CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

I rarely write posts that could be deemed political but in today's climate I feel that it is so important that we celebrate women around us. In a time when apparently there is an approximately 20% wage gap between men and women in the UK (and in other parts of the world), a time where women do more unpaid work than men (both employment and domestic responsibilities) and a world in which women are coming to practitioners such as myself because they feel they no longer have choices in what happens to their body and their voices aren't heard when they talk about their health problems. There was even a study done showing that women's pain is taken less seriously than men's pain by doctors.

I know that sometimes it seems too hard to change anything as it is society that needs to change, but that isn't true. Every effort, no matter how small inspires others. To quote the Dalai Lama "The World Will be SavedIt's time for us to celebrate women, in all aspects of our lives. Our sisters, mothers, daughters, friends and most importantly ourselves.

So what can we do to start celebrating International Women's Day? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Celebrating You

Women spend so much time taking care of others, that they have so little energy left over for themselves. But it is time to ensure that your cup is full before you can refill the cup of others. No one can truly look after someone else is their own needs are not met.

Take this day as your sign to start looking after yourself. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Take some time for self care: whether time for a relaxing bath, going for a massage or reading for fun (seriously, when was the last time anyone got to do that)?

2. Listen to your favourite piece of music.

3. Date night, whether you have a partner or are single, you can still do something special.

4. Treat yourself to something that makes you feel good like fresh flowers.

5. Write down what you like about yourself and why you are so awesome.

6. Write down in a 5 things you are grateful for AND your part in them happening.

Celebrating The Women You Love

1. Pick up the phone to someone you haven't spoken to in a while.

2. Send a text message to at least 5 friends letting them know you're thinking of them, or why you think they are so awesome.

3. Write a letter or an e-mail to a woman who has enriched your life in some way.

4. Set up a girls night in or out, it doesn't really matter.

5. Light a candle for a woman you cherish but who is not longer with you.

6. Write a list of the friends you are grateful for as a mini gratitude journal.

Celebrating Other Women

1. Cook an extra portion of dinner and take it to a neighbour who needs it. You may even become friends and have her over for dinner.

2. Donate time, money or goods to a woman's shelter. Trust me, all donations, not matter how small matter.

3. Smile at all the women you see today.

4. Read I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Was Shot By The Taliban. Malala Yousafzai is a young noble prize winner who pursued education, a right we all take for granted, even after she was shot for doing so.

5. Watch Girl Rising, a documentary about the global campaign for girls education.

And whatever you end up doing to celebrate women today, I want to thank you for reading this, by being here, taking care of yourself and honouring your body, you are part of the change.

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