 Is Stress a Big Issue for You? Join the discussion — share your story Stress in the workplace. Stress at home. Stress. Stress. Stress. Seems like by now we’d have figured out a way to alleviate stress in our lives ... but studies show that many people, especially women, are suffering from higher levels of stress than ever before. According to international lifestyle redesign and well-being coach Jennifer Wright, “Research shows that women in relationships do greater than 60% of household maintenance and childcare. Divorced and single women, living alone, more than likely have 80-100% of childcare responsibilities as well as household chores.” The result: women simply don’t spend enough time taking care of their own needs. Life gets out of balance — and stress ensues. Men vs. Women: When It Comes to Stress, There Are Differences Alice Domar, PhD, director of the Mind/Body Center for Women’s Health at Boston IVF, explains, “Women ... report having more to worry about each day. Men on average worried about three things on a daily basis (their immediate family, job, and money). Women worried about up to 12 things, including their immediate family, job, and money, but also their extended family, the home, the social and academic lives of the children, social connections with neighbors and friends, and more ...” Share Your Stories of Stress ... and Your Tips for Stress Relief! SHARE:
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“Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.” – Janis Joplin
“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.” – Beverly Sills
“If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.” – Virginia Woolf
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Your Responses:
Sometimes you think you aren't worrying about the job,home,spouse or even thinking about continuing your education at 60; than you take your BP and it's elevated and your heart rate is up. Nothing you ate. Nothing working on you today. How do you deal with things you can't "see" or "work" with that causes your stress. How do you deal with a boss that maybe the stress factor and there's no way around HER. That seems like a stress you can't stop and how do you continue to live with it 3-4 days a week. I am a single mother of 5 and work a full time job and pastor. 4 out of the five are grown with families of their own and 1 in high school but they still need to come home to mom etc. What has helped me is to post signs. On my job I have signs posted around me which reads: MANAGING STRESS: DON'T PANIC. Too my surprise others are coming into my area just to read the signs and then smile or say thank you. But they are unaware that I'm smiling and saying thank you everday to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to remain SANE!!!! I work full time and my husband and I have three married children and six grandchildren. I worry about all of them. And, how can a man walk past dirt and not see it???? At work when people keep making the same mistakes - I write it down and keep what I write and let it go. Apply the 5 minute, 5 year rule. If I still need to do something 5 minutes from now-start now. Will you remember this 5 years from now-stop what you are doing-worrying about it makes no sense. It is a present to you because the need is to focus on the PRESENT! Bikram yoga has been incredibly helpful for managing stress for me. 90 minute meditation AND workout at the same time. I leave feeling energized, breathing more deeply, and with a clear mind. One major thing that people can do is start teaching their boys that it is NOT just a girl's place to cook, clean, take care of the kids. Men are capable of doing these things just as well as we do, but refuse to and we allow it to happen. Also, we need to stress more to our girls the importance of education and not stress so much on finding a man, getting married and having children. Forgiving myself and then others for being human started me down the road to less stress in my life. It took 56 years and the raising of 5 children as as single parent to figure it out but I am at peace most of the time now. I gave up worry for Lent one year, and that really worked for me - when you find yourself worrying, say the word "STOP" to interrupt the cycle. Cuts it way down to a manageable level. I have learned several techniques to manage short and long term stress. To manage short term, I search for laughter. To manage long term, I exercise for better health. I also identify what is within my control and keep positive people around me. Woman are in general more stressed than men. I was stressed as a single mom and stressed as a married woman. The only thing that helps is my calling on the Lord and gettinghelp from him I know all about stress and seem to stay that way - even though my family preaches to stop worrying about things i cannot control. Its hard to do - I worry so much that I create constant health problems for myself. I really would love to find away to relax and shut the brain off once in awhile. Purposely set a time and place to
detach and focus on God each day.
Also make a decision to let go of one activity and feel okay about it. Often we worry about things that we have no control over. Work on the things we can control and turn the rest over to God to handle. I'm stressful at home and work. Even sometimes when I go to church I am stressful too. A lot of things at work and at home. When I went through my separation & divorce, I had so many emotions that caused stress...I started a "Dear God" journal where I wrote my feelings out no matter how angry, sad or upset I was...who else could help you more? I have been using a simple form of meditation. Five minutes per day, find a quiet spot (laundry room, guest room) to sit quietly and watch your breath. Thoughts will come & go, but I just return to your breath. Then, you can use this strategy while waiting in lines, in the dentist chair, or at work. It's important to remember the old airplane rule, "if the cabin loses pressure, put the oxygen mask on YOURSELF first, then on children". If we can't take care of ourselves, we can't take care of anyone or anything else about which we care. It's hard! Yoga classes, meditation (even five minutes a day has benefits), bubble baths, meeting a friend for coffee ... all these things help! I too am going through a seperation with my husband. I am stressed all the time I feel. I have even been in the hospital for 5 days because of the stress. I decided to make time for myself. I love what Janis Joplin said on the right..don't compromise yourself, You are all you've got! I think as women we need to do that. While going through a divorce I learned the importance of making time for me - even if it was a little time. I started my own traditions and tried not to worry about how I fit in with the expectations of friends and family who might not understand my needs I often feel guilty for taking time out for myself. After all, there are so many other things that I should to be doing. Stress has become the "norm" for many women. I think we've nearly forgotten what it is like to take care of ourselves. |
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