Blog

Nava Kumari Devi,

Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy

LokanayakOmeo Kumar Das College, Dhekiajuli,Sonitpur, Assam

Introduction:

In this world, a woman is both a mother and the creator of life. Whether educated or uneducated, employed or self-employed, a daily wage earner or a homemaker — every woman is a mother and the key person who efficiently manages her home. For a woman, home comes first, and her profession or workplace comes second.The mental and physical well-being of every woman on this earth depends largely on her home, the financial condition of the household, the environment of the family and society, as well as the pressures, obligations, and forms of exploitation she may face.The concept of mental well-being is dynamic and complex, and it varies among different groups. There are several aspects of women's differences from men's that together influence their mental health (Matud et al., 2019).

Hence, a healthy and harmonious home environment plays a crucial role in shaping a woman’s mental and emotional well-being. A woman’s role in the household does not depend merely on her personal likes or dislikes; rather, by performing her duties and responsibilities with understanding, intelligence, and dedication, she contributes to maintaining peace, order, and balance within the home. This in turn creates an atmosphere that supports the well-being and productivity of all family members.A man may provide all the necessary materials for a home, but it is the woman who, through her thoughtful and creative use of them, transforms a house into a beautiful and harmonious home. A woman is the giver of life, the nurturer of her children, their first teacher, and the shaper of their future. Moreover, with her innate tenderness and compassion, she not only nurtures her family but also contributes to building a healthy and peaceful society.

Healthy mental, physical, and academic growth in children depends on positive intra-parental relationships, parents' personality traits, and caring parental care in the home (Deb et al., 2015).However, a woman’s mental stability and physical health are closely linked to several factors — the availability of daily necessities, the financial condition of the family, access to proper nutrition, emotional support from family members, assistance from those she works with, mutual understanding among household members, and a healthy environment at home. Women's daily life and long-term health are greatly impacted by their psychological well-being (Srivastava K, 2012). Their psychological health is greatly impacted by cultural expectations and roles during marriage and parenthood, as well as pressures associated with education and careers during youth (Herrera et al., 2024).

When a woman’s mind is strong and her environment supportive, she can engage meaningfully in social work and contribute actively to the progress of society.From ancient times, brave, intelligent, creative, and determined women have fought against oppression and have worked for the welfare of their families, communities, nations, and the world. Their contributions have made them immortal in history, their stories recorded in books and traditions across ages.

This paper highlights the importance of women’s mental and physical well-being, along with examples of remarkable women — from the Vedic age to the present day — who, through their determination and resilience, have made significant contributions in various fields. Among them are Gargi, Maitreyi, Apala, Valentina Tereshkova, Sunita Williams, Sati Joymati, Kalpana Chawla, Marie Curie, Kanaklata, Mula Gabharu, AideuHandique, Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Mother Teresa, The Mother (Sri Aurobindo Ashram), Rajbala Das, Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Mary Kom, Lata Mangeshkar, Bachendri Pal, Junko Tabei, and Maria Corina Machado, among others.Today, women are excelling as Presidents, Chief Ministers, Finance Ministers, journalists, editors, athletes, and Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Therefore, merely thinking about women’s health and mental well-being in isolation is not enough.Women must consciously strive, with courage and determination, to create for themselves a positive environment and a balanced state of mind within their homes, so that they can freely and confidently contribute to society, the nation, and the world. By doing so, women become role models who not only strengthen themselves but also inspire and uplift others.This paper seeks to explore how women can develop a healthy mind and body, and how through their well-being, they can promote the overall welfare of family, society, and humanity as a whole.

Objectives:

1. This article discusses how to build and maintain a woman’s mental and physical well-being.

2. It highlights the importance of home, environment, and society in ensuring the mental and physical health of women.

Methodology:

This paper has been prepared using a descriptive method based on various experiences and real-life instances obtained from different sources — such as mass media including television, YouTube videos, newspapers, and literary works. It draws upon reports of incidents involving women, their contributions and discoveries for the welfare of home, environment, society, nation, and the world, as well as their responsibilities and roles in addressing social issues within different communities.

Discussion:

In the discussion section of this paper, special emphasis has been placed on the key factors that contribute to women’s mental stability and overall well-being.

