The holidays are a time of togetherness, of merry making and joy and magic. A time when many women find themselves caught in an impossible tangle of work demands, family responsibilities, and personal fulfillment.
Unfortunately, for many women, wellness takes a backseat to all life’s other responsibilities and demands, especially at this time of year. Sure, they want to luxuriate in the bathtub or hide under the covers with a book, but they also want to make sure everyone they love has their favorite food on the table when they gather and that nobody feels bummed by what didn’t make it under the tree.
Women’s wellness is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Just like one pair of jeans won’t suit every body, women’s wellness is a personalized journey meant to identify needs and desires and prioritize time for self. Some days wellness is about blocking off time for a facial with friends. Other days it’s just remembering to take your multivitamin!
Hormonal fluctuations, societal expectations, and constantly shifting roles makes the female experience one marked by never-ending triumphs and tribulations. Let’s explore a few unique challenges women face that can make prioritizing wellness a real challenge.
JUGGLING ROLES & EXPECTATIONS
Women, the eternal multitaskers, often perform a daily balancing act. From career development to family responsibilities, societal expectations to personal ambitions, the plethora of roles women assume can be both enriching and overwhelming.
This intricate balance often leads to stress, anxiety, and a constant battle to meet perceived expectations. Understanding and addressing these unique stressors is crucial to promoting mental health and support.
RIDING HORMONAL WAVES
The ebb and flow of hormones add another layer of complexity to the experience of women. Menstrual cycles bring about hormonal fluctuations that can impact mood, energy levels, and emotional well-being. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and its more severe counterpart, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), are hormonally-triggered disturbances to mental wellness that can bring a woman’s world to a screeching halt.
As women transition through life stages, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menopause bring on a new set of mental health considerations. Mood swings, hot flashes, and changes in sleep patterns can all contribute to emotional challenges.
MANAGING MOTHERHOOD
Motherhood is without question an incredible life experience, one that brings unmatched richness and joy… and stress and frustration and exhaustion. There, we said it.
Just like professionals working 60-hours a week are likely to burnout, so are moms putting in 24-hour-a-day shifts, 365-days-a-year. The demands of career, family, and personal aspirations mean mothers are constantly juggling the needs of others with their own. It’s not hard to imagine how exhausting it is to keep up this act.
Postpartum depression, anxiety, and the demanding nature of motherhood can create a mental health landscape that requires sensitive and comprehensive care. Women also take on the caretaker role and bear the weight of nurturing and supporting those around them. While this innate caregiving capacity is a testament to women’s strength, it also places significant demands on their mental and physical health.
NAVIGATING SOCIETAL PRESSURES
We live in a world dominated by airbrushed images and unrealistic social expectations, and it’s hard not to compare yourself to this picture-perfect alternate unreality sometimes. The societal demand for perfection can contribute to body image issues, stress, low-self work, negative self-talk, and mental health challenges.
The constant pressure to meet external expectations requires women to build resilience and practice self-awareness. Recognizing and addressing these societal pressures is important for creating a culture that supports women in their pursuit of health and well-being, free from unrealistic expectations.
SUFFERING IN SILENCE
Although the CDC reports women are 33 percent more likely than men to visit a doctor, there is still significant stigma surrounding mental health that gets in the way of women getting the help and support they need.
“The silent battles women face, often internalized due to societal norms, emphasize the need for open conversations, empathy, and comprehensive support systems,” said Catalina Villa, a psychiatrist at bonmente.
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH AWARENESS
Understanding the challenges of women is the first step to getting them the care they need, when they need it, without any apologies or judgments. Women deserve comprehensive, compassionate, and personalized mental health care that addresses the nuances of their lived experiences. Our compassionate team at bonmente allows you to prioritize your mental health from the comfort and safety of your home. and encourages you to give yourself the gift of some grace this time of year.
