Let’s clear up one common misconception from the get-go: Self-care is not synonymous with self-indulgence or being selfish. Self-care means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy be well, do your job, help and care for others in your family and around you, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day.
Self-care is holistic, right from the food you put inside your body – to exercise and spending time with your loved ones. Self-care comes in many forms (emotional, practical, physical, mental, social & spiritual). But when it comes to our intimate health, we often neglect our most precious and powerful lady parts and give into different taboos and stigmas. These taboos silence us about our intimate area health and needs.
Most women today do not even know the basic female anatomy. Discharge, discomfort, odour and hundred other things always have us wondering and confused. Is it an easy game after all? The truth is, the more we know and understand, the more confident and connected we feel with our body.
You’ve probably heard from us or your gynaecologist (if you have visited one yet) that your vagina is perfectly capable of taking care of itself, but you may want to give your vulva a little bit of attention. This skin is sensitive, and if you’d like to give it some extra TLC, you deserve to!
Here’s why intimate self-care can help women feel their best.
Intimate self-care can make you more resilient to common issues, such as: Irritation, discomfort, Dryness and bacterial build up from sweat, urine and bowel flora.
So, where do you even begin?
This is THE most sensitive part of your body, and it’s important to do your research.
Start by bringing a little mindfulness to your intimate skin.
- Pay attention– Notice how you feel down there throughout the day. Do you experience any discomfort? If so, when? You may want to keep a little notepad or journal to jot down any days of the month where you regularly experience changes.
- Visit a gynae– Have a regular check once in 6 months to ensure everything down there is great.
- Know the female anatomy– Spend some time getting to know the entire area surrounding down there, whether that’s spending a Sunday morning researching or simply taking an extra minute to look at your intimate area in the mirror before you get dressed.
- Find the products that work for you– Different parts have different needs. Now that you’re in tune with what’s happening in and around your vagina, start researching the products that will make your intimate skin feel its best and that maintains the pH balance of your intimate skin (3.8 to 4.5)
- Educate others– Whether its your mom, sister or girlfriends. Educate them and guide them about the intimate area.
No matter what’s going on with your intimate skin, trust that the time you spend caring for the most intimate part of your body is always time well-spent.
