While it is unclear whether women are more emotionally expressive than men, society continues to perceive women as emotional beings. Orthodox notions confide women’s opinions on being extremely sensitive. The irony is that communities and cultures worldwide try to disarm women’s ideas and beliefs yet shame them for not standing up for themselves. Like most myths and generalizations about women, this view is also harmful – it downplays women’s struggles and jeopardizes their emotional health.
Remember the image of the Goddess juggling many weapons in her hands while maintaining a serene smile? While it is a popular trope in advertising, it is far from the reality women face in their lives. It is well-known that most women handle the greater share of domestic chores while juggling their professional life. As we move to the end of a year of staying indoors, we observe that WFH hasn’t exactly been a boon for women.
Reportedly, the difficult balancing act of tending to household duties and the responsibilities of jobs is leaving women drained. Studies have shown that women even find it harder to defy social expectations and constraints and feel a more significant pressure to adhere to stereotypes and gender roles. The expectation of prioritizing others’ needs over their own – over time, can be detrimental to their mental and physical health. And neglecting one’s mental wellness might develop into bitterness, resentment, and a dysfunctional relationship between family members.
While both men and women have lost their jobs this year due to the lockdown, women face stark consequences of losing financial freedom – dependence on abusive partners, helplessness, and a greater risk of physical danger or psychological damage. And it is affecting women from all walks of life.
New Mothers
Being a mother brings tectonic changes in a woman’s life, especially for the women who experience it for the first time. For most new mothers, motherhood means a great deal of adaptation in a short time. While bringing a new life into the world is nothing less than a miracle, the unfamiliarity and newness of the situation might lead to feelings of anxiety in women. New mothers often go through postpartum depression (PPD) and are at a high risk of developing severe mental illnesses. It is not uncommon to disregard female mental health issues and often brush them off as just stress from having a new baby and nothing more. Post-delivery problems thus merit close consideration.
Additionally, women also struggle with self-esteem and body image issues post-pregnancy. The changes in physical appearance take a toll on mental well-being. Taking care of a newborn can be extremely challenging, and the struggle to get enough sleep can also affect the well-being of new mothers.
Working women
The working group of women has faced significant difficulty in their professional and private life in recent years. Unemployment and salary cuts this year have skyrocketed. And the rapid changes in the work culture switching from office to remote to hybrid, have brought a lot of uncertainty and distress to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Young women living away from their homes have reported rising loneliness and anxiety. At the same time, those living with families have witnessed more strain juggling work, household chores, and kids’ online lessons, all while living under a lockdown.
Home-makers
Society loves to undermine the struggles that stay-at-home women face, and often mothers are mistaken to be relaxed and less stressed. However, this idea is nothing more often than a gross misrepresentation of all the roles homemakers have to play. The daily effort to shuffle from one role to another is physically and mentally draining. From being a caretaker to a gardener, the list goes on. Somewhere along this chaos, succumbing to negative emotions affecting daily life quality is easy.
There is no harm in pampering yourself
You can’t pour from an empty cup, no matter how important it is to reach your goals. It is essential to make self-care a part of our everyday routine. And remember that taking care of the self is not selfish but a mark of being responsible. Whether it is curling up on the sofa with a good book or a movie marathon of your favorite flicks– find activities that relax you!
Learn to take a break now and then to break the monotony of a repetitive lifestyle. Little things make a big difference when it comes to uplifting your mood. Sometimes, doing something for yourself can be extremely rewarding. And pampering yourself doesn’t have to be an elaborate or expensive ordeal. It can be as simple as baking your favorite types of cookies or cooking your comfort meal. Warm baths are a great way to wash away the day’s worth of exhaustion. While some people prefer their own company to relax, for some, the perfect way to unwind is to socialize. Meeting friends and people with similar interests can be a great way to take your mind off all the hectic chores.
Mindfulness eating is another great way to show love to yourself. Paying attention to what you are eating and enjoying the process of preparing your meal can be highly therapeutic. Keep in mind to prioritize your needs and listen to your body. You are your own perfect companion for the longest run, so you must keep yourself pampered.
Be kind to yourself
Although it might sound really simple, you often forget to show the compassion to yourself that you abundantly offer to others. However, it would help if you learned to forgive yourself. It is essential for your mental well-being that you are kind to yourself. It’s ok to have a backlog from work, and it’s perfectly ok for your child to miss one dance lesson – it doesn’t make you incompetent or a failed mother. Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s the only way we learn to improve ourselves, so go easy on yourself and shun that critical inner voice. Focus on your achievements instead. Keep reminding yourself of your progress and celebrate your wins. However small they might be.
Societal conditioning has led women to believe that everything going wrong in their lives is due to their fault for the longest time. However, it is up to you to change this perspective. People learn from their mistakes, and it is impossible to forward without venturing on unknown paths in life. So, remember to keep your head high and your soul warm. Learn to be kind to yourself. And allow yourself to feel every emotion without any judgment.
Avoid seeking approval from others
It is human nature to want to be appreciated. But waiting for others’ approval is a direct road to unhappiness. Be your champion and pat yourself on your back for finishing the work you’ve set out for yourself. And even if your efforts might go unnoticed, it doesn’t change the fact that you took action to complete something.
When you seek external validation, you tend to disregard your efforts and progress if you don’t receive the desired feedback. Don’t let anyone’s opinion rule your worth. You must learn to recognize and acknowledge your hard work. When you start giving yourself the love and support you seek from others, you liberate yourself from the shackles of facing any judgment.
Take one step at a time
There’s a saying that good things come to those who are patient. However, getting caught up in the suspense of what will happen next is easy. Living in anticipation of things to come, whether good or bad, often robs the experience of the present day and contributes to our misery. Practice mindfulness, stay in the moment, and take it one day at a time and not too far ahead if times get rough. It allows you to focus on the present moment and relax your racing mind. You can even incorporate mindfulness into your daily activities. Just focus on the task you are performing and observe how your mind and body are in perfect sync while you do that.
Earthing
Spending time in nature has proven benefits. Go for a walk, spend time barefoot on grass, brush your hands on tree bark, smell the flowers in a garden, or just observe the eagle soaring in the distance. Getting in touch with nature can cure many unexplained pains. The best grounding technique is literally to get closer to the ground. When you find yourself in a situation where your thoughts get too loud, find solace in mother nature. She will always welcome you with open arms. We often take the earth for granted. Take some time out of your hectic schedule to show gratitude to the planet you live on. Participating in activities like gardening or volunteering for your local beach cleanup can be a great way to reward yourself and nature.
Learn something new
A rolling stone gathers no moss; the best way to roll is to learn something new daily. It could be learning a language, cooking, or playing an instrument. There is a wealth of knowledge online today, and learning a new skill might be easier and more economical than you thought. The plethora of learning apps and online courses are at your fingertips. Please take advantage of it, and indulge in the desirable activities you always wished to learn.
To sum it up:
When the going gets tough, it is customary to slip into a state where the future feels grim. But there are many helpful ideas to pull ourselves out of a stupor and maintain a healthy mental state. Get in touch with one of the experts on our platform for a helping hand today!