The Significance of Women’s Mental Health

We’re quick to consider our health as a justification for our choices – we eat well, exercise regularly, and manage our illnesses – but mental health shouldn’t be forgotten. Women, in particular, seem to experience a disproportionate amount of stress and challenges in their lives, especially during certain stages of life. 

Whether it is stress, work-life management, family responsibilities, hormonal changes, or the demands of society, women’s mental health issues are diverse and have a direct impact on overall well-being. So, why does women’s mental health matter? That’s the first question to answer in our journey toward creating a safe, nurturing, and women-friendly environment for every woman.

The Unique and Valid Challenges Women Face

Multiple biological, social, and psychological factors influence women’s mental health. Growing up into adulthood and aging into older age is characterized by periods of hormonal shifts – menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, all of which can precipitate mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders – sex and gender differences in the pathophysiology and symptom presentation and course of diseases are well-established in psychiatry textbooks. 

Depression and anxiety disorders are more commonly diagnosed in women compared with men. Hormonal changes during life – for example, during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause – have been shown to compound mental health challenges.

In addition to biological factors, women tend to have more or different stressors than men – many of them juggling work outside the home, home life and family care, domestic activities, the expectations of others, and the constant challenges of socialization. They’re expected to be superwomen and suffer in silence. 

Perhaps it’s not surprising that mental fatigue, burnout, and pressure to succeed across many fields have a greater effect on women. It’s a symptom of the way mental health relates to women’s lives and their everyday realities.

Mental Health and Overall Wellness

Mental health is not a separate entity from a woman’s overall well-being; it is the foundation that determines all other aspects. For instance, financial worries can lead to poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, and a lack of energy, exacerbating physical health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. 

Unresolved mental health issues can also strain relationships, leading to a decrease in the quality of life. This interconnectedness underscores the crucial role of mental health in maintaining overall wellness.

For example, mental health problems such as depression and anxiety don’t just cause sadness or nervousness but also affect motivation and the ability to concentrate and get things done, which can be significant in the work context or managing responsibilities at home. The experience of headaches, stomach upsets, or chronic pain are often stress- and anxiety-related symptoms, illustrating the close interplay between mental health and physical health.

The Stigma of Mental Health

One of the most significant barriers to improving the mental health of women is the stigma associated with asking for help. There are many reasons a woman may feel she needs to be stoic and put on a brave face. 

In some religions and cultures, she may feel she needs to ‘keep up appearances’ and not show weakness. Society generally tends to make women feel that they must be strong and ‘hold everything together’ while admitting that their struggle is a sign of weakness. 

While there are many reasons for this stigma, admitting we have a problem and asking for help is not a sign of weakness; rather, it demonstrates a willingness to heal, grow, and nourish ourselves.

We discuss it openly at Women’s Innerfitness Counseling and Wellness Center. We work to break the stigma. Mental health conditions are treatable illnesses, and with proper support and care, women can be helped to overcome most of their challenges.

Empowerment through Prioritizing Mental Health

A key component to women making nutrition a priority includes encouraging the practice of regular wellness habits supported by their everyday lifestyle. The SHEE framework (Sleep, Hydration, Exercise and Eating Well), is a simply constructed approach to guide the practice of basic health support to mental wellness. 

For instance, adequate sleep promotes mood and cognitive function, staying hydrated aids in regulating energy levels and focus, regular exercise enhances endorphins that fuel stress relief, and a nutritious diet promotes optimal brain and body function.

Meditation, journaling, or deep breathing exercises can also be therapeutic, especially when you’re looking to cope with stress or anxiety or simply want to take a step back and process your emotions. 

Sometimes, you might need to call reinforcements: ask a loved one to be your shoulder to cry on or call on a professional to offer counseling or group therapy.

Support for Women’s Mental Health at Women’s Innerfitness

At Women’s Innerfitness Counseling and Wellness Center, we believe mental health is the foundation for all health. We offer a range of services, including individual counseling, group therapy, wellness programs, and a supportive community designed to give women the tools and resources they need to manage their mental health. 

We work with women to navigate times of change and stress and heal from traumatic experiences. Our services are delivered through an empathetic, empowering, and evidence-based approach.

Mental health matters because it affects the very nature of life itself; an unhealthy mind can lead to an unhealthy life, but with proper attention, mental health issues can be effectively managed. Openly acknowledging and proactively tackling mental health issues allows women to be more resilient, to have stronger relationships with others, and to lead happier, healthier lives.

Take the Next Step

We’ll be with you if you’re ready to begin your path toward better mental health. Please get in touch with us today to learn more about our counseling and wellness programs for women at all stages of life.