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!