The Top Mental Health Self-Care Tips For A Better Life

There are plenty of stress relief activities surrounding our lives currently, which might not work out if you do not take care of yourself. Meditation will not help you out if you do not get adequate sleep. In fact, if you are meditating, you could doze off since you are not fulfilling your body’s need to sleep.    Similarly, if you are hitting the gym a few times, it might not relieve as much stress as if you were exercising regularly. It is important to fuel your body, not just with food and nutrition but also with self-care! Our basics are what we should be focusing on first and make our lives stress-free.    This article will talk about some mental health self-care tips and their significance in our lives. It will also talk about the things you can implement in your lives to take care of yourself.    Self-care is not just about finding ways to lay back and relax. It is more about taking care of your body, mind, and soul on all levels. It is about taking care of yourself on a mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual level. It is important to find the right balance and restore it if you’ve lost it. You have to find some form of relief from all kinds of triggers and stressors in your life.    What is Self-care?     Self-care is a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional process that purposefully engages in various strategies to promote a healthy, well-functioning, and enhanced lifestyle and well-being. The term essentially describes a conscious act of a person to promote their own mental, emotional as well as physical well-being. There are different forms of self-care one can indulge in. It can be as simple as ensuring 8 hours of sleep every night or getting out for a few minutes to get some fresh air.    Self-care is essential to build resilience toward different stressors in your life that you cannot eliminate entirely. When you have taken steps to care for your mind, body, and soul, you are equipped to live your life at your best!    However, most people view self-care as a luxury instead of making it a priority. As a result, they are left feeling tired and overwhelmed. They feel they are ill-equipped to handle all of the inevitable challenges life throws at them. It is extremely important to assess how you care for yourself and your well-being in different domains. This helps ensure you are actually caring better for your mind, body, and spirit.    Self-Care - Significance  An effective self-care routine displays multiple important health benefits. Some of the benefits include:   1. Reducing mental health disorders like anxiety and depression  2. Reducing stress 3. Improving resilience  4. Improving happiness 5. Enhancing energy  6. Reducing mental and physical burnout 7. Improving interpersonal relationships   As per the World Health Organization, self-care is significant to improve health, prevent diseases, and help you cope better with any illness. Different forms of self-care are linked to different kinds of health and wellness programs, including a longer, more fulfilling life. Exercise can help you find a sense of purpose in life. Sleep is, in fact, connected to an enhanced and healthy lifespan.    Mental Health Self-Care Tips      Developing a self-care plan    Our mental health self-care tips will start with developing a fully dedicated and effective self-care plan, which is tailored according to your life and needs. It should not be dictated to you, nor should it be blindly copied or followed. You should be crafting it on your own, customizing it as per your needs and self-care plans.    A fully-customized self-care plan is going to help you take preventive measures to ensure that you are not getting overstressed or overwhelmed. All of this helps you not feel burnt out in the end.    Assess the right areas of your life that need some more self-care and personal attention. Reassess your life quite often; this helps develop the right plans. As your situation changes, your self-care plans are going to change too. As you build your self-care plan, you should be taking the following steps. These steps can definitely prove to be helpful:   1. Assessing your needs  Make a small list of things in your life and the different activities that you are engaging in daily in your life. This list must include different parts of your life, along with all kinds of activities that you are engaging in every day. This includes your work, school/college, personal relationships, family, other commitments, and hobbies.    2. Assess your triggers and stressors  One of the best mental health self-care tips is that you need to start considering all your stress points. Think about various aspects of your life and consider ways in which you can address all the stressors in the right manner.    