Shining a light of hope for all women this national Women's Day

It’s time to get real about mental health and we’re here to help this National Women’s Day! According to the WHO, it is estimated 1 in 4 people worldwide experience mental health in some form. This means that at some point, most of us, if not all are bound to experience a mental health issue. This doesn’t mean that it is something to be ashamed of, but rather an issue that needs to be spoken about openly. If we’re being honest, the Covid-19 pandemic was not the friendliest and was certainly uncharted waters that we all had to navigate. This is why we want to address the issue concerning our South African women this National Women’s Day and all they’ve had to endure.

With National Women’s Day coming up, we especially wanted to honour the women in South Africa by letting them know they’re not alone in their battle with mental health. A report from the Health and Human Rights Journal state that the South African female population suffers from depression and anxiety at some of the highest rates in the world. And we all know that the Covid-19 pandemic has certainly contributed to a lot more anxiety and stress. Whether it’s the pedantic mom afraid for her kids, super OCD, germaphobe, or the women that have had to navigate the many losses that have come as a result of the pandemic, everyone had endured some form of anxiety through this period. Join me as we walk through the different effects of what has occurred and the need for hope after a very dark period.

Addressing the Pandemic's Impact On Mental Health thisNational Women’s Day:

1. Gender-based statistics

The mental health effects on women in South Africa were not solely from the Covid-19 virus itself but was largely contributed from other relevant issues. The effects of gender-based issues in South Africa came from various sources and issues. These issues were as a result of :

• Gender-based violence

This issue was known as the secondary pandemic in South Africa throughout lockdown. During the first three weeks of the lockdown, more than 120,000 GBV victims were recorded by the GBV and Feminicide Command Centre. Call centres received up to 1,000 calls per day from women and children trapped in abusive homes seeking assistance.

• Majority of women testing positive for Covid-19

According to statistics, from 6 March through 27 November 2020, 56% of confirmed COVID-19 cases were female. More women are being tested for COVID-19 and they are at greater risk of contracting the disease. This is for several reasons being that women frequently use public transport, are healthcare (frontline) workers, looking after ill loved ones, etc.

• More women live with their children than men

During the lockdown, more women are raising children on their own and focusing more time on childcare.

• Gendered vulnerability

There is an increased number of women employed in front-line service jobs (like cashiers, cleaners, and nurses). Around 70% of healthcare professionals are female, which may explain why there are more female infections (and women are also tested more often). The health status of women and the presence of pre-existing conditions in households are greater than those of men. Medical aid is less common among women, and women rely more on public health care services.

• Job loss

The majority of the net job losses in South Africa were accounted for by women. This played a major role in loss of security and means to get by.

Apart from the gender-based issues, many other women experienced the rest of the pandemics’ wrath on their mental health. It was recorded that psychological stress caused by COVID-19 and its physical side effects contributed to psychological disorders.

These disorders include but are not limited to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dementia

While suicide is not a mental health issue, the majority of the causes of suicide comes from mental health issues and has played a big role in the effect of the pandemic on individuals. 

2. Results of the pandemic

As a result of the measures taken to ensure our health and safety, these measures have kept most of us alive but it has certainly made us question whether we’re really living or not. So if you feel you aren’t in celebratory spirits this National Women’s day, you’re not the only one The social distancing measures have made us feel isolated and alone which has caused tremendous depression and anxiety. As relational and social beings, out-of-the-norm living has certainly impacted our mental health for all the obvious reasons.

Apart from the symptoms of Covid-19, the stress that’s come with feelings of depression and anxiety include:

• Fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
• Changes in appetite, energy, interests, and desires
• Difficulties making decisions and concentrating 
• Disruptive sleeping patterns or nightmares
• Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
• Chronic health problems
• Severe mental health issues
• Increased use of addictive substances

How to Overcome Pandemic Anxiety To Enjoy This Year’sNational Women’s Day

• It is important to take breaks from watching, reading, and listening to the news.
• Keep your body in good health.
• Make time to unwind
• Connect virtually or in social-distanced areas with others
• Connect with your community- or faith-based organisations
• Meditate or journal to manage your anxiety
• Unfollow social media content that is negative or contributing to your anxiety
• Get some sun and enjoy the outside

• Keep hope alive

Keeping Hope Alive This National Women’s Day

Hal Lindsey says that “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air...but only for one second without hope.” This is a powerful reality when we think of keeping hope alive this National Women’s Day. While many women have had to endure the many issues that have played a role in their mental health, we keep hoping that they will find the strength in themselves and the community around them to keep fighting and overcoming.

Here are some mental health quotes to inspire, uplift, and encourage you:

1. “You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” — Dan Millman
2. “Take your time healing, as long as you want. Nobody else knows what you’ve been through. How could they know how long it will take to heal you?” — Abertoli
3. “One small crack does not mean that you are broken, it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.” — Linda Poindexter
4. “Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I’m not going to make it, but you laugh inside — remembering all the times you’ve felt that way.” — Charles Bukowski
5. “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” — John Green
6. “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” — Kahlil Gibran
7. “Recovery is not one and done. It is a lifelong journey that takes place one day, one step at a time.” — Unknown

Understanding that Covid-19 is still around, learning how to manage the new reality living among us can be a challenge.

For those women stressed out about:

• Figuring out how their kids can have play dates
• Inviting guests over again
• Coming home from work or the store
• Anxious about keeping a home clean and disinfected
• Wanting to live without the stress of Covid-19

We have the perfect product to give you peace of mind and to live Covid-19 free. Zoflora is a concentrated disinfectant proven to kill various viruses and bacteria, including Covid-19. It is perfectly safe for your home, kids, pets, and environment. You don’t have to be anxious anymore. You can now invite guests over, obviously keeping safe measures and protocol, but you can feel rest assured that surfaces and objects can be disinfected while still smelling fresh and well fragranced. Make this Women’s Month the start of a new and healthy normal. Not just for your mental health, but for your home too. Visit us and find your perfect scents suited just for your home and start connecting again! 

We wish you and all the lovely women in your life a beautiful, calm, peaceful, and healthy National Women’s Day, and remember self-care is how you take your power back!

For those who have no one to turn to or if you would like to speak to someone, there is always help! Get in touch with someone by clicking here. Your health matters to us.