Gwendolyn Shotwell, a prominent advocate for women’s health, sheds light on the significance of prioritizing mental well-being in the realm of women’s wellness. With a deep understanding of the nuanced challenges women face, her insights provide invaluable guidance on how to foster mental resilience and create a foundation for a fulfilling, balanced life. In the following article, Gwendolyn Shotwell of Colorado uncovers the transformative power of placing mental health at the forefront of women’s wellness.
In today’s wellness-focused landscape, there’s an abundance of offerings, from enriching skincare webinars to invigorating live workouts on Instagram. These resources aim to empower women on their journey towards self-improvement and well-being.
However, it’s essential to approach this path with self-compassion and understanding. While the promise of radiant health and happiness is alluring, it’s crucial to recognize that true fulfillment often goes beyond external products or trends. Prioritizing mental health is a vital step towards achieving a sense of holistic well-being, embracing our unique journeys, and finding contentment from within.
Gwendolyn Shotwell of Colorado says that while recent times have seen the industry buy into mindfulness practices and other subscription-based models for women to enhance their mental well-being, managing stress, anxiety, and forging mental resilience can be done without spending a cent.
Gwendolyn Shotwell Explains Why Women Need to Prioritize Their Mental Health
Women are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. A facts and statistics sheet published by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America noted women are also twice as likely as men to develop panic disorder, general anxiety disorder (GAD), and particular phobias. A Moreover, women are also twice as likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder than their male counterparts.
This alone says it all.
Women are particularly vulnerable to specific mental illnesses due to the complex combination of risk factors stemming from psychology, biology, and tensions between self-identities and sociocultural roles. Gwendolyn Shotwell of Colorado explains that it’s for these ever-complicated reasons females must start putting their mental health in the foreground for overall well-being.
Self-Care Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Approach
In the vast world of wellness, it’s easy for women to be led to believe that self-care comes neatly packaged on the shelves of upscale department stores. However, it’s important to remember that self-care is a deeply personal journey, and it can take many different forms for different people. Its foundation rests in the practice of a person deliberately doing things to take care of their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, but how the activity manifests are up to the individual.
Gwendolyn Shotwell of Colorado explains that through investing time in unwinding, achieving a higher sleep quality, practicing conscious living, learning to say no, setting healthy boundaries, and making health a priority, women can better support their mental health, allowing them to find satisfaction and achieve their potential in all aspects of their lives.
Managing Stress and Fortifying Mental Resilience: Strategies for Women
Bringing self-care into stress management and mental resilience fortification is essential for total health. And despite being a deeply personal practice, experts from across the internet mention various tried-and-true techniques for women to cope with their ever-changing roles on life’s rollercoaster:
Developing a Strong Support Network
Gwendolyn Shotwell of Colorado notes that having a strong support network of friends, relatives, and trusted colleagues is a must-have for women aiming to improve their stress management and emotional resilience. The simple act of picking up the phone or arranging to meet up for a coffee can be enough to rejuvenate the spirit and reduce growing anxiety. It also allows the opportunity to chat about what is going on in life, allowing for a meaningful exchange of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This connection provides a sense of understanding and support, reminding us that we’re not alone in our journey. It fosters a deeper sense of belonging and strengthens relationships, ultimately contributing to our overall well-being and mental health.
Learning to Manage Strong Feelings
During adversity, it’s easy to let negative thoughts and less-than-pleasant feelings of stress, anger, helplessness, frustration, and uncertainty take over. Yet, Gwendolyn Shotwell says that remaining level-headed is the ticket to resilience.
Counting to ten and taking a few deep breaths before reacting to a situation provides the space necessary to make calm, rational decisions.
Relinquishing Technology
Technology is great for so many things. But Gwendolyn Shotwell notes that constantly checking emails and social media has been linked to increased stress levels. The evenings and weekends should be device-free time. Just putting the phone down unwinds the mind, boosting quality of life.
Women Need to Put Themselves First
Gwendolyn Shotwell emphasizes that in today’s dynamic society, women often find themselves juggling multiple roles and responsibilities in various aspects of their lives. However, it’s crucial for them to prioritize their mental well-being and not succumb to fleeting trends or societal pressures. Taking care of their mental health should be a top priority, allowing them to thrive in a balanced and sustainable way.