1) The Spiritual Aspect:

Generally, women are seen participating devotedly in household worship, community prayer gatherings, and temple rituals. Through such activities, a sense of devotion towards God may arise in their hearts, but this alone may not lead to a true understanding of divine truth. Therefore, women should study sacred religious texts to fill their minds with spiritual knowledge. A person enriched with spiritual wisdom always possesses a pure, peaceful, compassionate, courageous, and tolerant mind. Hence, the spiritual aspect is essential for maintaining women’s mental stability and overall well-being.

2) Mutual Understanding Between Husband and Wife, Divorce, and Extramarital Relationships:

After marriage, a woman becomes someone’s wife, daughter-in-law, aunt, or sister-in-law. Later, she becomes a mother after the birth of her child. As both a mother and a daughter-in-law, she is often responsible for managing all household affairs efficiently. A woman can endure every challenge and fulfill her domestic duties cheerfully if she receives emotional support and understanding from her husband. However, if she faces constant criticism and disrespect from her family members and lacks her husband’s mental support, she may become emotionally vulnerable, leading to possibilities of separation or extramarital involvement. In today’s society, where both men and women are equally educated and independent, such issues are increasingly evident. Thus, a woman’s mental peace and well-being largely depend on her husband’s attitude and emotional cooperation.

3) The Impact of Dowry on Women’s Mental and Physical Health:

In the modern era, people have become highly materialistic. Even after educating their daughters, parents often worry about dowry during marriage. Despite being educated, many families still give importance to dowry. Educated parents understand how much effort and money are spent on a daughter’s education, but relatives and society often fail to recognize this. As a result, parents feel compelled to offer dowry despite facing financial hardship. Furthermore, today’s society places excessive importance on wealth and luxury, which can never truly satisfy the human mind. Often, even after giving dowry, in-laws make comparisons with others and criticize the bride. Such behavior deeply hurts a woman’s mind, affecting her mental and physical health. Therefore, if family members stop discussing dowry and learn to live harmoniously and contentedly, a woman’s mental stability and well-being can be preserved.

4) Joint Family, Harmony, and Mutual Understanding:

Raising children in a joint family is often easier, as everyone contributes to their upbringing. Moreover, one can attend to outside responsibilities with peace of mind by entrusting others with household duties. However, conflicts may arise when some family members are employed while others are not. In such cases, the unemployed woman often faces criticism, leading to mental distress and, eventually, physical health issues due to stress and worry. Hence, to maintain mental and physical well-being, a woman should engage in some productive work to achieve financial independence and mental satisfaction. A woman’s overall well-being in a family depends on mutual love, understanding, emotional support, sharing of responsibilities, and cooperation among family members during times of need.

5) The Aspect of Essential Facilities:

A woman’s mental stability and physical well-being largely depend on the availability of basic amenities in the household—such as access to clean water, proper sanitation, a well-maintained kitchen, domestic help, nutritious food, and other necessary facilities. If these essential amenities are lacking at home, a woman’s mental peace and health are directly affected. Therefore, it is necessary that every home ensures at least these basic facilities to support the well-being of women.

6) Healthy Mind and Good Health Depend on a Woman’s Mind and Actions:

Since ancient times, women have made remarkable contributions in various spheres of life. In earlier days, women did not have access to modern facilities such as mobile phones, scientific tools, or mass media. Yet, they fought bravely against economic hardships and social injustice, selflessly dedicating themselves to the welfare of society and the nation.In the present day, with the help of government schemes and social support, middle-class families now enjoy access to housing, drinking water, gas connections, toilets, food supplies, and special welfare programs such as Orunodoi and Mukhyamantri  Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan  for women. Hence, it is difficult to imagine that women from such families could still remain mentally disturbed or emotionally unstable when such basic necessities are fulfilled.Today, irrespective of class or education—whether rich or poor, literate or illiterate—almost every woman owns a mobile phone and actively participates in digital platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even engages in online transactions, shopping, video making, and creating reels. However, the truth remains that a woman’s true mental health and happiness do not depend on these digital activities. Therefore, it can be said that a woman’s good health and peaceful mind depend on her positive thinking, self-awareness, and good deeds. Ultimately, every woman has the power to build her own mental strength and well-being—no one else can create it for her.

