Women in the workplace have to face the same stressors at work as their male counterparts. At the same time, they have to deal with various gender biases. They have to find a way to break through career barriers that just aren’t there for men. All the while, they’re balancing their work life and home life.
Is Work Worth the Stress It Causes?
The price women pay for greater quantifiable success, more independence, and higher self-esteem is often more stress or at least a different kind of stress. Women can overcome stress, however, and thrive both at work and at home.
Here are some of the ways to do it.
1. The transition from Worrying to Problem-Solving
You may have heard that worrying solves nothing, and that’s true. How can you stop worrying? Learn to manage your thoughts. Practicing meditation can help you notice negative thoughts and let them pass from your consciousness.
Then, fresh from your meditation moments, your mind works more efficiently. The answers come more easily. When you take a problem-solving approach to the challenges ahead you can deal with the crisis rather than succumb to it. If you can’t do anything about it, let the thought pass for now.
2. Stay Physically Active
Physical activity, especially during leisure time, has been associated with stress-reduction in several different studies of children, adolescents, and working adults. In one study, the greatest stress-reduction was for those who exercised moderately.
It helps to stay active all day long, too. Stretch or do chair exercises at your desk. Or, get a standing desk or a treadmill desk. Take all that advice you’ve been meaning to take, like using the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
3. Set Limits
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in handling the multiple roles required of you at work and at home. Many women have trouble saying “no.” When you say “yes” every time someone asks you to do something, you can quickly get overloaded with work. Know your limitations. It doesn’t mean you’re any less competent, caring, or capable. It only means you aren’t superhuman.
4. Learn Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques include a wide range of options, including deep breathing, getting a massage, and doing a leisure activity you enjoy. You can also learn progressive muscle relaxation and other relaxation techniques from a trained practitioner.
5. Stay Healthy
Make sure you eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. When your body is healthy, mental stress affects you less.
6. Seek Advice
Getting advice from someone you respect can make a major difference in the way you handle stress. Look for a mentor who can give you career-specific advice. You can also check out free resources such as BetterHelp — they have a multitude of different articles that could help you handle your stress.
7. Do Something for Someone Else
Make time in your schedule for helping others that you aren’t required to help. Whether it’s volunteering at a food bank once a month or stopping by to visit an older person in a nursing home, it helps to get outside your own world. People who do things for others are happier, more relaxed, and live more balanced lives. They also have less stress.
In association with BetterHelp.
BetterHelp is the world’s largest e‑counseling platform.
