- Interrupted sleep patterns are a common obstacle for women.
- Stress management is essential for self-care and can be done through various solutions.
- Friendships play an important role in mental well-being, thus absent social lives can be a hurdle in self-care.
- Taking care of yourself is an essential part of life, even though challenges may arise in doing so.
Self-care is an integral part of any woman’s life. It helps keep physical and mental health in check and gives the strength and confidence to tackle challenges that come. Unfortunately, due to various factors, many women face numerous hurdles when it comes to self-care. Here’s a look at some common challenges women face when it comes to self-care, as well as ways to overcome them.
Interrupted Sleep Pattern
One of the primary obstacles in self-care that many women face is interrupted sleep patterns. Women often have difficulty getting adequate restful sleep due to anxiety, medical condition, or simply having too much on their plate. It’s important to recognize this obstacle and find ways to address it properly.
Anterior Repositioning Splint
The first step towards overcoming an interrupted sleep pattern is finding a way to relax and fall asleep quickly — one of the best solutions is using an anterior repositioning splint.
This is a specifically-designed device that holds your jaw in a forward position while you sleep, allowing for more airflow through your airways and relieving pressure from the soft tissue inside your mouth cavity — resulting in better sleep.
Anterior positioning splints are relatively affordable yet highly effective sleeping aids that are perfect for those seeking relief from snoring or those struggling with blocked nasal passages at night. It is also commonly used by those with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) or sleep apnea.
Sleeping Aid
Medication can also provide a solution for those struggling with insomnia. Common sleeping aids can help regulate your sleep cycle and improve the quality of rest you get each night.
However, medications should always be taken in consultation with a doctor — to ensure they don’t interfere with any existing medical conditions or prescribed treatment. Taking sleeping aids to fall asleep can also be detrimental over the long term, as it can lead to addiction and other health problems.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can be a great solution for a more natural approach to improved sleep. Certain essential oils have been used for centuries to promote relaxation and are known to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy due to its calming and soothing properties. It can be used in various forms, such as diffusing, adding a few drops to your bathwater or pillow, or even simply inhaling the scent directly from the bottle.
Managing Stress Levels
Another frequent issue many women face when it comes to self-care is managing stress levels — whether it’s work stress, family stress, or something else altogether.
Learning how to manage your stress levels effectively is essential to get the most out of your day-to-day life without letting unnecessary worries take over your life. There are numerous methods available to help us manage stress, and here are some of them:
Journaling and Self Reflection
Journaling has been known as a powerful tool for self-reflection and improving mental health. It’s no secret that being able to write down thoughts and feelings can significantly help improve moods, and it can also be used as a form of self-care if done correctly.
A daily journal practice will help you become more aware of your emotions and give you time every day to think about what matters most to you. This allows you to make tangible progress on issues you may be struggling with personally or professionally.
Regular Exercise
Exercise can not only keep the body healthy, but it can also help manage stress levels. Regular exercise releases endorphins — hormones that reduce stress and help create a feeling of happiness.
It doesn’t necessarily need to be strenuous exercise — even simple activities such as walking or yoga can be great for releasing stress and keeping you physically active.
Absent Social Life
Sometimes, due to various reasons, women may find it hard to maintain social life and friendships. This can be a significant obstacle for self-care, as a solid social network is vital for mental well-being.
To overcome this hurdle, investing time and effort into meeting new people, attending events and activities that capture your interest, or even joining online communities is essential. This way, you can slowly build a network of close friends and acquaintances that provide the necessary support when you need it.
There are various obstacles faced by women when attempting to take care of themselves, and although not always easy, actively tackling these issues head-on can help improve their overall well-being.