7) Improvement of Mental and Physical Health through Medical Science and Yogic Practices:

In the modern age, most childbirths take place through surgical procedures. In such cases, mothers require long periods of rest and must refrain from performing strenuous tasks. However, due to the shortage of domestic help and the increasing responsibilities of middle-class families, most women are compelled to manage all household duties along with childcare. Consequently, the excessive workload leads to mental stress, which gradually affects both their emotional well-being and physical health.Nowadays, we tend to consult doctors and depend heavily on medicines for even minor physical ailments. Yet, excessive use of medication often causes damage to various organs of the body — something we seldom realize.If we can adopt the Ashtanga Yoga philosophy of Maharshi Patanjali — consisting of Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi — we can truly attain sound mental and physical health.Yama includes five moral principles: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).Similarly, Niyama comprises Shaucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline), Swadhyaya (self-study), and Ishwar Pranidhana (devotion to God).Together with Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, these eight limbs form the complete path of Yoga.Today, various instructional videos on YouTube demonstrate how to practice Yoga and chanting of the sacred Om sound to achieve mental peace and physical well-being. Therefore, if women give less importance to medicine and place greater emphasis on regular Yoga practice, their mental tranquility and physical health will surely flourish.

8) The Mother’s Mental Well-being in Relation to Her Child:

In almost every family, parents — particularly mothers — are deeply concerned about their children. Some worry if they have only sons and no daughters, or vice versa, while others become anxious when they are unable to conceive for several years after marriage, sometimes leading to adoption.Such varied circumstances create different emotional states and mental conditions among mothers. Therefore, a woman’s mental health and emotional balance are often influenced by her thoughts, worries, and family discussions concerning her children.

9) Participation in Social Activities:

Human beings are intelligent and rational by nature. Hence, both men and women should be mindful of what is right and wrong in their actions. Today, as education has become widespread, most individuals are well aware of moral and social values. Yet, in many cases, people engage in gossip, criticism, and negative discussions that hurt others’ feelings and self-respect — leading to harmful outcomes.It is important that women receive respect and dignity within the family. At the same time, they should remain conscious of their own character and social responsibilities.Apart from efficiently managing the household, if women participate in various social activities — such as literary gatherings, cultural meetings, and community events — they become more socially aware and connected. This engagement helps them harmonize with the larger society, ultimately enhancing their mental peace and overall well-being.In the modern age, no woman wishes to live in confinement like a prisoner within her own home. Therefore, every family member should understand the emotional needs of women and encourage them to take part in social activities. Through such participation, women can play meaningful roles in society, which contributes greatly to their mental and physical wellness.

10) Avoiding Gossip and Cultivating Reading and Writing Habits:

Books are a person’s truest and most intimate friends. Those who cultivate the habit of reading and writing seldom indulge in idle gossip or criticism of others, as they find joy and fulfillment in intellectual pursuits.Although we all know that gossip and slander are harmful, many still find them entertaining. However, if women, amidst their household, professional, and social responsibilities, can make time for reading and writing, they will enrich themselves with vast knowledge. This not only brings inner peace and mental satisfaction but also contributes to maintaining good physical health and vitality.

11) Women’s Mental Health and Well-being Depend on Smartness and Technical Skills:

The present era is the age of digital technology. With the rapid spread of education, the number of educated individuals has greatly increased. Therefore, every woman—regardless of her occupation or background—needs to acquire digital literacy and technical skills, without which she may face difficulties in daily life. Today, almost every sector—banks, post offices, business establishments, government offices, railways, and airlines—operates online.Nowadays, many women drive scooters or cars to take their children to school, go to the market, or commute to work. Through laptops and computers, they teach their children to draw, type, complete projects, and prepare practical files. They also handle their own written work, emails, and file documentation efficiently. This technical skill not only saves time but also helps in reducing unseen educational expenses at home.Hence, the more technically skilled and capable a woman is, the more courageous, enthusiastic, and creative she becomes. Such a woman naturally develops a healthy mind and body, leading to overall well-being.

We all know that, to address women’s issues and rights, the first International Women’s Conference was organized in 1908 by the Social Democratic Women’s Organization of New York, under the leadership of German socialist leader Clara Zetkin. Later, in 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, inviting all nations to celebrate it annually. Following the International Women’s Year (1977), this day gained global recognition. The origin of this day can be traced back to the early 20th-century labor movements, which marked the beginning of women’s struggle for equal rights and recognition in society. Since then, International Women’s Day has been observed every year on March 8 to honor women’s contributions in all walks of life.In truth, anyone who fails to respect women from the depth of the heart may achieve external success, but will remain deprived of inner peace, joy, and spiritual contentment. Therefore, when both men and women learn to respect each other equally, it leads not only to the mental and physical well-being of women, but also to that of men. Together, they create a beautiful and harmonious world.