3. Devise the right strategies  Think about all the activities you can indulge in that make you feel better in various areas of your life. Spend some time thinking about the people in your life, your friends, family, and other loved ones. If doing something or spending time with a certain someone is causing you stress and trouble, stop doing that. Develop some boundaries in your life. This is a great way to build a healthy connection with others around you.    4. Plan ahead  Plan ahead for all kinds of challenges in life. When you discover you are neglecting some parts of your life, you should devise the right plans for changing and negating those challenges.    5. One step at a time  Baby steps! Take small steps. You do not have to get it done all at once. Identify all the small steps you are taking to better care for yourself.    6. Start focusing on your needs Even when you do not feel like you have to, you should really squeeze self-care into your routine. Making self-care a priority is an essential step to taking care of yourself. Taking care of different aspects of yourself helps you operate in a more effective and efficient way.    Mental Health Self-Care Tips The way you think about yourself and the things that fill your life and your mind, the better you can influence your emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being.    Mental self-care can include doing various things that will keep your mind working sharp daily. Therefore, indulging in puzzles or learning something new that will fascinate you is the way to go about it too. You could also find a book to read daily or watch an inspirational movie or documentary to fuel your mind.    Mental health self-care tips also include various things to help you stay healthy overall. This will also include self-compassion and acceptance, which will help you maintain a better introspective dialogue for yourself. Here are a few obvious questions that one should consider when thinking about mental health self-care tips. These definitely should be a part of your mental self-care:   - Are you proactive in doing things that help you stay healthy mentally?  - Are you taking out enough time in your life to do activities that are going to stimulate you mentally?   Ask yourself these questions daily. Stay away from stressors. Take care of yourself. Follow the WomenWire blog for more such tips!

It's Time To Break The Bias On International Women's Day

International Women’s Day offers us all an opportunity to reinforce a notion, one that states that each of us has an individual role to play. We have a role to play when it comes to forging a gender-balanced world. International Women’s Day calls for gender equality and parity and celebrates the achievements of women across the globe!    This global celebration is spread across the social, cultural, economic, and political achievements of women worldwide. The day marks a call to action to accelerate gender parity. On March 8th, the world witnesses significant activity globally, in groups, as people come together to celebrate the achievements of all beautiful women around us.    International Women’s Day is honored and celebrated as a significant event every single year, with an aim to:   1. Celebrate the achievements of women  2. Raise awareness in context to gender equality  3. Lobby to accelerate gender parity 4. Organize fundraisers on female-focused charities   Be A Part Of This Movement      #BreakTheBias is the theme for International Women’s Day 2022!    Become a part of this incredible movement and imagine a gender-equal world. Imagine a world that is rid of all kinds of bias, discrimination, and stereotypes. Imagine a world where all sorts of differences are actually celebrated and valued.    All of us coming together to be a part of this movement can forge an equal world for everyone. Together we can break the bias! No single NGO, Government, corporation, charity, media hub, women’s network, or any academic institution is solely responsible for celebrating and organizing the day's events. This day belongs to each of us, in a group, collectively!    How Can You Get Involved?    Yes, we can come together and break all biases. But, how can we do it on an individual level? We can all start by breaking these biases in our community, in our workplaces, in our universities, colleges, schools, and in our neighborhoods!    If we come together, individually, with our own set of thoughts and actions, we can break the bias this International Women’s Day and beyond!    So, the next time you come across any form of gender bias, stereotyping, or discrimination, come forward and break the prejudice. Whether unintentional or deliberate, it will make it difficult for women to move ahead in their lives. Every time you see it, take action to level the playing field—help #BreakTheBias.    