Social modernization has brought with it a great impact on women’s role shifting it from a traditional to a modern one. Earlier women were submissive, depending, as well as child bearing. On one hand, nowadays women are more and more given equal rights, sovereignty, and heavy career responsibilities. On the other hand, this phenomenon exposed women to a major stress, which is obliging them to handle two different roles simultaneously, that of a housewife and that of their career. Indeed, this latter external stress could be the cause of another internal one, which is the reaction of women to this sudden increase in work load. If the demands seem many and the resources seem few, they will feel stressed, thinking that there is no way to cope, or that there is far too much to do. Therefore, since too much stress will lead to no where but to a counter productive performance, the following are different helpful steps that modern women could make use when under stressful situations.
Before moving on to discuss the techniques, there are two cautionary notes that we need to consider. Primarily, one needs to make sure that the chosen solutions are beneficial on the long, as well as short term. Secondly, the daily amount of coffee intake should be highly minimized. In fact, too much caffeine won’t be considered one of the stress relieving sources. But instead it will lead to insomnia, as well as feelings of headaches.
Those who are not able to get their stress under control, the following five steps could be really helpful. The first step is always the most difficult one, as it requires the person, regardless of how pressured he feels to stop and think. This will eventually help him to put things in perspective, as well as plan for the next move. The person should seek it as a chance to begin assessing his level of stress. This could be done by assessing the four main aspects of his life, work, play, health and relationships, to see whether or not they are equally important to him? or if some are more important than others? He should also examine the aspects of his life to identify the ones which he devote most time and energy, and see whether or not it fulfills what matters to him.
Second, one should make use of priorities to guide small decisions, like how to spend the evening, as well as big ones, like changing jobs. If one knows what is vital to him, it becomes easier to cut losses when stress builds to high levels. Once one has thought about the basics and the priorities, one should start by dealing with the effects of stress. One can relieve himself from the extra strain by writing things down such as diaries. The person should take proper breaks for meal refreshments, exercise and on weekends. Need to learn to stop before one is completely worn out. Always try to face difficulties. Not only that, but also it is often best to start with the least favorite task, or hardest, task first. As stated earlier need to find out whether or not the way you spend your time accord with your values and goals. As a matter of fact, keeping values and priorities clear in mind makes all these latter techniques easier.
Third, since stress is cumulative, it is advisable to start dealing with small problems. Need to identify all the stresses, and start finding out which stress can be reduced.
Fourth, as stated earlier stress comes from two major sources, an outside, as well as an inside one which is the way people see the world, or their attitudes that they developed in their childhood, from their authority figures, as well as through their experiences. Not all attitudes have the same impact, some of them such as “I will do as much as I can in the allowed time, have a positive one in that they help in taking the pressure off. While others like “I have to get this done” have a negative effect in that they increase the burden. That it is why it is worth examining attitudes and to look for alternatives that will create less pressure.
Fifth, when under stress one tends to ignore his health, as well as put his relationship under strain. This sets up a vicious cycle because poor health and poor relationships then add to stress. It is important, therefore, to focus not only directly on the stresses but also to look after one’s health and relationships. Indeed, regularity is the key. One needs regular meals, as well as exercises. Surprisingly perhaps when you are stressed is more invigorating than exhausting, and often leaves the person with more energy than he started with. Despite the fact that it improves one’s physical state, but it also marks an important shift in attitude, away from neglect and toward caring for oneself.
To conclude, being stressed adds its own pressures. To prevent being caught up in the vicious cycle of stress, which leads to even higher levels of stress, one need to rest in order to renew his energy, to specialize some time for recreation for pleasure and fulfillment, and last but not least ensure to develop relationships as a source of support and perspective.