Check out my latest Q + A with Ethos for Life about Women’s Mental Health and What Can Be Done About it.

Questions by: Ethos for Life Founder Kimberly Arnold; Answers: Dr. Rachel

What are the biggest mental health concerns you’re seeing in women today?

Anxiety seems to be at the top of most women’s struggles. Although modern-day women are experiencing a significant surge in their own sense of empowerment, autonomy, and strength, along with this comes increased responsibility. As women take on varied roles and own their capacity to do more, they tend to be experiencing more stress too. 

Women are increasingly finding their voices, advocating for themselves in newfound ways, confronting social inequities, and still going to work, building businesses, managing partnerships, raising children, tending to households, and the list goes on. Our modern world demands a lot from us, and there are constant pulls from family, friends, social media, colleagues, children, partners, and pets vying for our attention and needing us to care for them. Although the paradigm is shifting, women are still responsible for a lot and often take on the caregiver role. This can lead to increased amounts of worry and trouble relaxing, two cornerstones of anxiety.

There’s also often underlying trauma that contributes to the more severe instances of anxiety. In any case, therapy is indicated and can really help.

What’s the best way to combat those concerns?

There’s an increased need to slow down, worry less, find balance and prioritize self-care. We need to get better at letting go, accepting what is, and being willing to set limits for what we expect ourselves to do. We can be ambitious and achieve great things without overwhelming ourselves with relentless worry that only serves to get in the way.

I highly recommend women commit to building a self-care practice. It may include talk therapy, exercise, yoga, meditation, mindfulness in daily living, connecting to community, taking time for fun, getting sufficient sleep, daily gratitude, setting limits and boundaries, being willing to say “no,” and taking at least one day a month solely for yourself.

Trust yourself to make it what you most need it to be, and commit to it unwaveringly. Allow it to be balanced with the right amount of solitude, pampering, and reprieve. You need to have time to connect with yourself.

This will reduce anxiety, disconnect, overwhelm, and nourish you enough so that you can truly embody the gorgeous powerful creature that you are.

What do you do to unwind and destress?

My medicine toolkit for unwinding and soothing stress includes daily walks both in the morning and evening, going to the gym for cardio and strength training sessions, daily spiritual connection through meditating and mindfulness, lighting scented candles, and staying committed to a reliable sleep routine. I also eat mostly unprocessed whole foods, which helps protect my energy and allow me to better connect to my intuition.

I also make sure to give myself the space I need to rejuvenate; I’m not afraid to ask for what I need in my relationships and honor my own instincts around when I’m feeling flooded. I’m constantly checking-in with myself about what I think I can let go of, or develop more patience for.

I’m always thinking, “How can I soothe my nervous system?” I stay curious. I use mindfulness so I’m not operating unconsciously on autopilot. This helps me notice what I’m experiencing and what I may need to take holistic care of myself.

Also, I have a therapist who provides me with sacred space to reflect, process, and heal, which we really all need. It’s a wonderful way I hold myself accountable in a safe place where I can feel really heard and understood.

Are there any ethical brands or products you love? Why?

I recently discovered The Neshama Project, which is an ethically sourced jewelry brand featuring stones from Israel handmade in California. The jewelry itself is stunning and spirited, AND 10% of every purchase goes to organizations that provide support to communities across the globe. Their mission is one grounded in giving back, building community, and empowered soulful connections. And, really, the jewelry is just so gorgeous!

I’m also OBSESSED with Pacifica’s deodorant underarm wipes. I’m just grateful they give me the chance to be grubby, and they’re a wonderful go-to if I’m feeling stinky after a work-out or on a hot day, and don’t have time to head home for a full shower. Pacifica is a vegan, cruelty-free company, which I value greatly.

Thredup is another cool company offering secondhand clothes online. I like how convenient it is to use! They send a free bag for you to return to them with clothes you want to sell. It’s easy for the modern-day women managing a lot, and recycling and reusing clothes helps reduce waste and create more planet sustainability. 

I’m a really big fan of the Love Beauty and Planet brand. Their products are gorgeously packaged and their mission is conscious and grounded in ethical care for our planet. The murumur butter and rose body wash is a soft and subtle delight. It’s good to see environmentally conscious brands make it into big retailers like Target.

And, Goop. I love the wellness aspects of the company, and I’ve been really enjoying the new podcast. They feature a lot of fascinating and interesting conscious content that I think will empower, enlighten, and support those who listen.

Is there a particular cause you’re passionate about?

I’m passionate about social justice, equality for all, and reducing health disparities in communities of those who are inherently disadvantaged by the unjust institutional and systemic structures that serve to keep them oppressed and marginalized.

My hope is that every human being, regardless of difference, can have access to all aspects of health and wellness, power, and care that will elevate communities and enhance peace throughout our world.

I’m inspired by the teachings of the Buddha and using compassionate, conscious, and generous acts of advocacy to acknowledge the areas in which oppression creates strife that can be avoided when the status quo is challenged and paradigms shifted.

Here are some of my favorite organizations making the type of impact I stand behind in wholehearted alliance:

Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Say Her Name
Social Justice Collaborative
East Bay Meditation Center
Yoga for the People
ACLU Racial Justice

Ethos For Life is the best in ethically made, woman-owned, cruelty-free, non-toxic fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Check them out all their wonderful products and support the progressive cause!