Stress is one of the biggest dilemmas we are all faced with in the modern world. Our lives have become increasingly fast-paced and filled with duties and responsibilities. This seems to have doubled at least for women since the last century because women are shouldering dual responsibilities at home and the workplace. Many women in Pakistan and around the world are the breadwinners of the family, some are single or divorced mothers, running their homes, taking care of children, tending to ageing sick parents while working full-time or part-time jobs to make ends meet and pay the bills. All of this combined, can take a serious toll on a woman’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Many working women are constantly stressed out and facing burn out. So how can working women reduce stress and continue with their regimen? Here are 5 tips for working women to reduce stress.
Daily Silent Meditation
Stress is a silent killer which can slowly eat us up. Many working women are constantly running on auto pilot mode without even being aware of all the stress which is burdening and weighing them down. This stress can, however manifest itself in many ways, either through aches and pains which are unexplainable, a lowered immune system making us more prone to constant illnesses or other indications in physical health which are basically the body’s natural alarm systems going off, telling us that something is not right, something needs to be fixed within us and we need to slow down before it destroys us completely. Sometimes all that stress can lead to not only unexplainable fatigue but also mood changes and abrupt emotional mood swings or unexplainable aggressive episodes because we are just so stressed or burnt out. Small daily practices can help working women de-stress and make it slightly better to cope with all the burden weighing them down. Take 30 minutes every day to sit in silent meditation. One of the best ways to do this is either alone in your room as you sit on the floor or bed with your eyes closed, lights dimmed out and a scented candle in the room. Let the thoughts come and go, stay silent and focus on your breathing. As the thoughts come one by one, let go of them. Sit in silent meditation for 30 minutes every day and notice how you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated, ready to face the world. Silent meditations can also be done outside in a park or your very own garden or any quiet corner of your home. This is one of the best ways to de-stress and relax for everyone.
Monthly Spa Day
Take the time out for a monthly spa day. Make sure to treat yourself. Remember that you can never give from an empty vessel. In order for you as a woman to fulfill all your duties and responsibilities and be truly able to give to all your loved ones and 100% at your workplace, you need to focus on self-care. A monthly Spa Day where you spend 4-5 hours just pampering yourself will help you truly de-stress and get relaxed. Get a full body massage, a luxurious herbal facial, a manicure and pedicure and other treatments like a hot oil head massage to help you relax. Aroma therapy is a great way to relax and reduce stress. Ensure your own physical, mental and emotional well-being by treating yourself at the spa at least once a month. Mark your calendar and take time out for yourself so you can get rid of all that stress from your back, neck and feet with a great massage at the spa. Spending time at the spa is a great way for all working women to reduce stress.
Weekly Nature Walk
We as humans, are meant to live in close proximity to nature. Only by living in harmony with the habitat around us can we truly become at peace. Unfortunately the fast paced modern life has taken us away from nature as many of us tend to live in concrete jungles with little connection and contact with nature. Most of us don’t even stop by to look at a blossoming tree or a blooming flower. Spending time with nature, being close to trees, rivers, the sea, mountains, the butterflies and birds can help us rebuild our connection with nature and bring us joy and peace. We are all from the earth and we return to earth. One of the best ways to reduce stress is to spend time outdoors, outside, in nature. A weekly nature walk where you can get fresh air, sunlight and devour the beauty and magnificence of the green trees will reduce that stress and scintillate all 5 senses to make you relaxed. So make sure to go out and smell the fresh air, smell the flowers, get some sunlight, look at the beautiful trees and flowers, and touch the grass, notice your stress reducing and fading away. Weekly nature walks will surely do wonders for all working women to reduce stress.
Remember to Laugh
Make sure to surround yourself with people who you can laugh with. Life can be full of responsibilities, worries and duties. All working women need to have a great friends circle that they can laugh with and enjoy once a while. A daily dose of laughter can help you reduce stress. This can be in the form of watching a comedy, looking at memes or talking to friends who lighten up your mood. Laughing is a great way to reduce stress so make this part of your daily routine.
Cut Out the Unnecessary
Take time out to completely re-evaluate and reassess your life. Many times, we overcommit and become burdened by all the unnecessary tasks we have taken up that do not connect with our soul and are bringing us absolutely no benefits at all in any way, be it material, mental or emotional. If it is not benefiting you in any way and is instead causing you stress, cut it out. Learn to say No. It is okay to politely refuse and tell people that you cannot do everything demanded of you. Don’t burden yourself or take on extra work at home or the workplace which will increase your stress. Reduce the things in your life which are causing you stress. For every woman this might vary, for some it could be a cluttered room, for others it might be unnecessary chores and tasks which bring no value to their lives.
Remember, you are all you have, so look at all the ways that you can reduce your stress and make things easier and better for yourself.
