Women's Mental Wellness with Dr. Aninda Sidhana

What does it truly mean to be mentally well in today’s world? In a time when mental health conversations often focus on diagnoses and disorders, it's equally important to spotlight the tools and mindsets that help us thrive—resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness.

In a powerful conversation with psychiatrist & psychosexual medicine specialist, Dr. Aninda Sidhana, we explored a more compassionate and expansive approach to mental wellbeing. Rooted in the principles of positive psychology and lived experience, her insights invite us to reframe how we think about mental health, not as a clinical destination, but as a lifelong practice of tuning into ourselves and finding strength through everyday self-care.

Rethinking Mental Health: Beyond Labels and Diagnoses

"Normality is a myth," Dr. Aninda emphasized early on. She challenged the conventional notion that mood fluctuations or emotional struggles must always be labeled as disorders. Instead, she advocated for a broader, more inclusive approach that focuses on promoting mental wellness rather than pathologizing everyday emotional shifts. Her words echoed a simple yet powerful truth: not every low mood is a diagnosis, and not every challenge requires a label.

The Power of Positive Psychology

Positive psychology shifts our focus toward what makes life worth living. Gratitude, journaling, and self-love—these aren’t just buzzwords; they’re tools for building resilience and joy. Dr. Aninda stressed that when we constantly talk about anxiety and depression, we may inadvertently reinforce those patterns. By choosing to highlight emotional strength, self-care, and support systems, we invite people into a more hopeful and proactive mindset.

Emotional Intelligence Over IQ

One of the standout points of the conversation was the emphasis on emotional intelligence—or EQ—as a far more crucial life skill than traditional intelligence metrics like IQ. “Even if you have high IQ,” Dr. Aninda said, “but you lack emotional intelligence, you cannot navigate life meaningfully.”

EQ involves identifying your emotions, understanding their root causes (including hormonal or cyclical changes), and managing them effectively. This awareness becomes particularly powerful when integrated into daily life through mood tracking, breathing exercises, journaling, or even scheduling something joyful like a solo coffee date during emotionally vulnerable days.

Navigating Life’s Transitions with Awareness

From puberty to adulthood, marriage, and beyond, every life phase comes with emotional shifts. Dr. Aninda shared how both men and women experience these transitions, and how we can support each other better through understanding and communication. Childhood experiences, societal expectations, and life changes all contribute to our emotional wellbeing, and it’s through resilience and awareness that we can move forward.

The Importance of Support Systems

Healing is rarely a solo journey. Dr. Aninda emphasized the role of social networks—family, friends, and positive colleagues—as critical to emotional health. “Every slap can turn into a clap,” she shared, highlighting her own journey of transformation and the importance of surrounding oneself with uplifting, non-judgmental support.

Becoming the Queen of Your Own Life

In a beautifully metaphorical moment, Dr. Aninda likened the HealCycle app to the storyline of the film Queen, where the protagonist embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reclaiming her life after a painful life event. With features like mood tracking, cycle awareness, and journaling prompts, HealCycle becomes a companion in your healing journey, helping you navigate difficult days with grace and insight.

Takeaways That Matter

This conversation was not just a dialogue but an invitation to reflect on how we view ourselves, how we treat our emotions, and how we as women care for our mental wellbeing every day. We were reminded that mental health isn’t just about crises and disorders; it’s about daily choices, small acts of care, and the people we surround ourselves with. Through emotional intelligence, body acceptance, strong community support, and consistent self-reflection, we can all learn to heal from within.

Watch the full webinar here:
https://youtu.be/TVgTywa1a8A?feature=shared 

And if you’re looking for a tool to guide you through this journey—one that understands your patterns, supports your moods, and keeps you mindful—download the HealCycle app. Because healing begins when awareness meets action.