Wear These Colors   Sport these colors on March 8th this year. You can even sport them beyond the day! The colors purple, green, and white are significant in celebrating International Women’s Day. Purple is symbolic of dignity and justice. Green is symbolic of hope, and white is purity. These colors originated back in 1908 from the Women’s Social and Political Union in the United Kingdom.    Why do we still require International Women’s Day?    We still do require International Women’s Day. There is absolutely no space in our world for complacency. As per the World Economic Forum, most of us, in our lifetime, will not be able to witness gender parity happening! As per the same data, it is highly unlikely that our children will also notice gender parity in the future years to come.    Gender parity will probably take more than a century to be attained! So, there’s a lot we still need to do. We all must come forward to play a part.    Some Empowerment Quotes To Inspire Women Globally    A gender-equal world requires women who are ready to take control of their lives, are prepared to make their own decisions, and succeed in the pursuits of their choice.    WomenWire presents to you some of the most empowering quotes to inspire you this year, so you can #BreakTheBias too. These quotes are from innovators, activists, leaders, and idols who have managed to follow their pursuits and make a considerable difference in our society.    "There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind." - Virginia Woolf.   "Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness." - Oprah Winfrey.   "I say if I'm beautiful. I say if I'm strong. You will not determine my story — I will." - Amy Schumer.   "We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead." - Beyoncé.   “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” - Coco Chanel.   "There's something so special about a woman who dominates in a man's world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer." - Rihanna   "There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." - Michelle Obama.   "We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored." - Sheryl Sandberg.   "Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul." - Coretta Scott King.   "I think women are scared of feeling powerful and strong and brave sometimes. There’s nothing wrong with being afraid. It’s not the absence of fear, it’s overcoming it, and sometimes you just have to blast through and have faith." - Emma Watson.   "I raise up my voice – not so I can shout, but so those without a voice can be heard… we cannot succeed when half of us are held back." - Malala Yousafzai.   "If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito." - Anita Roddick.   "Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong." - Ella Fitzgerald.   Let’s empower women further!  This International Women’s Day, let’s empower women all across the world. Empowering women to break all kinds of biases and barriers offers them a sense of self-worth. It provides them the ability to determine their own choices and follow their pursuits. It gives them the power to influence change.    Are you empowering yourself or the women in your life?   

Healthy Lifestyle Habits & Hacks For Your Menstrual Cycle

Let’s talk about something important, women! Our menstrual health!    There is so much going on around us today. Just look outside your window, and you will see chaos unraveling right ahead of you. Climate change, birds are popping out of the sky, invasions, wars, trauma! There is so much going on. But are you okay?    For centuries, women have been bearing the brunt of all the injustices in the system. Women, we are supposed to look out for the actions of society. It is us who are supposed to right all the wrongs.    Who takes care of you? Who takes care of your cycle, lifestyle, and your health? Your health is in your hands!    It is essential to take care of your health because apparently, our men can’t do anything here. It is time to take charge! Here are some essential healthy lifestyle habits and hacks for your menstrual cycle that you must start following immediately!    Let’s dive right in!    Healthy Lifestyle Habits & Hacks For Your Menstrual Cycle     1. Track Your Cycle   One of the best things you can do is track your menstrual cycle every month through a mobile app. This will help you become familiar with your cycle and all of the phases that happen to your body during the entire duration.    This gives all women an understanding of the points in our cycle. We all feel different or experience different changes. It is advantageous to keep track of your average menstrual cycle length, the type of flow you experience, any related symptoms you experience during the duration, especially around your ovulation period, etc.    