Stress at work is a global issue, but it can frequently feel unbearable for women in demanding positions. The burden placed on women in the modern Indian workplace to balance work and family obligations is frequently unspoken but constant, making stress a daily battle that goes unacknowledged.
Chronic stress, worry, and even burnout can occur due to juggling personal obligations, cultural expectations, and the particular difficulties faced in professions dominated by men with regard to one's work goals. In India, where customary responsibilities frequently introduce additional complexity, it is vital to adeptly handle stress in order to preserve one's mental and physical well-being.
The development of technology and the availability of services like online counselling has given women more access to stress management resources. This blog will discuss women's experiences with work-related stress, particularly in high-pressure settings, and offer practical solutions for effective management. We will also discuss how online counselling, particularly through providers like Rocket Health India, can significantly lessen this tension.
Understanding Work-Related Stress Among Women
Stress is increased for women in high-pressure positions because they encounter unique hurdles.The constant pressure to achieve, lead, and excel can be emotionally and physically taxing for those in corporate leadership, healthcare, finance, or technology. Women also have to deal with "invisible burdens," such social expectations that demand excellence at work and at home. Working women's anxiety is a major source of stress, particularly when they have to manage both their personal and professional lives (Salari et al., 2020). Workplace stress has an impact not just on output but also on relationships with others, mental wellness, and overall health.
In a research conducted on female call centre workers in Mumbai, it was discovered that almost four-fifths of the participants experienced negative health effects from working at night. The most common health issue mentioned was musculoskeletal illnesses (83%), which were followed by voice-related issues (72%), digestive problems (63%), and ear-related issues (44%) (Sekher, 2018). Stress levels may be further exacerbated for women by gender bias, unequal remuneration, and a lack of support in leadership positions.
It's critical now more than ever to recognize and manage work-related stress since more and more Indian women are joining the workforce, particularly in high-demand industries like IT, finance, and healthcare. Burnout is a syndrome marked by emotional tiredness, diminished performance, and a lack of personal accomplishment that can result from unmanaged stress. This emphasises the necessity of having practical coping mechanisms to handle and control job stress.
Steps to Handle Work-Related Stress
1. Define boundaries between your personal and professional lives.
Drawing distinct lines between your personal and professional lives is one of the best strategies to handle stress at work. It's easy for work to intrude into personal time with the development of remote work and flexible scheduling. Women sometimes find themselves working late into the night or on the weekends, especially in high-pressure jobs.
Tip: Establish a strict work schedule and follow it. Make sure you turn off any work-related emails or phone calls when your workday is over. It also frees up time for leisure and lessens the stress of constantly being "on call."
2. Prioritize Self-Care
Many women have a tendency to overlook self-care, especially those who work in stressful jobs. But preserving your mental health depends on making time for yourself. Exercises like yoga, meditation, or even just reading a book can provide the required mental respite. A study found that practising mindfulness meditation can help working women feel less stressed (Vaghela et al., 2019).
Tip: Set aside time each day to engage in enjoyable hobbies, mindfulness meditation, or physical activity for at least half an hour. This will ease your mind and lessen your stress.
3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Sustaining a good diet and sleep schedule is crucial for high-pressure working women to manage stress and remain productive. In addition to its effects on personal health, insufficient sleep has been connected to detrimental consequences at work, such as decreased productivity (Streatfeild et al., 2021). To enhance the quality of your sleep, prioritise sticking to a regular sleep schedule of 7 to 9 hours each night and creating a calming nighttime ritual.
Tip: Limit your screen time and caffeine before bed. To maintain energy levels throughout the day, concentrate on eating balanced meals that include lots of veggies, lean proteins, and healthy grains. Small, frequent meals might help you stay focused and avoid energy slumps.
4. Seek Assistance From Mentors and Colleagues
It's crucial to get help while dealing with job stress. Women can overcome obstacles more effectively in the job if they have a support network. To lessen the pressures associated with work, mentors and colleagues can provide guidance, emotional support, and occasionally workable solutions.
Tip: Create encouraging networks with other female employees or members of your sector. Exchange stories and get insight from one another's coping mechanisms.
