7 Domains of Women's Health

Stress is not just a personal experience—it is deeply influenced by our social environments and roles. From the circumstances we are born into to the ones we actively choose, social stressors shape how we navigate the world. Social media and news media further amplify these pressures, often fueling stress with a constant stream of information and societal comparisons.

In the social domain of stress, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore the complex relationship between social structures and stress. They discuss the collective stress faced by communities and how these shared challenges intersect with personal stress. By understanding these dynamics, we can better navigate and address the social factors that impact our well-being.

Many of us have experienced being "stressed out," but what does that really mean, and how does it impact our emotional well-being? Stress can be immediate—a response to a single challenging event—or it can be chronic, lingering over time and leading to deeper issues like anxiety and even depression. The line between stress and anxiety is often thin, with chronic stress intensifying emotional strain. When left unaddressed, this emotional burden can impact physical health, leading to symptoms like sleeplessness, overeating, or loss of appetite.

In the emotional domain of stress, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore the link between emotional health and stress, offering strategies to manage stressors within our control and develop healthier responses to support overall well-being.

Stress is a natural response in our bodies, but when experienced chronically, it can take a serious toll on physical health. When faced with a stressor—whether it is a challenging work situation or a sudden loud noise—our bodies release hormones that heighten alertness and prepare us for action. However, chronic stress can lead to health concerns such as headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive issues, and insomnia, significantly impacting well-being.

In the physical domain of stress, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, discuss the body's instinctual response to stressors and how we are wired to react. They share practical strategies to manage both external stressors and our internal responses to maintain a healthy mind and body.

Cultures and individuals alike often develop deep spiritual connections to certain items throughout their lives. Across various societies, these spiritual attachments to material objects reflect beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife. Yet, when we pass away, it is often said that none of the physical possessions we have accumulated can come with us.

Whether it’s a cherished family heirloom or items symbolizing a connection to the afterlife, these objects can carry significant meaning. Cultural anthropologist Polly Wiessner joins the spiritual domain of stuff to discuss what we leave behind versus what we take with us spiritually.

On average, people move over 11 times in their lives, accumulating possessions and leaving many behind with each move. The things we bring into our homes can shape the atmosphere and function of our living spaces, but too much "stuff" can lead to clutter, detracting from the comfort and meaning we seek in our home environments. The balance between what we keep and discard plays a key role in defining what makes a house feel like home.

In the environmental domain of stuff, Kirtly Jones, MD, and her brother, Steven Parker, reflect on their frequent moves—together as a family, and individually—and the items they've accumulated along the way. They explore how our possessions impact our home environment, from deciding what belongings create a sense of comfort to knowing when it’s time to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose.

The average American household contains over 300,000 items, many of which are unused or unnecessary. This accumulation of "stuff" not only leads to physical clutter but can also have financial consequences. From spending money on items we don't need to paying for storage, the cost of keeping excess belongings can quickly add up.

Julie Hegeman, a professional organizer and owner of A Cleaner Space in San Diego, joins Kirtly Jones, MD, to explore the financial domain of stuff. They discuss how clutter can keep you from fully living your life and how working with a professional organizer can be a valuable investment. Julie shares insights into the decluttering process and explains how letting go of unnecessary possessions can free up both physical space and mental energy, ultimately saving you money and adding value to your life.

The average person is exposed to an overwhelming amount of information daily—from news updates and social media feeds to work emails and personal texts. Research suggests we encounter roughly 34 gigabytes of data every day, far more than our brains can comfortably process. This constant influx can make it difficult to retain the information we want to remember while simultaneously struggling to forget what we’d rather not.

In the intellectual domain of stuff, Kirtly Jones, MD, talks about the impact of our information-rich environment on cognitive health and overall well-being. She explores how our brains filter and store knowledge, the psychological burden of information overload, and strategies for retaining what’s meaningful while letting go of the rest.

Humans began as nomadic wanderers, carrying only what was essential for survival. Over time, as societies developed, so did the accumulation of possessions, with “stuff” becoming a significant part of our social lives and identities. The objects we surround ourselves with often carry social and cultural meaning, reflecting our status, beliefs, and values.

In the social domain of stuff, Kirtly Jones, MD, speaks with cultural anthropologist Polly Wiessner, PhD, to explore the social and anthropological perspectives on "stuff." They discuss how and when humans transitioned from being nomadic to collecting possessions, what this shift reveals about our human behavior, community, and culture, and the complex relationships we have with material goods and how they shape—and are shaped by—social dynamics.

Emotional attachments to possessions can be deeply ingrained, sometimes leading to behaviors like hoarding, which affects approximately 2-6% of the population and is recognized as a mental disorder. Hoarding can impact an individual's quality of life, resulting in cluttered living spaces, strained relationships, and increased stress and anxiety.

In a heartfelt conversation, Ivy Bauers, a self-identified hoarder, candidly shares her personal experiences and struggles with accumulating possessions. She offers insight into how her attachment to "stuff" has affected various aspects of her life, including relationships and daily functioning.

Kirtly Jones, MD, also speaks with Tyler Durns, MD, a forensic and clinical psychiatrist, about the psychological underpinnings of hoarding. They explore how and why some people develop intense emotional connections to their belongings, what differentiates hoarding from ordinary collecting, and the mental and emotional challenges associated with the disorder.

Many of us are surrounded by more possessions than we truly need. Research shows the average household contains thousands of items, many of which go unused, contributing to our physical and mental clutter. This overabundance of "stuff" can complicate our lives and blur the line between our needs and wants.

In the physical domain of stuff, Kirtly Jones, MD, explores how the accumulation of material goods relates to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The episode focuses on distinguishing between genuine needs and mere wants, and how simplifying our lives can often lead to greater fulfillment and well-being.