Written by: Sherry Buckley-Brown, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As women, we're often called to fulfill many roles. And among the many hats we wear, whether that of a mother, wife, hopeful entrepreneur, or successful businesswoman, there's always a list full of demands we must adhere to on any given day. And with the needs of family, community, and work, it can be challenging to find time for self-care. But even though finding the time may be tricky to maneuver, if you understood how imperative it is to function correctly daily, you would be clearing your schedule to find space for this selfless act.
The term "self-care" gets thrown around so much that sometimes, it's hard to pinpoint what it is and why it's crucial to our everyday functions. So, what is it, exactly? The National Institute of Mental Health defines self-care as "the practice of taking time for your mental, physical, and spiritual health."
However, it's not just about pampering yourself, although a bit of pampering occasionally never hurt a soul. It can include various activities like cooking healthy meals, practicing yoga or tai chi, spending quality time with family and friends, or taking a vacation. Anything that removes you from your daily duties, and makes you feel calm and relaxed. And just so you understand how good it is, we've devised eight reasons self-care is essential for women.
Reason 1: Stress Management & Reduction
Whether it's finding that perfect work-life balance or dealing with societal pressures, women have experienced it all. It can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming to try and manage everything successfully. Self-care is an important tool for reducing stress and engaging in activities that promote relaxation, help reduce stress levels and improve overall health and well-being.
Unfortunately, not partaking in self-care can add a tremendous amount of stress and leave a lot of women at risk for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. So, by taking the time for self-care, you can reduce stress's physical and mental effects to feel more balanced and content.
Reason 2: Improved Sleep Quality
If you've ever laid awake at night because your brain just won't shut off from all of the overstimulation in a day, you're not alone! As women, we are always on the go and trying to get everything marked off our lists; and taking time for ourselves can help our sleep patterns.
So, take the time each day to de-stress, even if it's only for several minutes. Doing this can significantly reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. And as we've been told since birth, good sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being.
Reason 3: Boosted Confidence & Self-Esteem
If you're stressed out to the max and not sleeping well, it can sometimes take a toll on how you see yourself and your self-confidence. Self-care allows individuals to focus on their needs and feelings, which can help increase self-awareness and build self-confidence.
Moreover, engaging in activities such as exercising, journaling, and meditation can help foster a positive mindset and improve your self-worth. It's also worth noting that doing these activities can bring a balance you've often dreamt about having.
We all want to feel good about our mental and physical health, and we've all been in a position where we haven't at some point in our lives. So, if you need a boost in confidence and self-esteem, start making time for yourself.
Reason 4: Improved Mental Health
Good mental health is crucial for everyday life, especially for women. Unfortunately, we often get so bogged down that it can sneak up and take a toll on our mental health. And making time for extra-curricular activities during the week can keep us on track with managing our emotions. Do some research and start figuring out what activities bring you joy or relaxation, such as reading, playing an instrument, or walking. Oftentimes, a simple 5-minute walk around the block can help you reset.
Sometimes, you have to provide an opportunity to take a break from the pressures of life to foster a sense of personal satisfaction. In particular, when women take the time to practice self-care, they can better manage their mental health and build the resilience they need to face the challenges of everyday life.
Reason 5: Better Physical Health
As we know, good physical health is essential for our well-being and has many benefits. For example, it helps maintain healthy body weight, reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and boosts immunity. Good physical health also helps improve mental health and reduces stress. And to add to the list, having good physical health makes it more likely to fight off illness and disease.
Your physical health can suffer if you don't have a healthy self-care routine. Your body can become fatigued and stressed from lack of rest and sleep, and you may develop aches and pains from prolonged stress or tension. As women, we need all of the pluses on our side- and starting a good self-care routine can make a difference.
Reason 6: Better everyday performance
Have you ever woken up to start your day and felt sluggish from the moment you put your feet on the floor? If you answered yes, know it's common. With our busy lives, we often forget to stop and smell the roses- which makes for an unhealthy spiral. When things are off-kilter, it's easy to stop exercising, eating healthy, and doing the things that make us feel good. In other words, convenience becomes our best bud in the race against the clock.
It's worth mentioning that feeling sluggish or worn down can have a profound negative effect on your everyday performance, and having a self-care routine in place helps to battle this fatigue, especially for women. With multiple roles ‒ daughter, sister, friend, mother, wife, employee, and more - and without taking the time to prioritize your own needs, you can quickly become overwhelmed, exhausted, and unable to manage all of the tasks you have to do effectively.
This over-exertion without a plan in place can lead to burnout, reduced productivity, and feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. This is the reason that self-care is essential to ensure that women can function optimally and find balance in their lives, as well as in their work. Taking the time to do this can help you feel more energized and better able to handle the demands of the day-to-day.
Reason 7: Helps you bounce back quicker
If you've ever been in a debacle where everything in your life feels like it's falling apart, you undoubtedly know how hard it is to bounce back after everything is said and done. It can take months to feel normal after coming out of a rough patch, which makes it especially hard to stay afloat.
A good self-care routine makes bouncing back from setbacks easier, and here's why. When we take the time to properly care for ourselves, we have the physical, emotional, and mental energy to make it through difficult life experiences. In addition, a good self-care routine can give us a sense of security and stability, allowing us to face challenges with a clear and focused mind.
Additionally, regular self-care activities can give us the strength and resilience to return from setbacks, especially those involving mindfulness, relaxation, and stress-management techniques. When we take the time to care for ourselves properly, we have the tools to pick ourselves up and start again after experiencing challenging situations.
Reason 8: Helps you build better relationships
Building relationships with others can sometimes be complex, especially if you need more time to do something outside your everyday schedule. And knowing how tedious schedules can often be, especially for working women and mothers, it's easy to assume you simply don't have time. However, there's a light at the end of the tunnel!
A healthy self-care routine is essential for women to create better relationships. Even though it might seem impossible, taking time for yourself each day is a simple but powerful way to show yourself love and appreciation. Doing this helps to nurture your well-being and allows you to be in a better headspace to make more mindful choices in relationships. In addition, this can help you to communicate more effectively, be more compassionate, and build stronger bonds with those around you.
Ultimately, having a self-care routine can help to reduce stress levels and improve your coping mechanisms. This can be a huge benefit when it comes to managing interpersonal relationships, as it allows you better to manage your emotions, reactions, and responses. Overall, taking time to practice self-care can positively impact relationships by making you more present, mindful, and understanding. And who doesn't want that?
Take Away's
If you take away anything, let it be this: The pain of finding the time for a self-care routine is smaller than the pain of not having one in place. Practicing self-care is an essential part of being a woman. It's not only a way to prioritize your physical and mental health; it's a path to maximizing your potential.
Self-care is not just about pampering yourself; it's about taking the time to nurture your well-being. And when you take the time to care for yourself, you are better equipped to care for those you care about (say this aloud several times!). Self-care is a necessary and essential practice that every woman should make a part of her life. And if it includes spa days and vacations, so be it – you're worth it!
Sherry Buckley-Brown, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sherry Buckley-Brown is a Life and Leadership Coach that empowers individuals to recognize their natural born talents and skills. She uses tools and techniques to help you do a deep dive and put a plan of action in place to help you lead your authentic life. Sherry has faced many tragedies in her life and she has dedicated her life to helping others identify what is holding them back and get beyond STUCK. Sherry's famous quotes ‒ "If Not Now Then When" "Life is Short". "Sooner Rather Than Later". If you are ready for your next level, Sherry awaits your call.
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