Strategies for women to achieve a better work-life balance
The latest studies undertaken by Mental Health UK show that women are stressed. They are more likely to experience psychological distress than men, with merely one in four women workers struggling to manage stress and pressure at work.
What’s more, only 44% of them are confident that their employer has a plan in place to prevent burnout. One of the reasons for this phenomenon is that in the face of tension, men tend to dissociate, while women tend to internalize stress.
Interestingly, the number one source of stress cited by women was the delicate balance between complying with family responsibilities and trying to advance or maintain a standard of excellence in their careers.
Being part of the sandwich generation
There is a second issue that is making life for women in their 40s and above more challenging: forming part of the “sandwich generation,” comprising people who are caring for their children and parents at the same time.
Women caring for older adults and children can feel overwhelmed by having to undertake a myriad of tasks for both groups – including driving them to appointments, cooking, cleanliness and hygiene needs, and more. As such, these women’s health may suffer, and they may begin neglecting their own needs.
Forming a strong network
One of the most important means of battling stress and achieving a better work-life balance is to form a strong network, since doing so can reduce both physical and mental strain. Both women and men are often reluctant to seek social support, but doing so is vital to overcome the sense of being misunderstood and alone in one’s struggles.
Moreover, study after study has shown that one of the most helpful strategies women can adopt is being part of a community. Initiatives such as taking turns babysitting and relying on trusted friends and family members can help women overcome the feeling of loneliness in one’s struggle.
Seeking professional help for loved ones
Aid by no means should be limited to free sources. Women caring for their older parents and children, for instance, can opt for respite care – a form of short-term care that is usually provided by the hour or day. Respite care can be provided at a day center or at home, with carers carrying out tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and accompanying the elderly.
This way, loved ones have the time to work, rest, travel, or connect with other family members and friends. Respite care is an ideal solution for those with parents who do not have high care needs. For elderly parents with a higher level of needs (for instance, those who are unable to bathe alone and those with dementia or other cognitive issues), aged care homes may be a better choice, as they typically provide specialist care.
In these facilities, clients are offered a wide range of services that can include physiotherapy, mental therapies, hobbies, and entertainment. Most have medical staff on-hand to deal with emergencies as they arise.
Opting for therapy
Therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be helpful for women struggling with depression and anxiety. Many women fear reaching out because they feel that therapy will only eat up into their already depleted time availability. What’s more, therapy can be costly.
It is vital to destigmatize seeking help and boost awareness about what therapy involves. In reality, the course of CBT treatment can involve between six and 20 sessions, each lasting just 30 to 60 minutes. However, these therapies provide vital practical skills that women can apply in their daily lives.
The sessions can be focused on how to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Therapists can teach clients how to deal with stressful emotions and thoughts when they arise, and show them how to establish a detailed self-care plan that includes pursuing better sleep, a nutritious diet, and daily physical activity.
As is the case for many women across the globe, women in the UK are experiencing increasing levels of stress. One of the main causes of this malaise is the challenge of balancing work and family life. In order to stay afloat, women can consider seeking help from their loved ones, opt for gold-standard therapies for themselves, and embrace a self-care routine that encompasses quality sleep, nutritious food, and social interaction.
