#CelebrateingtheRainbow at the workplace – share your stories of Pride!
Women’s lives face a special brand of stress due to our constant multi-tasking of multiple roles. Here is how to manage stress better.
Women’s lives face a special brand of stress due to our constant multi-tasking of multiple roles. Here are some ways to cope.
Life makes many demands on the average woman: juggling family, work, scores of commitments on a daily basis. It might seem like every other day – of course – but the reality of it all is that it can be exceptionally stressful for the ones living it. In a day and age where speed is of essence almost all of the time, multitasking is but imperative.
Women have adopted many new roles (and that’s great), but the old roles haven’t let go yet. Research shows that working women still continue to do a disproportionate amount of work at home as well. Between running a home and keeping up with the demands of a full-fledged career, not to mention making time for herself, for ageing parents, for friends…it can be stressful, to put it mildly.
Whether it is the underlying cultural norms or the practical pressures of daily life, the demand on women to be multi-taskers is incredibly high. While studies show that women are more naturally inclined to be multi-taskers, it also tells more on their own well-being.
When this pressure becomes overwhelming, it is not surprising that we become anxious, nervous, irritable, even physically ill, and find the pressures of deadline overwhelming.
As a first step, there are interventions we can make in our own lives to deal with stress better. Here are some things that could help.
Often, we compare ourselves to others doing XYZ and feel stressed because we can only do X, and not Y. However, the key is not to look at only how much one can do, but how well you do the things you undertake. Feeling good about the quality of the things you accomplish makes a big difference to your stress levels.
What are your time-wasters? Do you check your Facebook every 10 minutes? Remove the app from your phone. Does your team spend a lot of time in meetings unnecessarily? Talk to the team and work on reducing this time. Cutting down on time-wasters helps you accomplish much more of your major tasks. Some time-wasters (such as waiting for your kids outside their art class) cannot be avoided, but you could use that time to work on minor tasks such as answering email on the go.
Imagine that you met a friend who is extremely tired and ready to drop dead. Would you tell this friend to take some rest, or berate her for not doing more? The first option, right? Then why do we berate ourselves all the time? Don’t you deserve the same kindness that you show others? Your foremost duty to yourself is self-care and self-nurture. Regardless of what work you do, where you work or how much your days are packed, give yourself some time and care. Me-time is one of the most important routes to recharge and return to a state of comfort and good health, mentally and physically.
Who is the one go-to friend ready to lend you a shoulder and offer sensible advice? Every woman needs that one friend who will not only listen, but also offer you sensible advice and a sense of direction when you need it most.
If stress becomes debilitating, then perhaps there is a deeper issue you need to address. In such situations seeking help from the right kind of expert at the right time will help put things in perspective.
Today, the good thing is that as a society, we are gradually becoming more open to seeking help – in some situations, within our friend or family circle, and if necessary, from a professionals too.
If you or someone you know is looking for help, visit seekspark.com a behavioural well-being platform that offers services to enable people with convenience, access and effective care. The platform offers a neutral, comforting and healthy space to speak freely to experts and professional caregivers, from the comfort of your home.
SeekSpark’s over 200 empaneled experts can provide consultation on a wide range of general and behavioural issues ranging from relationships, career, anxiety, boredom, trauma, to depression, phobias, disorders etc. You can book an appointment at www.seekspark.com or call them at +91 9650811114.
This post is supported by SeekSpark.com
Image of a woman via Shutterstock
Founder & Chief Editor of Women's Web, Aparna believes in the power of ideas and conversations to create change. She has been writing since she was ten. In another life, she used to be read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Can you believe this bloke compelled me to wear only saris - full time at home- till the eighth month of my pregnancy?! The excessive heat coupled with humidity made my life miserable.
Recently when I browsed an interesting post by a fellow author on this very forum I had a sense of déjà vu. She describes the absolutely unnecessary hullabaloo over ladies donning nighties and /or dupatta –less suits.
I wish to narrate how I was in dire straits so far wearing a ‘nightie’ was concerned.
I lived in my ultra orthodox sasural under constant surveillance of two moral guardians (read Taliban) in the shape of the husband’s mom and dad. The mom was unschooled and dim-witted while the dad was a medical practitioner. But he out-Heroded the Herod in orthodoxy.
My supervisor introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.
As a transwoman navigating the corporate world, I had encountered my fair share of discrimination and challenges. Transitioning without the support of my parents and having limited friendships in my personal life made the journey difficult and lonely. However, when I stepped into the office, something remarkable happened, I left behind the stress and negativity, embracing a space where I could truly be myself.
Joining the marketing team as a graphic designer, I was initially apprehensive about how my colleagues would react to my gender identity. But to my surprise, the atmosphere was welcoming and respectful from day one. My supervisor, Sarah, introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.
As I settled into my role, I discovered that my colleagues went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and included. They consistently used my correct name and pronouns, creating an environment where I could be authentically me. Being an introvert, making friends wasn’t always easy for me, but within this workplace, I found a supportive community that embraced me for who I truly am. The workplace became a haven where I could escape the stresses of my personal life and focus on my professional growth.
Please enter your email address