March 8 marks International Women's Day, a global celebration of women's achievements. But beyond the recognition of progress, the day also serves as a crucial moment to reflect on the unrelenting pressures women face—and the toll it takes on their well-being.
Women are often expected to be everything to everyone: caregivers, leaders, nurturers, problem-solvers. Society praises their resilience but rarely acknowledges the emotional weight that comes with constantly showing up, giving, and leading. The unspoken expectation? That they do it all effortlessly, without pausing to consider their own needs.
Jaya Jaya Myra, a former immunologist turned mind-body wellness expert, who developed the term, “conscious character development, sheds light on this imbalance.
“Women have been conditioned to put everyone else first, often at the expense of their own health,” Jaya Jaya Myra explains. “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.”
This cycle of overextension isn't just a personal challenge—it's a systemic issue. From corporate boardrooms to home responsibilities, the expectation of “doing it all” persists, leaving women struggling to maintain balance. Studies show that women are more likely to experience stress-related illnesses, with anxiety and burnout disproportionately affecting them compared to men.
Rethinking Wellness Beyond the Surface
The solution, however, isn't just a matter of squeezing in more self-care moments. It requires a fundamental shift in how wellness is perceived.
“Wellness goes beyond spa days or green smoothies—it's about spiritual and emotional alignment,” Jaya Jaya Myra emphasizes. “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 approach highlights the need for deeper, more sustainable self-care practices that move beyond surface-level solutions. Instead of treating burnout as an inevitable part of modern womanhood, there needs to be a collective effort to build environments that support women holistically.
A Call for Change in Both Work and Society
Addressing the wellness gap for women requires more than individual efforts—it demands systemic change. Companies must actively implement policies that prevent burnout, such as flexible work schedules, mental health resources, and realistic expectations around productivity. In homes, partners and families must take an active role in redistributing responsibilities, ensuring that emotional and household labor isn't falling disproportionately on women's shoulders.
There must be a cultural shift in how society defines strength. Strength isn't just about pushing through exhaustion; it's also about knowing when to pause, ask for help, and prioritize one's own well-being.
International Women's Day serves as a powerful reminder that while women have made extraordinary strides in leadership, business, and advocacy, their success should not come at the cost of their health. True progress is not just about breaking barriers—it's about creating a world where women can thrive without burning out.
As conversations about gender equality continue, so must the discussion around how to better support women—not just in their roles as leaders and caregivers, but as individuals who deserve the same care they so often extend to others.
