Transforming Stress into Strength: Embracing Women’s Holistic Health
Nicolette Lazarus
Womanship Founder & CC0 (Chief Connection Officer) | Public Speaker. Connecting women and Wellness Professionals so both can thrive.
In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month and Stress Awareness Day, throughout November, Womanship. is diving into the deeply connected impact of stress on women’s wellness. Research reveals that stress remains one of the most significant health challenges women face, influencing our physical, emotional, and mental health through all stages of life.
Women carry a unique, interconnected mental load from careers, families, and personal worries. This mental load can build into chronic stress, which we may not even recognize, and is a major contributor to disease risk. Now more than ever, we need a wellness approach that supports every part of our lives - from our careers and families to our personal identity.
Resistance Is at the Roots of Wellness
Historically, self-care has been a vital tool for resilience, especially for communities facing systemic challenges. Today, it’s essential for us as we continue the fight for equity. Activist Audre Lorde stated, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation,” highlighting self-care as a necessary form of resistance."
This legacy also shines through in the work of the Black Panther Party, which, in the 1960s and 70s, used community health practices to build strength. Through their People’s Free Medical Clinics, they provided screenings, vaccinations, and nutrition education, showing that wellness thrives when embraced as a community-oriented approach.
Health and Wellness as a Collective Commitment
At Womanship, we honor this legacy by advocating for health and wellness as a shared, essential right. Originally focused on marginalized communities, the principles of collective wellness resonate universally today. Considering the inequality women face, we too form a marginalized community...despite making up half the population.
Adequate health and self-care shouldn’t be a luxury but a foundation for handling the pressures unique to women. Our philosophy invites every woman to “share more” and adopt self-care as both a personal and collective act of resilience in a world not yet built for us.
Imagine the difference if there was equal female representation in the governments of the world’s warring factions. By coming together and supporting one another, we can create the equity we deserve and change the world for the better.
Why Holistic Wellness Matters for Women
Women need a wellness approach that addresses mental, emotional, and physical stressors - everything from balancing work and caregiving to managing hormones and self-identity. Research from the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that women experience higher stress levels than men, resulting in symptoms like sleep disturbances, headaches, and fatigue. Who, for example, is more likely to suffer from sleepless nights after a child’s birth or during the intense period from peri to post menopause?
Chronic stress is also linked to cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders, with stress-related issues accounting for up to 80% of primary care visits. It’s clear that wellness must encompass all life dimensions, rather than the outdated approach that views each role in isolation.
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The Financial and Physical Cost of Burnout
For women balancing professional and caregiving roles, burnout exacts a heavy toll. Studies show that 1 in 3 women reports feeling burned out, especially those juggling both work and family. Addressing burnout proactively helps each of us individually by preventing serious health issues, and benefits us as a community by potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs.
Mark your calendar for our “Things Women Don’t Talk About: B for Burnout” events! Join us in person on November 26th and online on November 3rd!
Our Connected Holistic Health
Womanship’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that our health is intricately connected across all areas of life. Our experiences in career, family, relationships, and physical health influence one another. Hormonal changes during stages like menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause amplify these connections, affecting how stress is experienced and managed.
We encourage women to “Share more. Worry less” within a supportive community that celebrates life as a rich blend of experiences. Instead of separating life into “motherhood” or “career,” we advocate a holistic view where every part of life is supported together.
Building Resilience Through Community Support
Our vision of holistic wellness includes creating spaces where women can safely share their challenges, access community support, and receive professional advice and resources. As Angela Davis put it, “If we don’t start practicing collective self-care now, there’s no way to imagine, much less reach, a time of freedom.”
We believe that unity in wellness is the first step toward supporting one another in the face of inequity. If we come together as half the world’s population, we have the power to create profound change.
Let’s stand together to transform stress into strength, for a world where every woman can thrive.
Sign up for the Womanship Share more. Worry less. newsletter by clicking here and join a community where your wellness and your voice are valued.
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