Mental well being for women

Mental health is a term used to describe cognitive, emotional well being in a person or mere absence of any mental illness. In today’s cutting edge world, with its own systemic challenges women’s mental well being needs to be heeded with patience and nuance. A woman's mental well being is tightly wound to cultural oppression and deeply entrenched gender roles. It is no news that a woman's mental health needs to be tended to much differently. Statistics suggest that Unipolar depression is predicted to be the second leading cause of global disability burden by 2020, common in women. India bears 36.6% global female suicides; 20.5% face partner violence, doubling PTSD odds. While there are major policy regulations that can benefit women equitably, and equal access to opportunities are needed, women can focus on a few variables that can improve their personal well being on a day to day basis.

Nutrition and lifestyle:

Nutritional psychiatry is a proven intervention for many mental health issues, regulating the gut-brain axis, can enhance well being. Super foods such as Omega 3 fatty acids present in fish, walnuts and flax seeds can help with anxiety and depression. Magnesium and zinc essential for nerve function are present in pumpkin seeds, lentils, almonds. Antioxidants can combat inflammation linked to depression, present in turmeric and greens. Probiotics in curd, fermented foods regulate serotonin. Pairing a rich balanced diet with a few healthy movements like strength training, pilates or even walking for a considerable amount of time have an effect on mental health in women. Spending time outdoors, even a meditative stroll around a park can change a string of thoughts.  

Menstrual Cycles and Hormones:

Hormonal and cyclical effects on women are significantly high, hormones released throughout the menstrual cycle have different effects. Decline in estrogen and progesterone during the luteal phase or the phase before period causes symptoms like anxiety and irritability. In Follicular phase or post period there is a considerable amount of improvement in overall moods and energy levels. Pain during the period and release of prostaglandins have an irritable and sad effect on women. Since these are biological symptoms there are ways to regulate these cycles by syncing them with a clean diet rich in magnesium, omega acids, and different types of seeds and nuts along with good body movement flow. 

External environments: 

Supportive and intimate connections largely benefit women in maintaining their emotional well being. Unstable relationships, turbulent home environments have an eroding effect on women. Dealing with constant criticism, gaslighting or any form of abuse lead to major mental health issues. In order to mitigate these situations, NGOs, focus groups and healthcare workers have done incredibly well. There is certainly help waiting to be asked once you're ready.