Happy International Women's Day - March 8th

 


Every year on International Women's Day, the emphasis is on achieving gender equality and unity. There are approximately equal amounts of women and men who suffer from mental health illness. Women are most often diagnosed with anxiety, along with other mental conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders.

Regardless of gender, the reasons for having a mental health disorder are never straightforward. Certain social variables can be assumed to have an influence.


Women in their families are usually the primary carers and caregivers of children or other dependent family members. These tasks can be highly intense and leave little time to take care of themselves.


Women are more than reflected in low income and low-quality employment, rendering women more vulnerable to poverty.


Women also have several obligations, they are stretched over the family's care, running the household, supporting their spouse and taking on paid work.


Statistics show that in more than 75% of recorded domestic violence-related offences, the victim was a woman. 


One in five women has been sexually abused since the age of 16. Previously, media campaigns were created specifically to teach women how to keep themselves safe and healthy in public. The additional caution required is another pressure to face every day.


Modern society assumes that women should look and behave in a certain way to gain acceptance. This desire for perceived perfection has been believed to trigger eating disorders, with over 1 million women in the UK struggling from a kind of eating disorder.


Women's empowerment aims to change most factors that contribute to mental health issues by encouraging equity and lowering women's risk. Once women are equal to men, the idea would be that mental health occurrences would also be comparable.


Ways to boost your mental health


Socialise with others.

Build and manage good relationships with those that will help you and boost your confidence. Our relationships have a significant impact on our happiness.


Take proper care of yourself.

Maintain a healthy body by being active and eating healthy. Physical and mental wellbeing are connected; it's easier to enjoy life when your body is in good shape. You don't have to go to the gym to get any exercise; gardening, vacuuming, dancing, and walking are all excellent options.


Try something new.

Take on a new challenge, or learn a new skill. You could try something new at work, setting a fitness goal or learning to cook a new recipe. Learning strengthens our mental health.


Take a break and relax.

Make sure you get enough rest. To get better sleep, go to bed at the same time every day and practise good habits. Both your body and mind benefit from sound sleep. However, you can still feel tired if you feel always rushed and overwhelmed once you're awake. Allow yourself some unfocused time each day to reflect: For instance, give your mind a chance to wander, daydream, or sit and enjoy the clouds. It's perfectly acceptable to add "do nothing" to your to-do list!


Pay attention to what is going on right now.

Every day, take some time to recognise each of your senses. Be in the zone – notice the air you breathe and enjoy the sun and wind on your face. It's easy to get caught up in thinking about the past or making plans for the future rather than living in the moment. An excellent way to do this is to practise mindfulness, focusing your attention on being in the present moment. It is critical for your mental health to make a conscious effort to be aware of your inner and outer worlds.


Look for and ask for assistance.

This can be as easy as talking to a friend or finding a counsellor or therapist when you're away from them. There is no such thing as a perfect, worry-free life. Everyone's life path has bumps, and the people in your life can assist you. If you don't receive the assistance you require right away, continue to ask until you get it.



Happy  International Women's Day !!!


Women and mental health | Mental Health Foundation

Solace - https://www.solacewomensaid.org/ - Domestic violence support 

Women aid - https://www.womensaid.org.uk - offering life-saving services to women and children suffering from domestic abuse

Imkaan - https://www.imkaan.org.uk -  fights violence against black and minority ethnic (BME) women 

Rights of women - https://rightsofwomen.org.uk -provides free and confidential legal advice to women on all types law 

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