You will get to know yourself, all the pain, mood changes, acne breakouts, PMS, everything will be right in your hands so you can schedule your life better along with managing a healthy lifestyle.    Some of the best period tracking applications you can start using right away are Flo, Clue, etc.    2. Use Natural Menstrual Products    The second crucial healthy lifestyle hack you can undertake is to use natural, eco-friendly menstrual products.    Your vagina is one of the most sensitive regions in your entire body. It absorbs so much we can’t even think about it. So, naturally, you want to be extremely careful with your most sensitive body part.    Everything or anything you put inside or near it should be natural and eco-friendly. So, all of your traditional menstrual pads, tampons, liners, etc., should not contain things like dioxins that directly result from bleaching. Dioxins are incredibly harmful to your reproductive system, as well as your endocrine system. So, when you are absorbing things like dioxins, along with all the added fragrances and pesticides from synthetic cotton used in your conventional period products makes it dangerous to go near your vagina.    These non-eco-friendly products might also include traces of plastic and are wholly non-biodegradable and dangerous for your health and the environment. Instead, you can opt for using reusable silicone menstrual cups or any biodegradable brand selling menstrual pads, tampons, and liners.    Some of the best companies selling natural, fully-organic, and eco-friendly menstrual care products include Natural care. The products are 100% certified organic, and the raw materials are sourced sustainably. The material used in such eco-friendly products is organic, plant-based, without any added fragrances, chlorine for bleaching the cotton, or any actually harmful traces of plastic.    3. Don’t be a couch potato   Yes, these past two years have been really cruel to us all, especially those of us working from home. But it is essential not to get lost in our couches! We are not cushions. It is important to start moving your body around a little. Let’s face it, a sedentary lifestyle has never helped anyone.    8-9 long hours of sitting on your desk and then crashing right on your bed or couch for a few more hours of Netflix session is only going to make things worse for you. Lack of physical activity will probably lead to a hormonal imbalance, directly impacting your menstrual cycle.    There is only one way out of this - You have to really get going. You need to get off that couch and start exercising. As per the Journal of Education and Health Promotion, regular exercise is the key to preventing obesity, keeping your hormones in check, and leading a healthy lifestyle overall.    Hit that dance class, aerobics sessions, or those yoga/pilates classes you’ve always admired on-screen. Get at least 30-40 minutes of workout in your schedule. It is vital for your vaginal and menstrual health.    4. Wear breathable underpants    Another tremendous healthy lifestyle habit to inculcate this year is to wear breathable underpants. You should be wearing something that does not hold onto moisture or prevent proper airflow. Nylon and lycra-based fabrics generally do that. This contributes significantly to developing more irritation and infections in the long run and can even affect your menstrual cycle.    This grows to become an even worse problem when you are already suffering from a yeast infection. Cotton is the way to go! The fabric is soft and light enough to promote a healthy airflow, keep things breathable down there and ensure your vagina is healthy and happy.    5. Rely on the power of Superfoods    Did you know ginger can actually help reduce your blood loss during the heaviest flow in your menstrual cycle? Ginger is such an incredible superfood that helps us check our menstrual cycles. But, it is not alone. There are many more superfoods. Adding cinnamon to your diet, especially your regular yogurt or your cup of green tea, can also help beat your irregular menstrual cycle. So, if you are suffering from one, do try it out!    In fact, as per a 2013 study, drinking just 15 ml of diluted apple cider vinegar in a glass of water every day can also help restore your menstrual cycle back to normal. So, if you have not had your regular period for a long time, try this healthy lifestyle hack out too!    What is even more surprising is that pineapples effectively battle all signs of PMS and can easily regulate your menstrual cycle. Pineapples can easily do it because of the presence of enzymes like bromelain present in them. This helps bring hormones under control.    There you go! These were some fantastic healthy lifestyle habits and hacks for your menstrual and vaginal health. Start following these habits and hacks to see incredible results. And remember, take charge of your health, because no one else will!  

