| Women
and Workplace Stress: It's More than the Job!
by Jennifer Wright |
It’s
More than the Job: Women and Workplace Stress!
Stress in the workplace has become a
occupational health and safety risk worldwide,
including the U.S. Debate centers around who
is responsible for illness related to stress
if the workplace is contributing. Research
shows that a majority of work-related stress
is borne out of attrition and the requirement
for more in less time by employees. Our own
culture of speed, convenience, and instant
gratification also drives our stress
reactions.
Is women’s workplace stress different than
that of men’s?
Since stress, by definition, is the body’s
response physiologically and psychologically
to a “dangerous situation”, it stands to
reason that what is perceived as dangerous in
the work place is very individual. Research
shows that women’s stress in the workplace
is related more to lack of balance and demands
of home and work combined, and men’s
workplace stress related more to the job.
Research also 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 the household chores. Consequently, women
are likely to have obstacles finding time for
their own stress reducing self-care. Women are
more likely to arrive to work, stressed before
their workplace demands begin.
Perceived locus of control is one area proven
to be a predictor of stress. Therefore a woman
working in an environment with little
flexibility or choice would be a greater risk
of distress than a climate of no-voice. Would
it stand to reason that women therefore, that
women with their own businesses would be less
stressed than those working for someone else?
Interestingly, women’s stress issues do not
vary significantly. Women are multi-taskers by
nature and enfold tasks within tasks. Work,
family and home are not separate and the
issues around balance prevail regardless of
working for yourself or someone else. Women
who own their own business have the same
childcare and home issues as their sisters who
are working for someone else. However, women,
working in their own business are likely to be
pursuing a passion and adopt a mindset that
allows a positive attitude.
So, what some ways that woman can reduce work
place stress?
1.Recognize that stress is a killer and not to
be taken lightly.
Stress related illnesses are the leading cause
of death and disability in women today.
Recognition is the first step in any change
process.
2.Take real breaks from work.
If your business requires that you be on the
job at “normal” lunch times or other break
times, make sure that you find time at other
times in the day. Studies show that small
breaks actually increase our efficiency, so
you really can “afford” it. Walking
outside can work wonders. Have a pair of
walking shoes on site.
3.What, in your work environment, are you
“tolerating” and allowing for on-going
stress?
Cluttered space, equipment that needs
repaired, lack of organization, tasks that
need to be delegated, noise level,
ergonomically unhealthy workplaces, and any
number of other tolerations are worth the
effort to resolve.
4.Communicating cleanly and assertively is a
great way to reduce stress by addressing
boundaries, expectations and needs in the
workplace.
Women, many times, communicate on an emotional
level. Unfortunately, with this sort of
communication, the real message is lost in the
feeling versus the doing.
5.Caffeine, by its very nature, causes a
physiological stress response.
How much coffee or high caffeine soft drinks
do you consume at work? Take steps to reduce
or cut out caffeine all together. Increase
your water intake.
6.Eat a good breakfast.
Studies show that eating breakfast is one of
the healthiest habits we can adopt. Our bodies
and brain has been without carbohydrate fuel
for 12 hours or more. Time to fill up.
Smoothies are great ways to get a great boost
on the go. Yogurt, fruit, juice and a blender
and you can start your day with protein, good
carbohydrate, calcium and vitamins. Add some
linseeds/flaxseeds and you have fiber and
phytoestrogens too. All are significant for
women’s good health!
7.Ideas you might like to try at the work
place for stress reduction.
Calming oils of floral scents (rose, vanilla,
lavender and nutmeg), a tennis ball to roll
back and forth under the ball of your foot,
and massage an acupressure calm point in the
area of the hand between the index finger and
thumb.
8.Self-care outside the workplace is of
paramount importance for women.
Adequate sleep provides our bodies with
chemical balancing and healing at a cellular
level. Find out what needs to “give” to
get you to bed for 7-8 hrs of sleep. Eating a
diet of real food (limit or eliminate
additives and chemicals) that fuels our bodies
gives us a reserve to run on during stressful
time. Exercise, though hard to timetable in
our packed schedules is a great stress
reducer.
9.Learn ways to relax that are meaningful for
you.
This might seem like an obvious, overused,
token suggestion. Most women do not really
know how to relax. We have been so programmed
to look after everything and everyone else.
This feeling of responsibility carries over
into our work as well. Learning what is
relaxing to you is worth the effort. Turn off
the T.V. Call a friend. Listen to some
relaxing music. Commit to picking up an
interest from the past, even if you do it in
small steps. Time taken for pleasure will pay
off in the long run in work efficiency.
10.Do not stress about reducing stress and
make it “another stress”.
Pay attention to you body’s response to
situations. What is your self talk? Make an
effort to take deep breaths and change
on-going negative talk to positive.
Workplace stress through our legislations is
becoming an issue for which employers must
take notice. However, the current lean
operations of business, which is the one of
the contextual issues cited for today’s
stress, will not go away. For those of us who
run our own businesses, we are our own
employers. As women, we need to discern what
is work stress. As women, we need to
acknowledge what we can do for ourselves to
reduce stress. We need to remember that old
saying, if you don’t look after yourself, no
one else will. Honour your self!
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| About
the Author |
| I
am a author, teacher, public speaker,
international telephone and email wellness and
lifestyle redesign coach. I co-create with
outrageous and great women over the age of 40.
I have a M.S. in Occupational Therapy. Visit
me at www.WrightDirection.net for a free
eCourse Magic7 Wellness. |
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