The many health benefits of being a woman

It’s no secret that women tend to live longer than men, and this longevity often leads to more enjoyable years spent with loved ones, as well as the opportunity to pass on wisdom and knowledge to younger generations. So what are some of the reasons that women live longer? Here are just 10 of the many health benefits of being a woman

Mental Health

Mental illness can strike men and women, but symptoms tend to manifest differently in each gender. For example, according to an American Psychological Association survey , women are twice as likely as men to experience depression in their lifetime. On the other hand, men are nearly three times more likely than women to develop substance-abuse problems. When mental illness does strike, it’s important for both sexes to seek help—but sometimes that’s easier said than done.

Physical Health

It’s no secret that men and women are different, especially when it comes to physical health. However, there are some ways in which our bodies are fundamentally similar. In fact, research has shown that both men and women can benefit from following certain lifestyle choices and paying attention to their well-being. Read on for tips on staying healthy as a woman.

Heart Health

As women, we tend to worry about heart disease more than other conditions, but it actually claims more lives per year than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease is much more prevalent in men, however; four times as many men as women die from heart attacks every year. Women are less likely to die suddenly from heart attacks because our bodies don’t produce as much testosterone and estrogen. These two hormones make platelets stickier and arteries less flexible, increasing your risk for heart attack.

Preventing Disease

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes—as women, we are at an increased risk for all these diseases. Thankfully, we can combat these illnesses by monitoring our diets and incorporating fitness into our daily routines. Stay healthy by watching what you eat and working out 3–4 times per week. Your body will thank you!

Prevent Cancer

It is well-documented that men are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from cancer than women. The reason for that is estrogen, which plays an important role in promoting healthy cells. Men’s bodies produce less estrogen than women’s, which means they have less protection against cancer-causing cells.

Happiness and Longevity

Women are happy and live longer than men. Now, that’s something to celebrate! That’s because women tend to enjoy life more than men. They generally don’t do things just for themselves but think about how others feel as well and show consideration for those around them. At some point, it could be argued that these caring instincts can actually save lives since they keep women healthier and alive longer.

Lower Stress Levels

Women tend to be more in tune with their emotions than men, and it’s no surprise that stress levels play a big role in our overall wellness. A little bit of stress is actually good for us, but when stress begins to dominate your life—and you feel nothing but anxiety day in and day out—it’s time to take action. Try these simple steps and start enjoying all of your newfound energy

Protection Against Injury and Infection

The uterus is one of nature’s strongest, most protective barriers against infection. Its position between our legs helps to keep bacteria and other harmful invaders out of our bodies. In fact, before humans evolved on land, we lived in water, where our amniotic fluid protected us until we could crawl onto land as newborns.

Help in Labor, Pregnancy, Postpartum Recovery and Breastfeeding

No, you can’t train for childbirth. It’s best to let your body be your guide and allow it to do what is natural. However, knowing how things work can help. Learning about labor and delivery can help you to know what is going on with your body when you are in those last weeks of pregnancy; plus it may provide comfort as well. Knowing how breastfeeding works will hopefully encourage you to feed your baby breast milk for at least six months after his or her birth.