What makes a contemporary woman empowered? The consistency in maintaining her good health. As women, our bodies are built differently and are more complex than men. Our body is equipped for giving birth, which makes it delicate and at the same time very strong.
How is it different?
- Brain is different from men, I do not wish to detail about physiology, but our brain physiology and capabilities differ.
- Our body composition is different. We have more fat mass and less lean mass than men. The area of fat deposition also differs.
- Muscle mass is less as compared to men, so is muscular strength.
- Reproductive system is the main difference. It creates a set of hormonal cycles which are different and more challenging for females.
- Iron reserves are less in women than men. That’s why it is difficult to transport oxygen.
- We tend to have less hemoglobin. Even a normal range is difficult, more difficult is to maintain it. We lose some hemoglobin every month during our cycles.
- Our duties are different.
What do these differences imply?
The female body needs high maintenance. Through my years of experience, one observation I have personally made is that if a woman experiences any major deviation, all the above differences become larger. For example, if someone becomes obese, physical strength lessens further, iron stores, hemoglobin among other factors get worsened, monthly cycles and hormones trouble more. All of this becomes an add-on with the excruciating period pains.
If we gain weight it is more difficult to lose as compared to men, if we lose a lot of weight gaining back is also very difficult.
If we have hormonal issues, hell breaks loose. For instance hypothyroidism, PCOD/ PCOS, or problems like fibroids come to the surface.
What to do?
Become selfish. A bit, not like shirking away from responsibilities, but stop spoon feeding everyone around.
- Mothers always eat what is left, not what is supposed to be planned as a balanced diet.
- We spoon feed our father, brother and husband too. After all the woke movements, ‘hai himmat papa se keh do papa paani la ke do?’ I know a small percent of urban girls will say yes, but no most of us would say no, including me.
- Even worse, we are so serious about our work, if at the office someone doesn’t do it properly, we do not tell them to work better, we sit and overdo. Sometimes it will also happen because the males are not going to listen to you even if you are senior, but you need a raise too.
- If a helper doesn’t come, it’s our additional job, as elders are aging and males would not do properly.
- Our work is our exercise, which we might be sitting and doing.
- We sleep when we are sure, everyone has eaten, the kitchen is clean, curd is set, clothes for next day’s school, office are set, elders have taken medicines, and also if we still need to work on some office work after that.
With lesser muscle strength this extra work is what we are doing. Why? Nowadays educated males are cooperative. Take help from family. Elders should also work, otherwise they will end up with weaker muscles and bones. Kids should learn to do their chores themselves. If they have exams and are studying late they can take a break and make their own coffee. If someone doesn’t like the food prepared for everyone, they can fast. If work is not perfect, it is ok.
Do not overload yourself with unnecessary responsibilities. Take care, it’s in your nature, your brain is wired like that, you have motherly instincts. But you body also needs:
- Balanced diet, when you can soak almonds, cut fruits and give everyone, you can eat them too. No, you do not need to finish the extra portions leftover.
- Proper exercise
- Sleep
- Adequate water
- De-stress
