Self-silencing is making women sick

Plus more health news | Email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [Health Matters]( [Self-silencing is making women sick]( By Angela Haupt Editor, Health and Wellness Even though I’m well aware of women’s health risks, my eyes popped out of my head when I took in these stats: Women worldwide account for almost 80% of autoimmune disease cases, and are at higher risk of suffering from ailments like chronic pain, insomnia, and migraines. We're twice as likely as men to die after a heart attack. And we experience depression, anxiety, and PTSD at twice the rate of men. In a new piece for TIME, psychologist Maytal Eyal explores why women are falling ill to these diseases so much more frequently. "It seems that the very virtues our culture rewards in women—agreeability, extreme selflessness, and suppression of anger,” she writes, “may predispose us to chronic illness and disease.” In other words, women self-silence, rarely expressing their anger or needs. It can be challenging to overcome these tendencies, especially in a society that celebrates them. But there are strategies that can make a meaningful difference, Eyal says: looking at emotions as windows of insight that teach us about our needs, and setting boundaries that can help our relationships become stronger and healthier. [READ MORE]( Share This Story What Else to Read [Rock Climbing Is a Thrill. It’s Also Really Good for You]( By Angela Haupt It exercises the brain and the body. [Read More »]( [PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Are Turning Up in Menstrual Products. Here’s What You Need to Know]( By Jeffrey Kluger PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," have been detected in tampons, pads, period underwear, and more. Experts worry about health risks. [Read More »]( [How Alternative Medicine Can Help People With Asthma]( By Markham Heid Mind-body therapies such as yoga and breath training are popular among those with severe asthma, though evidence is mixed. [Read More »]( [Do Massages Have Real Health Benefits?]( By Markham Heid The perks of a good massage are more than skin deep. (Originally published in 2018.) [Read More »]( [8 Ways to Read More Books—And Why You Should]( By Angela Haupt Start small, track your books, experiment with different formats, and seek out community. [Read More »]( AN EXPERT VOICE "People work better when they have great people and support around them." —Sian Beilock, cognitive scientist and president of Dartmouth If you were forwarded this and want to sign up to receive it daily, [click here](. Today's newsletter was written by Angela Haupt and Jamie Ducharme, and edited by Elijah Wolfson and Angela. [Want more from TIME? Sign up for our other newsletters.]( [Subscribe to TIME]( TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Connect with TIME via [Facebook]( | [Twitter]( | [Newsletters]( [UNSUBSCRIBE]( [PRIVACY POLICY]( [YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS]( TIME Customer Service, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 Questions? Contact health@time.com Copyright © 2023 TIME USA, LLC. All rights reserved.