10 Healthy Lifestyle Choices All Women Should Make By Age 30

Once you start following healthy life choices, you are more likely to hold on to them during your entire lifetime. Considering this, here are a few healthy lifestyle choices all women must make by the time they reach the age of 30.    1. Find Your Ideal Workout Routine      The first healthy lifestyle choice you can make this year is to find your ideal workout routine, the one that you actually enjoy. Exercising regularly can help elevate your mood, help you with a better sleep cycle, help maintain your body weight, and so much more. Find your workout routine, the one that you actually like and enjoy doing. If you don't like it, you are less likely to do it.    2. Stay Hydrated    Drink lots and lots of water. It helps you lose weight, improves your metabolism, and your mood. It's a pretty straightforward healthy lifestyle choice! Start drinking water.    3. Quit Smoking (Or never start!)    Okay, seriously, stop smoking if you do! And if you don't, don't ever think of touching that thing. Smoking can increase your odds of getting lung cancer and can hurt your brain too. As per a research publication from 2012, smoking can decrease your overall lifespan by ten years. Not only this, it is just plain awful to smoke. Your body is meant for better things. It is not a gas chamber! Quit it already!    4. Stand Often      According to research, the more time you spend sitting in your chairs or couches, the higher your risk of developing and suffering from obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases. It is important to start getting serious about the dangers of "sitting diseases." Start standing and walking around your house every now and then. Not adding movement to your life on a daily basis holds serious and ugly implications for your future.    5. Drink But In Moderation!    It's completely fine to blow off some steam every once in a while. Birthdays, post-breakups, happy hours, holidays, you shouldn't be really concerned about getting a drink or two every once in a while. But exceeding your limit can be bad! It can lead to multiple health issues, major and minor. Plus, it can make your skin blotchy and make you feel low on energy daily. Strokes and cancers are just some major side effects of excessive drinking.    6. Get Your Health Insured    God forbid if you are walking across a busy crosswalk in a metropolitan like New York while catching a taxi for yourself and you get into an accident? Do you have coverage? What if you develop a disease? You will appreciate having coverage later in life. Start now! Not having access to health insurance kills over a thousand people annually. Don't be a part of those statistics.    7. Love Yourself!      Don't run after "an ideal body weight." You will not love yourself after you change yourself. It makes sense. How can you just fall in love with yourself after so much change? It makes sense, right? Fall in love with your body despite your weight. Speaking with truth, your body does so much for you, more than you think. Even when you are not really thrilled about any aspect of your body, learn to appreciate your body. You will be much happier and healthier in the long run.    8. Meet Your Friends Regularly    It is important to have friends and to meet them regularly. Schedule friendly dates on a regular basis. Not only will it help de-stress you, which is, of course, a major factor as far as your mental and heart health are concerned, but it will also help you burn calories. Think we are lying? Well, studies suggest your body burns more calories when it feels happy with the people around you in your life. So, even when your schedules are tight and calendars are crazy-busy, do take out some time to catch up with your girl gang! Your heart and your body will thank you!    9. Eat-In Sometimes    One of the most important healthy lifestyle choices you can undertake this year is to learn how to cook for yourself. Eat a few healthy dishes every now and then. Research suggests that if you enjoy the food that you consume, it is going to be a lot easier to follow your healthy eating plans, whether you are aiming for weight loss or just aiming to be fit and well. Get your ladles and start cooking!    10. Start Having More (Safe) Sex!     We do not have to do much convincing here. You should be getting an orgasm or two regularly. Don't refrain from making sex more interesting for yourself. Find some common grounds, find better positions that work for you, invest in some good toys, do whatever you can, but have more sex!    And yes, while getting busy under the sheets is a great idea, you need to ensure you are doing everything in a safe way. You have to be safer, not only in terms of pregnancy but also STDs. STDs can easily compromise fertility levels and cause detrimental effects on your health. So, yes, do start having a lot of sex to stay healthy, physically and mentally, but have sex with some form of protection. You can talk to your partner to incorporate pleasure-optimizing condoms if you want.    Final Words Coming straight from a woman, for a woman reading this! There is absolutely nobody who loves you more than you love yourself. You have to take care of yourself. It might seem like a fantasy right now with the guy you are dating, but you are eventually going to be responsible for your own self! Start implementing these ten healthy lifestyle choices before you turn 30. It is time you started worshiping yourself. Make a difference this year with your health and well-being. Take charge of your life and be mindful of yourself. Even the smallest of changes can make a big difference in your life in the long run!   

