How to honor Women’s Health Month: 7 ways to show your support

Apr 13

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

Want to get involved in Women’s Health Month? From community activities and online campaigns to ways to care for your own health, these 7 tips have you covered.

Raise your hand if you wish you were doing more for your health. (Our hands are raised, too.) Being healthy is a great goal, but finding the time, energy, and mental space to do it can be a challenge. That’s part of what makes Women’s Health Month—observed each May—feel especially meaningful. It’s a chance to check in with your health and make time for some TLC.

While Women’s Health Month has roots in public health advocacy, it also reflects something a lot of women feel in their everyday lives. Many women still face real barriers to care, whether that means having symptoms brushed off, struggling to get support, or carrying so much of the caregiving load that their own needs come last. These can all make it hard to give your health the attention it needs.

Let’s explore the meaning of Women’s Health Month, why it matters, and a few simple ways to observe it. That might look like finally booking an appointment you’ve been putting off, or just going for a walk or cooking a nourishing dinner. All healthy choices count.

What is Women's Health Month?

Women's Health Month is a national awareness campaign that’s held every May in the United States. It was created by the Office on Women's Health to encourage women to prioritize their health and to shine a light on the health challenges they face. It usually falls during the same week as Mother's Day.

Women's Health Month pushes for better care, fairer systems, and a culture that takes women's health seriously at every stage of life, not just during an annual checkup. That includes mental health, reproductive health, heart health, and everyday stress.

Women's Health Month is a great time to check in with yourself:

What areas of your health need a little attention?
Are there any screenings or doctor’s appointments you’ve been avoiding?
How can you take a few small steps to feel healthier?

Why women’s health often gets overlooked

Women's health has a long history of being pushed aside or ignored. For decades, most clinical trials only included men. Conditions that mostly affect women, like autoimmune diseases and chronic pain, were also historically underfunded and understudied for years. That research gap still affects the care women get today.

There's also the everyday reality that women are more likely to skip or delay medical care because of cost, time, or caregiving duties.

When it comes to mental health, women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They also experience depression at higher rates due to hormonal changes throughout life, like puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. All of which can affect mental and physical health.

7 ways to celebrate Women's Health Month

There's no single right way to mark the month of May. You might choose to focus on your own health, or, if your health feels strong, encourage a loved one or family member who needs care. Here are a few ways you can start.

1. Book that appointment you've been putting off

Whether it's a checkup, a mammogram, a dental visit, or a chat with a therapist, May is a good nudge to schedule an appointment to better your health.

Many clinics even offer reduced-cost events during the month. Remember, there’s no need to try to schedule every appointment in a short period of time. Start small with one, and then check in with yourself and see how it feels.

If doctor appointments cause anxiety due to medical gaslighting or not being listened to, take a friend or partner with you to ensure you are properly heard.

2. Move in a way that feels good

Many women are still unlearning harmful messages received from diet culture, so eating healthy and exercising can feel like punishment, rather than a natural enhancement to their lives. Women's Health Month is a good moment to rethink what movement means for you and reframe it as something you enjoy.

A 20-minute walk, a yoga class, or dancing in your kitchen all count. The goal is to find something you actually enjoy and want to keep doing.

💙 Move your body and calm your mind when you Walk Away Stress with Dr. Eric López, Ph.D. on Calm.

3. Take your mental health seriously

We live in a culture that values hustling, so it’s easy (and sometimes encouraged) to burn yourself out. May is the perfect time to reassess your mental wellness and make changes to better your own health.

Research has shown that regular mindfulness practice improves anxiety, depression, and pain. So if your mental health needs a boost, try a simple practice like 4–7–8 breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale slowly for 8. Repeat three times. It takes under two minutes and can help ease stress in the moment.

💙 Feeling overwhelmed? Pause to Breathe with Prof. Megan Reitz on the Calm app.

4. Join a local health event

Gyms, yoga studios, libraries, and community centers often run Women's Health Month events. You might join a local event to celebrate.

You could also try a new class at your local gym or check out a walking group that meets at your local park. If there's nothing near you, invite a few friends to do something healthy together, like a nature walk, or even stretching outside on yoga mats.

