Serving the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire of Georgia and South Carolina.
Monday, May 12, 2025
Families today come in all shapes and sizes, with evolving dynamics that allow for flexibility in responsibilities. Despite these changes, women still carry the brunt of the caregiving workload; research shows two-thirds of unpaid care work is done by women.
Whether it’s tending to your partner, young children, aging parents, or even friends and neighbors, these responsibilities require time and energy. When combined with work, chores, your social life and other responsibilities, it’s no surprise that many often struggle to prioritize their own needs — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
But for the sake of women and families everywhere, more change is necessary. Here’s why—and how—women may start putting themselves first in healthy ways.
Many women justify self-care simply as a means to stay healthy enough to support those who depend on them. But this still puts others at the center. If the idea of self-care is uncomfortable for you, recognize that by prioritizing your needs, you’re setting an example for children, family members, and even colleagues—encouraging them to do the same.
Even the basic stresses of modern life—when unchecked with authentic self-care—can put you at risk for serious health consequences such as depression and heart disease. Taking care of yourself supports not only your physical health but also your mental and emotional wellbeing, allowing you to reduce anger, anxiety, and resentment, and increase empathy, fulfillment, and connection.
Still, guilt can be hard to silence, especially when saying “yes” to yourself means saying “no” to someone else. Here’s how to not feel guilty about putting yourself first sometimes, and how to reframe self-care so that it’s understood as necessary and not indulgent.
If you’ve spent years paying attention primarily to others’ needs, even identifying your own can feel unfamiliar. Consider starting small with the self-care steps below and building on them over time.
Ample sleep, nourishment, and physical activity are necessities for your wellness—not luxuries. Ensuring these elements are part of your regular routine may help you prevent more serious health-related issues from developing down the road.
Extend the same compassion towards yourself as you would a loved one. Compassionate self-talk is just one example of positive thinking, which is linked to better overall wellbeing.
Everyone’s wellness objectives will look a little different, but here are some starting points to guide you.
What you add in for yourself is as important as what you say “no” to. Holding boundaries might look like splitting the night shift with your partner to care for your newborn, declining after-hours work requests, and turning down invitations to events in order to give yourself more space and energy.
You don’t have to do it all alone. Accepting help—whether by dividing responsibilities, hiring professional support, or using services like grocery delivery—can lighten your load and free up time for yourself.
Finding the time to put yourself first can be difficult, but receiving compassionate health care shouldn’t be. At SouthCoast Health, our primary care providers specialize in illness prevention and treatment for adults, allowing you to receive the care you need so you can feel your best. Request an appointment with one of our providers online or by calling 912.691.3600.
Whether you are looking for a primary care doctor or a pediatrician, or another medical specialist, SouthCoast Health has you covered with its wide range of world-class healthcare services, available throughout the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 18 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hilton Head, Hinesville, and Statesboro. SouthCoast Health offers comprehensive medical services including: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy and Asthma, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Eye Care, Imaging, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Neurology, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Surgery, Clinical Trial Research Studies, Diabetic Self-Management Training Sessions, Dietetic Counseling, Laboratory Services, Massage Therapy, Optical Shop, Pharmacy, and Urgent Care.
SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 18 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hinesville, and Statesboro.
