Self-care is important, right? Duh! Getting enough sleep, doing a face mask, and going for a walk are all ways to master the art of loving yourself. Do you know what else is important?
Sexual wellness.
Although many college students may be unaware, self-care and sexual wellness go hand-in-hand. Let?™s put this into perspective!
Consider your first gynecologist appointment. You were probably feeling nervous or anxious. And this is totally normal!
Think about how much better you felt after receiving a normal pap smear test result. Or how much your confidence levels increased when your gynecologist told you that everything looks great!
That?™s the true power of self-care and sexual wellness. Taking care of your body is hot!
From An Expert
Sex has always been a seemingly taboo topic. For decades, women have been told to not openly discuss their menstrual cycles and sex life.
Why?
Because it?™s not very ‘lady-like.’
However, our generation is revamping the normalization of conversations around sex and self-care.
In this article from MEGA, sex therapist Dr. Rica Cruz shares her experiences with easing the tension around conversations about sex and self-care.
When she taught sexual education in college, she assigned homework that went beyond the classroom.
To help students become more comfortable in their own bodies, she tasked each of her students to stare at their bodies in the mirror.
Talk about empowerment!
Dr. Cruz also believes that sexual wellness and self-care go hand-in-hand, especially when it comes to sexual education in public settings.
“To be aware of our sexual health is a vital part of our well-being,” Dr. Cruz told MEGA. “It is advisable to go to the OB/GYN to have your pelvic exams, discuss your menstrual issues and get your HPV vaccines.”
To fight this ongoing hush-hush culture around conversations about sex and wellness, Dr. Cruz created her own sexual wellness store, Unprude. Unprude allows for all women to explore their sexual lives freely, regardless of pace and experience.
Ways To Implement Self-Care and Sexual Wellness In Your Life
To practice self-care and sexual wellness in your own life, consider the following:
- Keep Up Your Tests: The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a list of recommended tests for sexually active persons.
- Have Open Conversations With Your Partner: Maintain communication with your partner about topics of testing, birth control options and other sex-related topics
- Love Yourself: Like I said before, loving your body is hot!
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