Studies have proven that working women experience higher stress than men. There is also evidence that women are more likely to bring work-related stress at home than their partners. The reason behind is that women’s responsibilities do not end at the workplace. It’s quite normal for men to grab a can of beer and relax in the sofa while watching TV once they get home from work, but most women still have to finish a lot of household chores such as prepare dinner and take care of the kids after office. While there’s nothing wrong with multitasking, women who put too much pressure on themselves by doing too many things at a time have a chance to snap and succumb to severe stress.
The thing with stress is that it can be a silent killer. Most experts agree that stress is the root of most chronic disease known to man, and when left unchecked, it can lead to several health problems such as obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and many more. Not only does stress affect a woman’s health but also her time with her family. When pressured by a deadline or a presentation, a mother will usually end up giving all her time to work. In this kind of situation, she loses quality time that should otherwise have been spent with her children. And when she gives little priority to her chores such as preparing a healthy meal for her family, it is the latter that suffers.
Stress can also affect a woman’s mood. Upon arriving from work, she might either be too tired physically or grumpy that she couldn’t enjoy time with her husband and kids anymore. Some mothers might try to fight stress, but more often than not, they are the one who lose the battle. So what does a working mother do to manage her stress load and be the woman that she ought to be – to her husband and children?
When it comes to managing work-related stress, the first key is to leave your work at the office. This may be easier said than done especially since most women have the tendency to play superwoman and try to finish everything at a time. However, the same way that you don’t bring your household chores to the office, so should you not bring your paperwork at home. Whether you’re single or married, you should consider going home as a reward for a long day at the office and not an extension of it.
If you know how to set your priorities, you should have no problem dealing with stress at all. “There is a time for everything”, as the old proverb goes. There is no point spending all your energy into office work if it’s going to give you a heart attack in the end. Your company can easily replace you if you die, but to your family, there is no one out there who can take your place. It is simply not wise to pour out your efforts into something that is not stable as your career, and it’s never worth it in the long run. Therefore, focus your time and energy to spending time with your family and consider your career only as second priority. The more you are happy with your family life, the healthier you become, and the more productive you will be in the workplace. It’s not the other way around.
Making time for yourself is also a good way for a working mother to beat stress. Each day, set aside even just an hour doing something you love – on your own. It could be going the spa, getting a facial or a manicure, or even reading a good book. And when your “me” time is over, engage in some relaxing activities with your family like strolling in the park, playing in your backyard, or just enjoying a good movie. The key is to keep your mind off work and just enjoy.
Finally, do your best to stay healthy by living a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you get eight hours of sleep every night. A good night’s sleep is enough to work magic for a tired mind. It also helps you become more productive in the workplace. In the same manner, see to it that you load up with nutritious food so that you’ll have the energy you need to face the day ahead.
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