Confidence. As we age, gaining stories, achieving milestones, and racking up incredible life experiences, it’s something that ought to grow. Unfortunately, and especially for women, many aspects of aging diminish our self-esteem. And for women experiencing incontinence, our confidence can really take a hit. In fact, a 2019 study concluded that most women with UI have a negative body image and about half have low self-confidence.
These numbers are devastating. They’re also a big part of why our mission at Attn: Grace goes beyond creating great products that help you manage the symptoms of incontinence. From the moment the idea behind Attn: Grace was born, we saw an opportunity to normalize this extremely common but deeply stigmatized condition.
With your help, we’re making strides in that direction. But of course, we can’t change the world overnight. So in the meantime, here are a few ways we’ve found to be helpful in cultivating the confidence that we all deserve to feel.
Movement that brings you joy.
The connection between regular physical activity and confidence has been studied extensively, and supports the notion that exercise (including walking, stretching, chair yoga, and low-intensity workouts) helps you feel more confident and capable.
If leaks are coming between you and the exercise that you love, we can help. Peeing during exercise is an inconvenient reality for many women, and part of why we designed our liners and pads to stay firmly in place as you move and super gentle (no chafing!) on your skin. Shop pads and get on with running, jumping, core workouts and more. Says Maxine, a heavy pads user, “The fit is wonderful. I feel confident doing all my activities knowing no leaks and no show.”
An attitude of gratitude.
Anyone can find fault with themselves if they look closely enough, but focusing on our flaws is not the right move. Studies show that having a gratitude mindset in which we appreciate all that we do have can boost your confidence and overall sense of well-being.
A gratitude ritual doesn’t need to be complicated; you could jot down five things that you’re grateful for each day as a journaling exercise, or interrupt negative self-talk with a moment of gratitude that brings new perspective.
Reliable sleep.
Are you getting enough sleep? It turns out that getting your 7-8 hours per night is related to having higher self-esteem. Prioritizing rest time and taking good care of yourself will help you feel your best. If nighttime incontinence is keeping you from getting the sleep you need, we’ve got you covered.
And remember how we were talking about gratitude? A 2009 study showed that people with a gratitude practice actually fell asleep faster at night than those who did not. It’s a win-win!
Surround yourself with positivity.
Where does negativity show up in your life? Social media, the news, and negative people can all bring us down and reinforce feelings of low self-worth. Try curating your social media feed with voices of positivity and noticing where negativity might be creeping in.
Connection with others is also a key predictor of confidence levels, so if you’ve been stuck in a rut, maybe now is the time to try something new. Pickleball, anyone?
If leaks are a part of life for you, we want to help you go into your world knowing just how amazing you are. Every product we make is designed to help you say yes to the activities and people that bring you joy. As one of our customers put it. “This product gives me the confidence to put on my best outfit and get back to life!” So put on that outfit, those shoes, or your skydiving suit and get back out there. You deserve it.
Ready to put confidence on autopilot? Explore a subscription with your Attn: Grace favorites.
Sources:
Investigation of body image, self-esteem, and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence
Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Happiness among College Students
Optimism and Self-Esteem Are Related to Sleep. Results from a Large Community-Based Sample
Gratitude influences sleep through the mechanism of pre-sleep cognitions
Group memberships boost self-esteem more than friends alone