appointments with independent healthcare professionals. “One thing I love is the telehealth option,” says Dr. Cruz. “During flu season or if you’re starting to feel symptoms like the sniffles, you don’t know if it’s the flu or just a cold. This is a great resource to get testing, care, and guidance on what can be done next.”
And for millions of Americans managing chronic conditions such as migraines, or those navigating the issue of routine vaccinations, PfizerForAll is a valuable destination. Dr. Cruz says, “These days, there is a lot of information available from various places, which is great, but can be overwhelming. I’ve found having one place that’s easy to navigate, like PfizerForAll, can make a big impact.”
Keeping self-care a priority
In her dual role as a mother and physician, Dr. Cruz understands firsthand the tendency for caregivers to neglect their own health. “There are certain things that are just non-negotiables for me because self-care is so important,” says Dr. Cruz. “For me, prioritizing sleep is really important because it sets the tone for my day.”
Beyond sleep, Dr. Cruz highlights other ways she invests in herself, from spa days and exercise to maintaining a social life. “Personally, one thing I learned during the pandemic is that socialization is very important for my mental health,” Dr. Cruz shares. “I make time to see my friends. We have random Wednesday night outings and those help me maintain healthy relationships, which is key for my self-care.”
Remember: You have to thrive in order to help others
“People are navigating so much,” says Dr. Cruz. “They’re taking care of themselves, their families, and their careers. Having a resource like PfizerForAll makes such an impact on the future of healthcare and how we can care for ourselves and others.”
By empowering people with the tools they need to manage their health, we all benefit. Because when the family CEO thrives, everyone else does, too.
The information provided on this site isn’t intended as medical advice, and shouldn’t replace professional medical treatment. Consult your doctor with any serious health concerns.
