
Women’s health isn’t just about reproductive health! Live well with the assurance that you’re upkeeping your physical and mental health, as well as your financial security.
No matter what stage of life you’re in, health comes first. And while “women’s health” may be mostly associated with sexual and reproductive health, we believe that physical, mental, and financial health are equally important. As we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and World Mental Health Day this October, we bring to you expert advice from Jocelyn Tsao, family lawyer at Withers; and Tricia Yap, women’s health specialist and the founder of Limitless gym. Read on to find out how you and your loved ones can advocate for your health, whether you’re single, in a relationship, married, or divorced.
How to take care of women’s health
What steps can couples take to support each other’s health and finances in marriage?

Tricia: When one partner decides to prioritise their health, an unsupportive spouse can derail them from achieving their goals – don’t be that person! Instead, lend support to each other or, better yet, make a collective decision to put health first. Take a healthy habit and do it together, because it can make the journey ahead easier, with the both of you tackling the challenges. You can work out together just once a week, try a new hike, or even learn a new sport.
Jocelyn: Finance-wise, I believe it’s important for couples to have financial transparency. This means being honest about not just your assets and income, but also any debts you have. I’ve seen couples end up in divorces because of financial insecurity and mistrust – and this can be especially common when there’s huge financial disparity between them. Depending on you and your partner’s preference, you may want to have joint accounts, so that you can both feel you’re making fair contributions towards the family finances, and that you’re building something together.
How do we prevent burnout balancing family, our career, and our own needs?

Tricia: A major part of optimising women’s health is stress management, which is often the biggest obstacle that prevents people from achieving their health and fitness goals. Marriage and starting a family are two significant life transitions, notwithstanding what’s happening with your career and personal goals. I see many clients who try to “do it all” – and if this is you, too, I’d suggest you first figure out what your priorities are. If things don’t fall within those priorities, then don’t be afraid to say no. Setting boundaries is key.
Also, don’t hold back from asking for support during high-stress periods. When you clearly communicate to others about what you need help with and how you can be helped, you’ll be surprised by how many people who love you and care about you will want to come to your aid. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather one of strength!
What advice would you give newly-weds or new parents who are considering leaving their jobs to look after their family?

Tricia: Putting your career on hold is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. There’s a learning curve as you take on new and unfamiliar responsibilities. Plus, this process can be isolating, as your network and social circle may change.
Jocelyn: Absolutely. If you decide to quit your job to become a stay-at-home parent, you need to understand what the implications of this decision are – especially if the marriage breaks down. Nowadays, the courts generally encourage people to be financially independent, instead of relying on their ex-spouse as a meal ticket for life. This means they often limit spousal maintenance, even if the couple has been married for many years and the children are still dependent on the primary carer who gave up their job. So, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be looked after by your spouse for the rest of your life in the unfortunate event of a divorce, unless it’s a very long marriage and the dependent spouse is no longer “young” (e.g. in their late 50s or older).
Tricia: That being said, becoming a stay-at-home parent can also be a rewarding decision! Just heed these top tips to maintaining women’s health:
- Remember why you’re doing this. When things get hard, this will help you stay the course.
- This decision doesn’t have to be permanent – you can choose to change it. If your plan is to return to work in the future, set yourself milestones where you sit down and evaluate.
- Pursue a hobby, interest, or further studies. Looking after the family doesn’t mean you can’t do things or learn something new for yourself, too!
- Form a support network of like-minded individuals around you, whom you can ask for help from when you need it.
- Be aware of your own health, and put the oxygen mask on yourself before you put it on others. So, if you suspect you may be suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety, don’t be afraid to seek help from a qualified professional.
For marriages further down the line, what are some “red flags” that prompt revisiting legal or care planning documents?

Jocelyn: I often advise people to sign prenuptial agreements prior to a marriage, as that brings clarity and certainty to what would happen to their finances in the event of a divorce. For those who are already married, it’s not too late to sign postnuptial agreements. Though it can be more difficult to initiate a conversation about why you’d want to sign one when there’s nothing wrong in the relationship, a good time to open the conversation might be when you’re about to inherit wealth or receive assets as gifts from your parents. Since those assets are non-matrimonial by nature, it may be easier to explain to the other person why your family or parents feel the need for you to sign a postnuptial agreement.
Another obvious piece of legal document that a person should consider signing is a will – if cracks begin to form in a marriage, and one no longer wants the majority of their wealth to be inherited by their spouse.
How should we initiate the discussion or approach the topic of personal finance with our partner?

Jocelyn: Signing prenuptial agreements before marriage is actually an easy way to open up conversations about finances. Trust and openness are key ingredients for a successful marriage, so don’t shy away from this topic! As for those who are already married, it’s all about seizing the small opportunities that might open a gateway to ask and learn more about your partner’s income and finances, such as when there’s a change in financial circumstance (e.g. when they’re promoted, or when they share with you that they’re about to buy or invest in something). Broaching the topic of money isn’t easy, but you might be surprised at how naturally the conversation would flow once you’ve taken the first step.
Learn more about Jocelyn Tsao of Withers and Tricia Yap of Limitless.
This post is in partnership with Jocelyn Tsao, Withers.