Findings:

Based on the discussion of the key factors related to women’s health and hygiene, the major findings are summarized as follows:

1. Women’s Determination and Achievement:

At present, India’s President is a woman, and the Indian women’s cricket team has won the 2025 World Cup. These examples show that when a person possesses an indomitable will to achieve something, they can overcome all hardships and attain success in life. After achieving success, a woman’s mind becomes balanced and healthy — and a healthy mind, in turn, brings good physical health.

2. The Power of Engagement and Activity:

The more women remain engaged in different fields of work, the more alert, conscious, and lively they become. These qualities contribute not only to a sound mind but also to a healthy body.

3. Women in the Digital Era:

We now live in a digital age. Therefore, the more skilled women become in digital and technological fields, the more they enhance both their mental and physical well-being. Today, whether educated or not, almost everyone relies on online platforms for most forms of work — making digital literacy essential for mental growth and confidence.

4. The Nurturing Nature of Women:

Every woman possesses the innate quality of compassion. When she expresses her loving and respectful nature towards her family and lives harmoniously with everyone, her mind remains peaceful and healthy. A peaceful mind naturally brings good health and happiness.

5. Mutual Understanding in Family Life:

There is a great difference between merely speaking about harmony and actually practicing it in daily life. When both husband and wife share mutual respect and understanding, it results in a beautiful, balanced family life. In such a relationship, both the woman and the man enjoy mental peace and physical well-being.

6. Women’s Role in Social Well-being:

Women should take an active part in community and social work because their efforts are often organized, neat, and methodical. Tasks performed with discipline and care are always more successful. When a woman overcomes challenges and engages herself in social service, she not only contributes to others’ welfare but also attains mental happiness and good health herself.

7. Yoga and Mental Wellness:

To maintain both mental and physical health, women should include yoga and pranayama as part of their daily routine. Regular practice of yoga and breathing exercises acts as a natural physician, removing symptoms of illness and keeping the mind calm and focused through meditation. As a result, the woman’s mind remains healthy — and a healthy mind inevitably brings a healthy body.

Conclusion:

In this world, a woman can be a mother, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, aunt, or grandmother—she plays countless roles in the fabric of family and society. A woman is the foundation of every home. To maintain her mental stability and physical well-being, a woman should strive to be courageous, active, creative, self-reliant, empathetic, and broad-minded.She should be compassionate, patient, devoted to meaningful work, and free from gossip and jealousy. It is desirable for women to be engaged in writing, artistic expression, spiritual and social awareness, and to keep themselves informed about world events through television, mobile phones, and other media. By developing inner knowledge and wisdom, and by fostering love, understanding, and unity among family members, a woman can beautifully guide her household through any challenge.

A woman’s sense of responsibility and inner awareness enable her to solve domestic problems wisely. In modern times, women are increasingly taking active roles in diverse fields—creating videos and reels, engaging in online transactions, working as journalists, editors, television presenters, actresses, or participating in theatre and cinema. Many married and unmarried women also work courageously at petrol pumps, hotels, and transportation services, driving tractors, e-rickshaws, and other vehicles to support their families.We must understand that life’s challenges are like mountains, but those who believe in doing something meaningful never give up. For them, every problem becomes an opportunity for growth.A shining example of this spirit is Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami, who, despite being widowed, remained resilient, disciplined, and dedicated to her literary and social work. Her life stands as a symbol of inspiration and strength for all women. Thus, this discussion presents a few essential insights into how a woman’s mental health and well-being depend on her technical skill, confidence, creativity, and inner awareness—qualities that make her not only strong but also radiant with peace and happiness.

References

1. Matud MP, López‑Curbelo M, Fortes D. Gender and psychological well‑being. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:3531.
2. Deb S, McGirr K, Bhattacharya B, Sun J (2015) Role of Home Environment, Parental Care, Parents’ Personality and Their Relationship to Adolescent Mental Health. J Psychol Psychother 5: 223. doi:10.4172/2161-0487.1000223
3. Srivastava K. Women and mental health: Psychosocial perspective. Industrial Psychiatry Journal. 2012;21(1):1-3. DOI: 10.4103/0972-6748.110938
4. Delgado-Herrera M, Aceves-Gómez AC, Reyes-Aguilar A. Relationship between gender roles, motherhood beliefs and mental health. PLoS One. 2024;19(3):e0298750. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298750