How Being a “Good Girl” is Hazardous to Your Health

From a young age, we’re taught to be "good girls." We’re told to be polite, to be nice, not to interrupt, and to say thank you—even when we don't mean it. As little girls, we're best "seen", not heard and told that if you question authority or speak your mind, then you're bossy, too loud, or even a bitch.  

And while we know this is all nonsense as adults, so many of us still hold onto these beliefs and habits, which cause us to remain silent at board meetings, apologize to the other person when they cut us off in the checkout line, and remain silent in the doctor's office when we know something is wrong.  

It's "good girl syndrome", and it can seriously affect our health and even our safety, as you'll learn in this episode!  

In the episode, I share:  

• An essential lesson in self-advocacy I learned in 3rd grade that has and continues to serve me powerfully in my life and work  
• The science behind the "fawning" stress response and how so many of us do it without even noticing  
• "Good Girl Syndrome": what is it, why we develop it, and how it can even be damaging to our health 
• Why it's good for your health to be a "bad patient"  
• My experience being the "good girl" in medical school and how that led to a major shift 
•  How channeling my inner "bad girl" saved my patient's life  
• The power of the Wonder Woman pose and the tools necessary for women who are struggling to advocate for themselves  

And so much more!  

This episode is a MUST for every woman who needs empowerment to finally get her doctors to listen, to speak up to her boss, or to embrace her own inner Wonder Woman, power, and confidence.  

And remember to head over to my Instagram page to join in the convo on this episode.  

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.