3 Ways to ‘Choose to Challenge’ for International Women’s Day

In the US, March is Women’s History Month, and around the world, March 8, 2021, is traditionally celebrated as International Women’s Day!

As a female-founded, woman-led business, we at MBODY360 want to recognize and acknowledge all the women who have pioneered the health & wellness movement in the past, and who continue today to lead others – men, women, young and old – to better health and well-being. We are grateful for what you do and we are proud to support you.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Choose to Challenge’, and as they state on their official website:

A challenged world is an alert world, and from challenge comes change.

Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every
day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We
can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we
can all help create an inclusive world.

From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.

How can health practitioners and coaches ‘Choose to Challenge’ and support more women through healthcare?

Educate on Women’s Health Issues

If you specialize in women’s health, you can educate your audience on the health issues that affect women more often.

For example, the menstrual cycle is now considered a fifth vital sign according to the American College of Gynecologists. Changes in menstruation can indicate underlying health conditions that need to be addressed.

Also, most people don’t realize that women are more likely to die from a heart attack than from breast cancer. Taking care of cardiovascular health is as essential as caring for the reproductive system. Taming stress, getting enough sleep, and getting regular checkups can help mitigate the risk.

Support Women — the Family Health Decision Makers

According to the US Department of Labor, women make about 80% of the healthcare decisions for their families, and they are more likely than men to be caregivers.

At the same time, they often put themselves last when it comes to healthcare.

Through the pandemic, women have been busier than ever. According to the Jean Hailes National Health Survey, women coped with working longer hours and juggling working from home and managing remote learning for children. One in three said they didn’t have time to attend their own wellness appointments.

As a practitioner or coach, you can help support your community by offering low-cost or free health workshops for women who need them. You can reach and support more people if you have access to a community center, farmer’s market, church, or other community organization.

You can also offer the MBODY360 app to women in your community for free. Or if you charge clients for the app, you could offer a limited number of free or reduced-cost “scholarships” to female clients who may not be able to afford your programs.

When you can help women — our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters — improve their health, you are improving the health of whole families and communities.

Be an Influencer for Women’s Empowerment

As a coach or practitioner, you are in a unique position to voice support for women.

You can speak out about the inequalities in healthcare for women. Women’s health complaints are often ignored or dismissed by their doctors.

Research has found that doctors downplay pain complaints from women and will prescribe less medication than they will for men. Because they are more often labeled as hypochondriacs, women are less likely to seek help when they have heart attacks.

If you are a female practitioner, you can step into leadership by increasing your visibility. Speak at conferences, become the expert on local news programs, and get interviewed on podcasts.

You can also use your influence to encourage other women practitioners to become leaders in their field.

No matter your specialty, you can speak out about the importance of women taking care of their health during this month. Remember, you are an inspiration for us, and you are a role model in how you show up publicly and on social media.