5. Delegation and Time Management
Adequate time management can lessen the overpowering sense that high-pressure jobs frequently bring. In leadership positions specifically, delegation is essential. Stress levels rise in women because they frequently feel compelled to take on more than they can manage.
Tip: Divide up your work into doable chunks and assign tasks when you can. To better organise your day, use tools like time-management applications or planners.
6. Stress Management via Online Therapy
Since online therapy has become more popular, therapy has proven to be an efficient way to manage stress for a long time. Due to their busy schedules, women in high-pressure occupations may find it difficult to see therapists in person. It is simpler to handle mental health concerns without interfering with everyday routines when online therapy is used since it offers privacy and flexibility.
Tip: If tension starts to overtake you, get expert assistance. You may customise your needs and schedule for online therapy sessions with services like Rocket Health India. You can enhance your general emotional resilience, regulate stress triggers, and acquire coping skills with the use of online therapy.
Why Online Therapy is Beneficial for Managing Stress
1. Easy access and adaptability
Online therapy fits into your schedule, which is one of its main benefits. It might be difficult to find time for conventional therapy when working under pressure. You can meet with a professional online at lunch breaks, after work, or even on the weekends.
2. Comfort and Anonymity
Many women find it easier to ask for help since online therapy provides a private, secure space for them to talk about their problems. The anonymity of online platforms can reduce the stigma associated with receiving mental health care, which will encourage more women to do so.
3. Customised Advice from Experts
Trained therapists with a focus on job stress, anxiety, and burnout are available through online therapy services like Rocket Health India. To assist women in better managing their mental health, they can provide them with emotional support, tailored coping mechanisms, and guidance on striking a work-life balance.
How Rocket Health India Can Help You Manage Work Stress
For women who work in high-pressure occupations, Rocket Health India offers a range of online therapy services. They provide individualised mental health care with a team of licensed counsellors and therapists to help you manage work-related stress. How Rocket Health India may assist is as follows:
1. Expert Assistance Anytime, Anywhere
Online therapy sessions that are convenient and fit into your hectic schedule are provided by Rocket Health India. Their flexible options make mental health treatment available at any time, whether you need a fast session to help manage stress after a difficult day or frequent therapy to address long-term difficulties.
2. Economical and Confidential Services
Everyone should have access to mental health services. Rocket Health India provides cost-effective therapy sessions that uphold the utmost levels of privacy and confidentiality. This is particularly crucial for women who might be reluctant to talk honestly about how stressed out they are at work.
3. Therapy That Is Culturally Relevant
The therapists are aware of the particular challenges faced by Indian women, such as the added stress caused by cultural and societal expectations. Rocket Health India makes sure that women receive guidance that is applicable to their particular situation and practical by taking a culturally sensitive approach.
Conclusion
Unquestionably, many women in high-pressure occupations experience work-related stress, particularly in hectic and demanding work situations. Women can manage the stress associated with their work more effectively by establishing boundaries, putting self-care first, using their time wisely, and asking for help when needed. Online treatment, such as that offered by Rocket Health India, is a useful tool for managing mental health since it is convenient, affordable, and customised to meet the needs of the patient.
Maintaining your mental well-being is just as crucial as achieving professional success, and you can accomplish both with the right tools and techniques. In order to enable you to have a balanced, satisfying life at work and beyond, Rocket Health India is here to assist you manage your work-related stress.
References
Salari, N., Hosseinian-Far, A., Jalali, R., Vaisi-Raygani, A., Rasoulpoor, S., Mohammadi, M., Rasoulpoor, S., & Khaledi-Paveh, B. (2020). Prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Globalization and Health, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-020-00589-w
Sekher, T. (2018). Social economic and health implications of work at night a study of women employees of transnational call centres in Mumbai. https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/273601
Streatfeild, J., Smith, J., Mansfield, D., Pezzullo, L., & Hillman, D. (2021). The Social And Economic Cost Of Sleep Disorders. Sleep, 44(11). https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsab132
Vaghela, L., Hari, V., & Doss, K. J. J. (2019). A Study to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation to reduce the level of stress among working women in selected Urban Area at Rajkot. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 7(4), 590. https://doi.org/10.5958/2454-2660.2019.00131.5