5. Make sleep a priority

Sleep is often the first thing women sacrifice, but it matters more than most people think. Women are more likely than men to struggle with insomnia, especially during hormonal shifts. To combat this, try creating a regular wind-down time period or leaving your phone outside the bedroom when it’s time to get ready for bed.

Fill your evening routine with relaxing activities you love, like a hot shower, a cup of herbal tea, or a few chapters in your favorite book. It also helps to go to bed and wake up at the same time, even on weekends.

💙 Soften Into Sleep tonight with this meditation led by Chibs Okereke on the Calm app.

6. Spread the word

Word of mouth is one of the fastest ways to share this month's important messages. Phone a friend, text them this blog link, share a resource on social media, or share a personal story with people you love. Any addition adds to a wider conversation.

If you need a resource, the Office on Women's Health and womenshealth.gov share ready-to-use content each May.

7. Support a women's health organization

Donating to groups that advocate for women's health is the most direct way to help. This includes organizations focused on maternal health, reproductive rights, mental health access, and more equitable health care systems.

Explore organizations like:

Postpartum Support International, which supports families dealing with perinatal mental health challenges, including postpartum depression and anxiety.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance, which works to improve maternal health outcomes and advance birth justice for Black women and birthing people.
Society for Women's Health Research, which advocates for more equitable medical research and a better understanding of how conditions affect women differently.

Women's Health Month FAQs

Why was Women's Health Month started?

Women's Health Month grew out of a need for women's health advocacy efforts in the United States. It was established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to encourage women to prioritize their health and to address the disparities women face in accessing equitable care.

The campaign reflects decades of advocacy by researchers, clinicians, and public health leaders who recognized that women's health had been systematically deprioritized in research, policy, and clinical practice. Raising awareness can create momentum towards real change.

What are simple ways to support women's mental and physical health?

Getting consistent sleep, moving your body in ways you genuinely enjoy, maintaining social connections, and making space for stress management, whether through mindfulness, therapy, or community support, are all simple ways to contribute to your health.

On the physical side, keep up with preventive care appointments and be honest with your doctor about symptoms, including the ones that feel embarrassing or minor.

When is Women's Mental Health Month?

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States, which means there's a meaningful overlap with Women's Health Month. Women's mental health, including anxiety, depression, postpartum mental health, and the psychological effects of hormonal changes, is a core part of the broader Women's Health Month conversation.

Many advocates and healthcare providers treat the two observances as complementary rather than separate. May is a great time for women to take a pause and take care of their needs, both physical and mental.

How can I celebrate Women's Health Month in a meaningful way?

To celebrate Women’s Health Month, try to schedule a health appointment you've been putting off, have a real conversation with a friend about how you're both doing, share a resource on social media, or donate to an organization you believe in.

You can also take a few minutes this month to reflect on what your body and mind actually need right now, rather than what you think you should need, or what you think you can put off or avoid in favor of caring for others.

How can workplaces support Women's Health Month?

Workplaces can support Women's Health Month in both structural and cultural ways. On the structural side, this means ensuring that mental health benefits are clearly communicated, that flexible scheduling is available for medical appointments, and that parental and menstrual health policies are equitable and accessible.

Culturally, it means creating space for honest conversations about well-being, inviting speakers or health professionals to share relevant information, and normalizing the idea that health is a legitimate workplace concern rather than a personal problem to be managed privately.

Why is women's health awareness important?

Women's health awareness matters because women have historically been underrepresented in medical and clinical research. They are more likely to have their symptoms dismissed or misdiagnosed, and face unique health challenges across the lifespan that aren't always adequately addressed.

Awareness campaigns help shift public understanding, encourage women to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings, and put pressure on systems to do better. None of that happens without sustained attention.

What if I feel overwhelmed by my health goals?

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by goals and health goals are no exception. If the idea of improving your health feels like another thing on an already impossible list, it's a sign that you're probably carrying too much right now.

The most useful thing you can do in that moment isn't to add a goal. It's about being honest with yourself about what's taking up your energy and whether there's support you haven't yet asked for. Take some time to check in with yourself about what you really need and start there.

Calm your mind. Change your life.

Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.

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Calm Editorial Team