As women, we often juggle the weight of countless social expectations alongside our monthly hormonal changes, not to mention our busy school or work obligations as well. With how hectic life can get, checking in on ourselves can be the last thing on our minds.
So what better way to celebrate yourself this International Women’s Day than with an all-rounded self-care routine?
Here are five simple changes we can make for happier and healthier lives.
Give Your Confidence a Daily Boost by Practising Affirmations
A study done by KPMG discovered that at least 75% of female professionals have experienced “imposter syndrome” in their careers. Imposter syndrome is better defined as feelings of self-denial, insecurity and self-doubt which can hinder workplace performance drastically.
How do we ward against self-sabotaging mindsets like these? One simple habit to incorporate in your daily routine is to practice saying affirmations to yourself in the mirror every morning.
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Tip: If you find it difficult to do this, start small and craft a one-liner specific to your goals, then rinse and repeat this every morning.
Some of our favourites are:
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I trust that I have the ability to achieve my goals.
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I am becoming a better version of myself one day at a time.
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I attract the best people who believe in me.
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I love myself unconditionally.
Eat Right to Fuel Your Body
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As work gets hectic, you might be tempted to miss meals or have them at irregular hours – like that desktop takeaway lunch at 4 p.m.
However, bad eating habits like these throw your body’s circadian rhythm into a frenzy and disrupts its natural processes for weight management and blood glucose regulation. In the long-term, this may eventually lead to fluctuations in your weight and the development of chronic conditions.
Always keep your kitchen stocked with simple breakfast foods that you can eat on-the-go (like muesli bars or fruits such as bananas) and make it a priority to schedule lunch and dinner into your Google calendar, no matter how busy your day gets. Small actions like this will do wonders for your digestive system, and you’ll find that your mood and energy levels will improve too.
Take Charge of Your Monthly Cycle
Irregular menstrual cycles are not fun. Add in the hormonal acne which somehow flares up on the worst occasions possible, and suddenly that time of the month turns into a nightmare.
Whether or not you’re someone who struggles with infrequent periods, hormonal contraceptives can help you to better manage that time of the month. Contraceptive pills regulate your periods, reduce the severity of menstrual cramps and help control hormonal acne breakouts (amongst many other benefits). Having one less thing to worry about every month is always a benefit.
Make Time for Beauty Sleep
Beauty sleep is a real thing. Studies have shown that women who have sufficient hours of quality sleep tend to be more energetic and have more youthful complexions. Sleep has a myriad of benefits – physically, mentally and emotionally. While you’re sleeping, your body is repairing itself. Conversely, those who suffer from sleep deprivation are more prone to debilitating conditions like depression and anxiety disorders. So get your eight hours of sleep guilt-free – better sleep equals a better you.
For optimal sleep, minimise the use of mobile devices an hour before bedtime, and take the time to wind down with a good book instead.
Schedule in Annual Health Check-Ups
There’s truth to the saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ – it’s much easier and cheaper to invest in regular health examinations and adopt suitable lifestyle changes, than having to live with and manage a chronic health condition. A general rule of thumb for health checkups is to do them yearly. Here are the most common types of health screenings we would recommend, specific for ladies:
- Cervical cancer screening: 25 – 29 years old (pap smear test), 30 years and older (HPV test)
- Breast cancer screening: 50 years and older (mammograms)
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We hope you make time to shower extra care upon yourself this International Women’s Day.
This article was first published on Doctor Anywhere and republished on theAsianparent with permission.