The Importance of Self-Care in Women’s Health: How Healthcare Providers Can Help

Women are the backbone of the household — serving as the COOs, CFOs, and CEOs of family life. 

• 59% of partnered mothers report doing more household chores than their spouse or partner, compared to just 6% of partnered fathers.¹

• 80% of mothers say they are primarily responsible for managing their children’s schedules and activities.²

• Women spend more than twice as much time on unpaid household and caregiving work as men.³

Yet despite being at the heart of both home and economy, women are 35% more likely than men to delay or forgo needed healthcare.⁴ To make matters worse, 43% of women leaders report feeling burned out, compared to 31% of their male counterparts.⁵

What do women want? Connection, trust, empowerment, and support. With pharmacists consistently ranked as the most trusted healthcare providers, they are uniquely positioned at a pivotal moment to help break down these barriers and deliver the care and encouragement women need. 

Understanding Self-Care and Elevating Women's Health

Self-care has become a popular buzzword in recent years — but for many women, it’s much more than a trend. It’s a necessary, and often overlooked, part of maintaining long-term health. 

The impact of neglecting personal well-being can be far-reaching. Chronic stress has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, anxiety, depression, and immune dysfunction — all of which are preventable or manageable with early intervention and attention to wellness.⁶ 

As awareness around women’s health continues to grow — especially through initiatives like Women’s Health Month — we must recognize that self-care is not a luxury; it’s an essential part of healthcare. Every woman deserves the opportunity to prioritize her own well-being, no matter her role or responsibilities. 

Here are a few things you could do to elevate the conversation:  

• Encourage your patients to proactively schedule appropriate screenings and recommended check-ups. More info here. 

• Talk to patients about setting boundaries, taking breaks, saying no when needed, and unplugging outside of work hours to prevent burnout. 

• Recommend ways for your patients to find small, consistent ways to stay physically active, nourished, and rested. Help them look for ways to incorporate mindful movement and nourishment into their daily routine. 

• Educate patients on making space for mental and emotional check-ins, utilizing stress management techniques and other outlets like journaling or therapy. 
  

Whether you’re supporting patients, colleagues, or yourself, make it a point to encourage and practice regular self-care. Let’s lift up the women in our lives — their health and happiness matter. Want to learn more about how Outcomes helps you engage with female patients? Click below!

1 https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/01/25/for-american-couples-gender-gaps-in-sharing-household-responsibilities-persist-amid-pandemic/

2 https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2015/11/04/raising-kids-and-running-a-household 

3 https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-figures 

4 https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2022/apr/womens-health-and-health-care-united-states 

5 https://womenintheworkplace.com/

6 https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body