Women and Self-Care
by Eliezer Bernard Owusu Ntim
Our general well-being and overall health is essential as humans on this earth--women included. As they say, "Health is wealth." This is why it is necessary that women take their health and wellness seriously if they indeed want to live their best lives or become more equipped to give their best to society or the world. There's very little that a sick woman can accomplish. Here are some of the ways in which I believe a woman can take care of herself to become that better version she's always dreamed of!
The first, most important thing, is to take your mental health seriously as a woman. Everything we are and will ever become begins with our minds. So if your mental health is not right, your life is going to be deeply affected in many ways from physical, to social, to economic, to spiritual. Many times women tend to cater to everyone's needs except theirs which is good because it earns them the title of good wife or good mother. But you are not called to become just a good wife or mother on this earth. You have a bigger purpose to be a good human in all things and that means putting yourself first and making sure you're always in the right frame of mind. Find time to do the things you love. Believe in a higher power. Find a strong support system. Don't feed your brain with the negativity circulating but instead hold onto faith and love and grace. Spend time in the company of loved ones. Visit a therapist or talk to friends when you are going through tough times. Don't keep things inside till they overwhelm you. When a woman pays attention to her mental health and treats it like a priority, she'll be a lot happier and fulfilled.
Now that we've tackled the inside, let's delve into the physical, the outward, what we see. Physical health in women is as important as mental health. In fact, the two go hand in hand. You really can't take care of one and ignore the other and expect your body to function right. One of the ways that women can take care of themselves physically is to pay attention to their personal hygiene. This means bathing regularly to get rid of germs, taking care of their hair, wearing neat and washed clothes, keeping their immediate surroundings clean, and just making sure they are living in a conducive atmosphere for growth.
Another way that women can pay attention to their physical health is through good nutrition. Whatever is going into your mouth from the plate is so important. Women need to pay particular attention to the kind of foods they consume. In order for your bodies to be well nourished, you can't just grab any junk food and chuck it down your throats just because they feel nicer on the tongue. Much thought must be placed on the food you eat. Try introducing more fruits and veggies into your diet. Drink enough water to stay hydrated. Being dehydrated makes your skin dry and poses a lot of health risks while being hydrated even helps your skin glow, and what woman does not want to glow? Sadly most women do not know that the reason behind their fast aging and numerous skin problems all boils down to the things they ingest. So be mindful of what you eat, my dear, and life will be easier
The last but not the least thing I want to talk about is exercise. Women, try and make exercise a priority or part of your everyday schedule. A lot of women out there either don't exercise at all or exercise out of convenience or only when they see that belly jutting out. But exercise is more than just keeping in shape and burning that belly fat. In fact, it's been proven that regular (at least thirty minutes) of exercise each day helps to not only keep your body fit, but protects you against cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and many others. Exercise improves your general health, gives you good heart health, and improves your productivity. It keeps you in a great mood--makes you alert and ready for the day instead of going about your day all tired and grumpy. So ladies, hit that gym and see yourself accomplish more than you ever have. It doesn't have to be vigorous exercise per se. Even just ten minutes of walking during work breaks counts. Thirty squats early in the morning before you rush to work counts. Those fifteen minutes of jogging around the house are better than zero. So start small and make sure to be consistent. Your body will thank you for it soon enough!
I know there are many other important things I didn't touch on, but these four top my list for how to get your maximum self-care as a woman. Continually practicing these can transform your life and move you a step closer to a happier and healthier lifestyle.