International Women's Day: Womens Health Matters

Story 108
Mar 8
3 min read

Updated: Mar 12

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements, resilience, and contributions to society but it is also an important reminder of something that is often overlooked - women’s health matters. As a health coach and yoga teacher, I work with many midlife women who are juggling responsibilities, careers, families, relationships and the invisible mental load of everyday life which often leaves little room for self care. Women often put their own health last.Yet when women prioritise their wellbeing, everything else benefits too.

Why Women’s Health Is Unique

Women’s bodies are dynamic and constantly evolving. Hormones influence everything from mood and metabolism to sleep, energy levels, and stress resilience.

Across different stages of life, women experience major physiological shifts including:

Menstrual cycles
Pregnancy and postpartum recovery
Perimenopause and menopause
Changes in bone density, metabolism, and cardiovascular health

Despite these natural transitions, many women have been taught to push through fatigue, ignore symptoms and keep performing every day. Real wellness comes from working with your body, not against it and listening to what needs nourishing and notice what is depleted.

The Role of Yoga in Supporting Women’s Health

Yoga offers a powerful tool for supporting women’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

Unlike high-intensity exercise that can sometimes add stress to an already overloaded system, yoga encourages connection, awareness, and balance.

Benefits of yoga for women’s health include:

Supporting hormone balance through stress reduction
Improving sleep quality
Reducing symptoms of PMS and menstrual discomfort
Strengthening the pelvic floor and core
Supporting mobility and bone health
Encouraging nervous system regulation

Most importantly, yoga creates space for women to slow down and reconnect with their bodies. Breath, movement, and mindfulness together create a practice that supports both physical health and emotional resilience.

The Importance of Rest and Nervous System Support

Modern life often pushes women into a constant state of productivity and pressure.

However, chronic stress has a direct impact on hormonal health. Elevated cortisol levels can affect sleep, digestion, mood, and menstrual health. Supporting women’s wellbeing often starts with something surprisingly simple: permission to rest. Restorative practices such as gentle yoga, breathwork, meditationand time in nature can help regulate the nervous system and bring the body back into balance. Rest is not a luxury — it’s a biological necessity.

Nourishment That Supports Hormonal Health

Nutrition plays a critical role in supporting women’s health.

Rather than restrictive dieting, women benefit from consistent, balanced nourishment that supports hormone production and stable energy levels.

Key principles include:

Eating enough protein and healthy fats
Including fibre-rich foods for gut and hormone health
Stabilising blood sugar through balanced meals
Staying hydrated
Supporting mineral intake, particularly iron, magnesium, and calcium

When combined with mindful movement and adequate rest, nutrition becomes a powerful foundation for long-term wellbeing.

Honouring Every Stage of a Woman’s Life

Women’s health needs change throughout life, and each phase deserves attention and care. From the first menstrual cycle to post-menopause, the body continues to adapt and evolve. Instead of viewing these changes as problems to fix, we can learn to see them as natural transitions that require different forms of support. By listening to our bodies and adjusting our habits, we create a more sustainable and compassionate approach to health.

A Gentle Reminder This International Women’s Day

Today take some time to check in and return to self

Ask yourself:

Have I been listening to my body?
Am I giving myself enough rest?
What small act of self-care could support my wellbeing today?

Sometimes the most powerful step toward better health is simply pausing and paying attention. When women feel supported, nourished and connected to their bodies, they they flourish. When women thrive, it ripples outward to those around them to family, friends, communities and the next generation including our future females we raise.