This post is all about how to relieve stress as a working woman!
As working women, feeling stressed out is often almost an inevitable feeling. Stress shows its ugly little head in many different shapes and sizes and throws you a curveball when you least expect it. It is also linked to a variety pack of health issues ranging from obesity, heart disease, depression, etc.
Add working gal + kids to the mix and that’s a whole new level of stress!
Identifying Stress
When discussing working women and handling stress, I thought it was important to start by tapping into the different kinds of stress we feel on a regular basis. You can’t begin to solve a problem if you don’t know what that problem is, right?
I really relied heavily on my trusty girl gang for this post! Lucky for me, I am surrounded by the fiercest working women in the game! They range from all walks of life, with differing jobs, some have families, some are single mamas, and some are single ladies (cue Beyonce)! Despite the colorful crew I surround myself with, what they all have in common is that they experience stress and have found healthy ways to handle it.
When reaching out to my girl gang, I first asked them “What do you feel is your biggest stressor as a working woman?” I have broken the responses up between working women who do not have kids versus working women with kids just to see if there was a big difference. The responses are also ranked by their frequency.
Biggest Stressors for Working Women
- Finding a healthy balance between work, relationships, home responsibilities, friendships, and “me time”
- Toxic masculinity/sexism in the workplace* This response particularly bothers me as it was one of the top stressors of women who work in the forensic science field. As a woman who works in the forensic field, I can’t lie, it is one of my top stressors as well. The narrative needs to change but more on this topic in a later blog post.
- Trying to live up to expectations/having to prove yourself as a young working professional
- Time management
- Not being able to separate work from personal life
Biggest Stressors for Working Mamas
- Not having enough hours in the day (not having time to work, make dinner, do chores, be an active parent and wife, while still having “me time”)
- Missing key moments in child’s life/ Mom Guilt
- Being able to leave work at work
To the women reading this, do any of these stressors resonate with you? I hope you know that you are not alone with the stress you feel! Do not let anyone make you feel inadequate, less than, or weak just because you feel the way you do.
Ways to Alleviate Stress
Now that we have addressed some of the biggest stressors working women experience, it’s time to run through a great list of ways to alleviate it! These stress-relieving techniques were the most common answers from my lady gang! Maybe try one or try them all to see if any of these ideas will work for you! Be open-minded and patient with yourself.
Break a sweat
Working out was among the top ways my gal pals relieve stress. Whether it’s walking, running, practicing yoga, cycling, boxing, most women thrive on the power of movement. Not only is working out great for your overall health in general, but it also boosts endorphins which are the brain’s feel-good vibes we experience. Do what you can to try to squeeze in at least some kind of movement into your day!
If you are in the market to mix up your workout routine, check out my favorite fitness apps that I use at home!
Journal
Is there anything better than jotting down your deepest feelings knowing that they are completely safe within the pages of your journal? Your journal is probably the safest place to unload the stress, burdens, angry thoughts, etc of your everyday life. Test the waters by writing a few things down or following different journaling prompts. While you’re at it, write down three things you appreciate about yourself!
Relax/Practice Self-Care
Relaxing comes in many forms depending on the person. A hot bath with a bath bomb, painting your nails, getting a massage, diffusing essential oils are just a few of my lady gang’s favorite ways to relax and relieve stress.
Make a To-Do List
If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, make a to-do list. This is the first step in managing your stress. Organize your daily tasks in your planner or on your phone and tackle some of the easiest things first. The simple act of checking a to-do off your list is the most satisfying feeling. By providing yourself with a little structure, you are avoiding possible future stress.
Read
Taking a few minutes to an hour (maybe after the kiddos are in bed) to curl up with a good book is a great way to relieve stress. It is easy to get lost in the pages of a novel.
Listen to Music
There is nothing better than getting into your car after your workday and your hype song just so happens to be on the radio. TURN THAT RADIO UP GIRL! Dance at the stoplight. Sing your heart out. Maybe you are experiencing a stressful day at work? Pop your headphones in and put on your favorite Pandora station…it’s a nice escape from the work environment.
Meditate
Did you know that meditation triggers the body’s relaxation response? Meditation has become one of the most popular ways to relieve stress. While finding a comfortable position, allow your brain to focus on one thing while clearing the mind. Meditation can be part of your daily routine, something you try every now and again, or just when you are feeling super stressed out.
Embrace your Creativity
Think back to when you were younger…did you have a favorite creative hobby? Try tapping into that creative side again! This could look like painting, drawing, taking a pottery class, or even playing the piano. Grab an adult coloring book and some colored pencils and let the creative juices flow. Studies have shown that just 45 minutes of doing something creative lessens cortisol levels, a hormone that the body secretes to respond to stress. The more you know!
Enjoy a Cocktail
Ever hear the expression “Mama needs a drink!”…well people don’t just say it for shits and giggles. Sometimes a nice glass of wine at the end of a long day can really take the edge off. Is this the healthiest of coping mechanisms, probably not, however, it’s a candid, honest answer! A glass of wine has the ability to melt away the tiny stressors in your life.
If you are looking for a few cocktail ideas, check out my recipes for a few of my favorite cocktails!
Get out into Nature
Hike, bike, go for a walk, lay in a hammock, just enjoy some fresh air. There is something about being outside and sunshine that does a world of good for the soul.
Ask for Help
This technique is for all my control freaks out there…allow someone to help you. Delegate a few tasks. Ask a family member to watch your child for a few hours. Ask your significant other for help around the house. Give your coworkers more responsibilities. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CARRY ALL OF LIFE’S RESPONSIBILITIES BY YOURSELF…it will slowly break you!
Talk it Out
When in doubt, talk it out. I used to be (and still can be this way) someone who would bottle everything up inside because I didn’t want to burden anyone with how I was feeling. This negative coping skill led to giant blowups and burnouts…not cute. I am beyond lucky that I am surrounded by the most supportive co-workers, boyfriend, friends, and family who allow me the space to vent about what’s bothering me. So call up your bestie, your mom, or someone you love and trust because chances are you aren’t alone with how you are feeling.
While reading each woman’s candid response, it really made me appreciate my girlfriends even more. Each one of them has a unique story to tell and their vulnerability was really inspiring.
I hope after reading this post you will find a few ways to relieve your stress! If nothing else, just remember to show a little grace, support, and encouragement to your fellow working women out there…you have never walked a day in her heels.
