Women more prone to developing mental health conditions

This year, ‘Anxiety’ is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month. Anxiety is a normal emotion, but can sometimes get out of control and become a mental health problem if not dealt with accordingly

EVERY year during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, new studies come up to show and reiterate how women are more prone to develop mental health problems than men.

Women’s brains are said to be very different than men’s, which could play a role in their susceptibility to certain mental health conditions.

The Mental Health Foundation suggest that women are three times more likely than men to experience common mental health problems in their lifetime.

This year, ‘Anxiety’ is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month. Anxiety is a normal emotion, but can sometimes get out of control and become a mental health problem if not dealt with accordingly.

Expert tips on how to ease anxiety abound everywhere, but here are some practical ways that women in Doha can easily do to deal with their anxiety and help improve their mental health.

Mindful breathing

Evridiki Iliaki, head and senior psychologist of the Doha-based How Women Work Global, said anyone can do mindful breathing anywhere and anytime.

A mindful breathing technique is described as the most basic yet powerful mindfulness practice which reduces stress and anxiety. To do mindful breathing is to focus your attention on your breath, the inhale and exhale.

According to the University of California Berkeley, mindful breathing is a way to build resilience to stress, anxiety, and anger. It added that evidence suggests that if done five minutes daily for at least a week, mindfulness increases the more you practice it.

How do you do it?

A deep inhale through your nostrils (3 seconds), hold your breath (2 seconds), and a long exhale through your mouth (4 seconds).

Forest bathing

Forest bathing, is another practical soul calming tip women can do by immersing themselves in nature through the growing number of parks across Qatar.

This Japanese practice is a process of relaxation also known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you while breathing deeply can help you destress and boost your health and well-being in a natural way.

Sleep hygiene

According to the Sleep Foundation, obtaining healthy sleep is important for both physical and mental health, improving productivity and overall quality of life. Improving sleep hygiene has little cost and virtually no risk, making it an important part of a public health strategy to counteract the serious problems of insufficient sleep and insomnia.

The Sleep Foundation added that strong sleep hygiene means having both a bedroom environment and daily routines that promote consistent, uninterrupted sleep. Keeping a stable sleep schedule, making your bedroom comfortable and free of disruptions, following a relaxing prebed routine, and building healthy habits during the day can all contribute to ideal sleep hygiene.

“Every sleeper can tailor their sleep hygiene practices to suit their needs. In the process, you can harness positive habits to make it easier to sleep soundly throughout the

night and wake up well-rested.”