Women are expected to be everything to everyone—caregivers, leaders, nurturers, and problem-solvers. Society often assumes they can juggle these roles effortlessly, moving from one responsibility to the next without missing a beat. But beneath this expectation lies a stark reality: the emotional toll of constantly showing up, giving, and leading can be overwhelming.
March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a moment to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide. But it is also a time for reflection—an opportunity to examine the pressures women face and the importance of self-care beyond superficial wellness trends.
“Women have been conditioned to put everyone else first, often at the expense of their own health,” asserts Jaya Jaya Myra, former immunologist turned mind-body wellness expert who coined the term, “conscious character development”. “Emotional exhaustion, stress, and burnout don’t just happen—they accumulate when women aren’t given permission to rest, to process, to care for themselves as deeply as they care for others. We praise resilience but forget that even the strongest women need support.”
The Unspoken Burden of Emotional Labor
While conversations about workplace equity and gender parity have gained traction in recent years, the issue of emotional labor remains largely unaddressed. Women often bear the weight of invisible responsibilities—managing the emotions of others, acting as peacemakers in families and workplaces, and absorbing the stress of those around them. This unrecognized burden can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems.
Research supports this. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that women disproportionately take on emotional labor in both professional and personal settings, often at great personal cost. While men may share logistical household tasks, women are still more likely to handle the mental and emotional load—remembering birthdays, managing social schedules, and providing emotional support to friends, children, and partners. This type of labor is exhausting, yet it is rarely acknowledged or compensated.
Rethinking Self-Care: Beyond Superficial Wellness
In response to burnout, self-care has become a buzzword, often reduced to bubble baths, facials, and spa retreats. While these activities can provide temporary relief, they do not address the root causes of stress and emotional exhaustion.
“Wellness goes beyond spa days or green smoothies—it’s about spiritual and emotional alignment,” says Jaya Jaya Myra. “Creating space for stillness and for reflection is reflected in the rituals that nourish the soul. Whether it’s meditation, journaling, mindful movement, or simply breathing with intention, prioritizing wellness is an act of self-respect. When women tend to their own spirit, they cultivate the strength to move through life with clarity, peace, and purpose.”
This shift in perspective reframes self-care not as an indulgence, but as a necessity. It highlights the importance of setting boundaries, embracing stillness, and fostering an internal dialogue that prioritizes personal well-being over external validation.
Permission to Rest
For many women, the biggest barrier to true self-care is guilt. The ingrained belief that they must always be productive, always available, and always giving makes rest feel like an act of defiance rather than a fundamental human need. Yet, experts agree that rest is not something that needs to be earned—it is essential for long-term well-being.
“We need to change the narrative that rest is a luxury,” Jaya Jaya Myra emphasizes. “Women don’t need to prove their worth through exhaustion. They don’t need to earn rest. They simply need to give themselves permission to heal.”
This shift starts with individual choices—saying no without guilt, asking for help without shame, and embracing stillness without apology. But it must also be supported on a societal level. Workplaces need to implement policies that acknowledge and accommodate the mental and emotional load women carry. Families need to redistribute responsibilities in ways that do not default to traditional gender roles. And communities must recognize that supporting women means creating environments where they are encouraged to prioritize their own health.
As International Women’s Day approaches, it serves as a reminder that true empowerment is not just about breaking barriers in the workplace or achieving societal milestones. It is also about dismantling the unspoken expectations that women must sacrifice their well-being for the sake of others. By redefining wellness, rejecting guilt, and embracing rest, women can reclaim their energy, strength, and peace—on their own terms.
