March 8th is recognized globally as International Women’s Day and is aimed as a way to celebrate the achievements of women across the globe – historically, culturally and politically. However, despite days like this that help celebrate the contributions women have made to societies around the world, nearly 1 in 4 people across the US face some sort of mental health disorder. Going even further, did you know that there are certain factors that can lead to women being more vulnerable than men when it comes to mental health issues?

Here are two ways that may put women at a great risk when it comes to mental health issues:

Biological Factors: Women are more than twice as likely to suffer from depression compared to men. While the main reasons for why this is true are still unclear, many believe biological factors play a large role – specifically the hormonal changes that women go through throughout their lives. One of the largest factors can be seen in the form of postpartum depression, which affects as much as 41% of women who give birth. Women also appear to produce less serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps you feel good and happy, as compared to men.
Social Factors: While there have been amazing strides in gender equality, women today can still find themselves being challenged by social status, career positions and more. Women also make up 80% of all caregivers for elderly loved ones while also still being seen as the primary caregivers for children as well. These responsibilities can contribute to excess stress and depression.

To combat these factors here are some great tips you could try:

• Don’t be afraid to reach out for support: The best way to get help, no matter the issue, is to ask for help. Reach out to your family, friends, coworkers or a professional if you are feeling overwhelmed emotionally or mentally.

• Work on your overall health: Good mental health can easily start with good overall health. Be sure to get regular exercise, sleep the recommended 7-9 hours a night, eat healthy while avoiding too much caffeine and alcohol (especially before bed!).

• Get Some Sun: Getting exposure to sun is a great way to improve your mood. Science states that getting at least 15 minutes of sunshine every day can help increase production of that feel-good chemical, serotonin.

• Fight off negative thinking: Everyone can have a “what if” scenario in their head or overthinking a certain situation or emotional response. However, how you handle these situations can greatly help ease worry, stress or tension. Instead of stressing on the negative side of things, try and be positive. A great example of this can be seen in a situation at work where you were given an extensively long and difficult project. Instead of thinking to yourself “I’ll never get this done” tell yourself that you were given this task because someone believed you were capable of completing it.