It’s my seven-year therapist-versary. That’s a lot of 45 minute sessions spent bringing everything to the table. Some appointments have left me feeling mad, misunderstood, or overwhelmed. But the work I do in therapy helps me be more honest and authentic with people in my real life. And while I’m very happy with my current therapist, it took about 12 others to find the right fit. Here's what I wish someone had told me before my very first session:
Keep an open mind. One psychiatrist says more young women arrive at her office with self-diagnoses, often picked up on social media. While those labels can help make sense of your feelings, they can also limit your ability to explore other explanations or see things differently.
You’ve got options. There are many therapeutic approaches, so check whether a therapist’s style aligns with your needs. My first one after college had me talk about my dreams, when what I needed was practical help with my anxiety about rent.
Don’t settle. A therapist’s credentials don’t guarantee they’re right for you. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s OK to move on. One therapist who should have been an immediate no for me? She described my single parenthood as “out of wedlock.”
— Anna “Late for Session” Davies, writer
PS: PS: Holiday gifting has come up in my therapy sessions more than once. Got a gift giving system that lowers your December stress? Tell us how it works, and you might see it featured in our upcoming Holiday Budget guide.
Turns out, ovaries don't retire after menopause. New research suggests they remain active and may influence women's health long after their reproductive years.
To become a better runner, experts say strength exercises like lunges and squats may do more for you than stretching. Time to hit the weights.
Your desk job can take a toll on more than your posture. This 20-minute mobility routine could help ease aches from head to toe.
If it feels like everything hurts, you have company. A massive new study of more than six million people across 118 countries found that women reported more pain than men in all 11 body regions researchers examined. The biggest gaps? Facial discomfort (throbbing, shooting pain or jaw issues), headaches, and stomachaches. Women were also about 50% more likely than men to report severe symptoms.
But feeling worse doesn't necessarily mean you get better care. In the ER, women typically wait about 30 minutes longer than men and are less likely to receive medication for the same complaints. The problem has even inspired an advocacy campaign called “Dress to Depress,” which calls attention to how looking put-together can make it harder to get your symptoms taken seriously. So, how can you make sure your doctor hears you?
For Your Sanity:
Keep receipts. Track your symptoms for a couple of weeks before your appointment. When they hit, how bad they get, and what makes them better or worse. Compare that to your baseline. “This is worse than my usual migraines” tells a doctor more than a number on a scale.
Get specific. Instead of “my knee hurts,” explain what it stops you from doing: “I can’t walk more than a few steps at a time” or “I can’t stand at the stove long enough to make dinner.” Here are more phrases to try.
Bring backup. A friend or partner can take notes and help ask questions when you're too wiped out to advocate for yourself.
Leave with a plan. Know your next step and when to follow up if things don't improve. If you feel dismissed, seek a second opinion.
Cost. Timing. Finding the right fit. In a recent Instagram poll, 55% of you said all three factors are working against you when it comes to getting mental health support.
Rula helps address those barriers by taking most major insurance (with copays averaging around $15 a session†) and matching you with a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider from a network of 22,000+ professionals across 170+ specialties. World Mental Health Day may be over, but there’s no deadline for getting the support you need.
There’s nothing worse than washing your face, only to have your skin look more angry than it did when you woke up. These cleansers are designed for sensitive skin, so you can remove dirt, grime, and makeup without damaging your barrier.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
Well Fed
Bowled Over
If your feed is suddenly full of steaming bone broth bowls, you're not alone. The comfort food favorite combines crispy ground beef or tofu, rice or noodles, and veggies in a savory broth. Think of it as the best parts of soup and a grain bowl, with protein to help keep you full, carbs for energy, and vegetables for fiber and nutrients. Using bone broth can boost the protein content, too, though amounts vary by brand.
Three bowls worth making:
Bring the heat. This viral coconut beef broth bowl pairs ground beef with bok choy, rice, and a creamy red curry broth. Beef brings protein, iron, and vitamin B12. Skip red meat? Ground turkey or chicken works, too.
Give noodles a turn. These Asian-inspired beef broth bowls swap rice for ramen, with ground beef, veggies, and coconut-infused broth for a cozy weeknight dinner.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute a medical opinion, medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment of any particular condition. Always seek the advice of your physician, mental-health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
†Out-of-pocket costs may vary based on your insurance benefits.
