How to overcome stress?
Overcome stress before it starts impacting you. Stress and burnout are at higher levels than they’ve ever been. Burnout, in particular, is at epidemic levels. The World Health Organisation is calling it an “occupational phenomenon”. They define it as:
“…. a syndrome conceptualised as a resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, its women who are more prone to suffer from stress and burnout, particularly those 25 to 45. Mostly, because women are trying to juggle running a home and family, alongside working. We’ve fought for decades for equality in the workplace but maybe it’s been to our own detriment? Certainly, the figures would suggest so.
According to the Health & Safety Executive report published in October 2019, per 100,000 people in UK, 2390 women 25 – 34 were suffering from stress, anxiety and depression, compared to 1630 men. And in the 35 – 44 age group, 2410 women compared to 1640 men.
Why we need to learn to overcome stress?
The highest levels of stress are found in professionals, with health and social care workers, teachers and public service personnel the worst. 42% state that their work is a contributor to their stress. 26% state relationships. Over-all, 44% of reported ill-health is due to work related stress!
I think you’ll agree, these figures are shocking! These figures have been on the increase over the past few years.
So, what’s the problem? Why is this happening? Why should people learn to overcome stress?
I believe us women have, in general, bitten off more than we can chew. While it’s wonderful that we have more equality, we simply cannot do it all, despite the fact we often think we’re wonder-women and CAN do it all. But we’re doing it to the detriment of our health. So you need to learn how to overcome stress.
We’re juggling too many balls, spinning too many plates. We aren’t switching off. We aren’t sleeping well and so lack energy and feel exhausted. Work is no longer the 9 – 5 it used to be and there is less balance in our lives. That’s why you need to know how to overcome stress.
Because of technology, which can be amazing, we are able to access emails, surf the net, spend time watching other people on social media 24hrs a day. And sadly, many of us don’t have screen-free time at all day and night. Our poor brains are being constantly bombarded with information and can’t switch off. This is why it has become increasingly more important to learn to overcome stress.
We often hear people talking of work-life balance. But I think the balance has been lost and has tipped in favour of work. Not life. We are no longer taking time for ourselves, to sit quietly and read a book. Or go for a walk and just listen to the birds singing. How often do you go for a walk and take your phone with you? If you know how to overcome stress, you can continue to stay calm in life.
I bet you’re often talking on the phone or listening to music or a podcast. When was the last time you noticed the countryside around you? Took in the colours, the smells, the sounds? And, when was the last time you read a book that you got completely absorbed in that you couldn’t put it down?
We need to switch off, slow down and get more balance back in our lives and this is important to overcome stress. If you don’t have balance in your life, your health will suffer. Trust me!
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If you’re like I was and want to learn to overcome stress, thinking you’re also wonder-woman, you’ll continue to think you CAN do it all. That is until something happens. Something that will make you sit up and take stock of what’s important. I learned the hard way. I pushed myself to the point of burn out and breakdown. I kept telling myself I HAD to do it. I had bills to
pay after all. But what if something really serious had happened? Well, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this blog.
So, if you’re feeling tired ALL the time. If you’re not sleeping well. If you’re having more negative thoughts than positive. If you’re generally not happy in your life, then it’s time to make some lifestyle changes. Get balance back in your life. Get back happiness. Feel more fulfilled.
Does it sound complicated? Making change is yucky! None of us LIKE change. But it isn’t difficult – it’s simple.
Remember, health is a matter of balance. So, if you’d like to get more balance back in your life, click this link and I’ll share some Simple Tips to help you reduce stress and burn out so you feel happier and healthier.
If you’d like to know more about how I can help you claim back your life and avoid future stress and burnout, then contact me to arrange a FREE discovery call, on petra@petraerving.co.uk