Choose Your Dating Partner According To Your Zodiac Sign

When it comes to dating, it can be a tricky domain. Choosing your date itself is a burden because you are relying on a bunch of qualities listed by your prospective date on a website. There are 50-50 chances that you will find the person with the qualities which you prefer. Since you are taking a chance, leave no stone unturned to find out if you are selecting the most compatible one. Astrology plays an important role when you want to increase your chances. Of course, it for fun that you select someone on the basis of astrology or zodiac sign and you should only take a step forward when you find someone compatible. Scroll down for best matches for dating according to your zodiac sign.   1. Taurus   Taurus people are considered to be very practical, loyal, dependable, sensual and down to earth. It’s rare for Taurus to be disloyal. As per the astrology, Taurus is believed to gel with Virgo and Capricorn because they are also practical & down to Earth. Taurus also goes well with people having zodiac sign as Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio because these signs represent water and the combination of Earth (Taurus) and water can be mold into a solid structure.     2. Aries   Aries is often described as “me” oriented. Aries likes to be the in-charge of things and they gel with those people take situations lightly. Aries are like fire who do not want their thunder to be stolen and are the one who makes the decision in long run. Aries would gel with Leo and Sagittarius because they are light-headed people who are more interested in fun rather than making the decisions. Aries would also be compatible with Libra and Gemini because these are air signs and it is believed that air & fire (Aries) stimulate each other.   3. Gemini   Gemini’s are the curious people who are known for dating more than one person at a time because they get bored if they are not stimulated on an intellectual level. They need someone whom they can talk at any point of time and in any regard. Gemini would be compatible with Libra and Aquarius. Gemini would also gel easily with Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries because these are fire signs and fire & air stimulate each other (food for Gemini).   4. Cancer   For Cancer, the family is foremost and they match up only with those who are home-oriented and wants to have children or family. They are emotional people and they avoid any negative elements in their lives. According to astrology, Cancer would be compatible with Virgo, Taurus & Capricorn as these are the Earth signs (sign of stability).   5. Leo   Leo’s are relationship oriented people who are extremely romantic. Chances of dating Leo with Leo are higher because of the level of romance and vanity. Leo would also gel with Libra because Libra people are also socially oriented and love giving attention to others (food for Leo).   6. Virgo   It is assumed that Virgo’s are selective and can remain single happily for whole life. They want their freedom and do not want to settle at any cost. Virgo usually matches with Taurus and Capricorn (Earth signs) because they are considered to be more planned & non-spontaneous.   7. Libra   Libra is known to be great conversationalists and they are stimulated with people who are intellectually sound. Libra would gel with Gemini and Aquarius because they are good at having conversations. Libra is also revived by Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries (fire signs).   8. Scorpio   Scorpio is exceptionally compatible with another Scorpio because they love sex. They are intuitive and highly energetic beings. Water signs such as Pisces and Cancer would be a good match for Scorpio because of the calm and intimate nature.     9. Sagittarius     For Sagittarius, life is all about travel to different places and explore the world. They are adventurous & spontaneous and they love to be someone who can keep up with them. If you are a Sagittarius and are considering dating according to your zodiac sign, another Sagittarius or Gemini will be a good option.   10. Capricorn   Capricorn is hardworking and responsible people who are very cautious when it comes to dating. They are attracted to hardworking people and hate irresponsible ones. Capricorn is often a good match for Virgo and Taurus (Earth sign) because they are also very grounded when it comes to life.   11. Aquarius   Aquarius are individualistic and are difficult to tie down. They love their freedom and hate being settled for anything. They crave for the company of people with intellect and smartness. Aquarius would be compatible with Gemini, Libra and fire signs (Aries, Leo) because of the stimulating nature of fire signs.   12. Pisces   Pisces are sensitive and compassionate people who love to be in a relationship. They are selfless and supportive of the demands of their partner. Pisces would gel with Cancer and Scorpio (water signs) because of the similar nature. Pisces also match well with Virgo because Virgo can bring back Pisces to earth (reality) if they flow in emotions.   Wrapping up: Above astrological compatibility is good if you are looking for someone and are clueless whom to select from the list of dating profiles. Dating according to your zodiac sign can be a good start but do not depend heavily on these compatibilities. It’s always best to trust your instincts.