NZCB InHouse magazine December 2020/January 2021

Page 40

HEALTH AND WELLBEING —

Nine ways to recognise a woman’s stress Do women experience similar types of stress compared to men? Is there a difference in how women cope with their stress, pressure and overwhelm? What early warning signs should we be looking out for? Nine of the most common symptoms of stress in women include:

Women and stress In today’s fast-paced world, women are experiencing more stress at every stage of their lives than ever before. Men and women share many of the same sources of stress – job security, financial matters, incessant worrying, relationship issues and health. Perhaps a little more unique to women are the many roles they take on. Women are traditionally the nurturers and while this is changing in some family structures many will still fulfil this role even as they juggle job pressures, family schedules, money issues, career and educational advancement and child and elder-care.

• Tension – headaches, migraines and muscular pain • Difficulty sleeping – either can’t get to sleep or waking up during the night with the brain on high alert • Overeating – women are more prone to stress-related weight-gain than men. Cortisol, a hormone released when the body is under stress, is an appetite trigger • Stomach and bowel problems – bowel and intestinal muscles constrict causing conditions such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome • Lack of energy – always tired, forgetful and worrying • Less interest in things – in sex/other things or activities they used to enjoy • Emotional mood swings – depression and anxiety, feelings of being out of control • Apathy – loss of meaning, emptiness, unforgiving, doubt, guilt, despair. • Feelings of isolation – less intimacy, isolation, family problems, loneliness.

How can women better manage stress Women can manage stress by practising healthy self-care strategies. Examine your negative stress signs in each of these six life areas: physical, emotional, mental, occupational, social, and spiritual. What would you like to be different in your life? What do you need to do to achieve more balance or potential? As demands increase to fulfil these roles, women can feel overwhelmed from time pressures and unmet obligations. They may feel a sense of failure from not being able to meet expectations for themselves and others. Often women spend more time meeting the needs of others rather than nurturing their own needs. When functioning at high stress levels, women may not recognise what their needs are. Instead of seeking help, they often do more especially as they don’t want to let others down. Women may experience a lot of guilt and will generally make themselves more available to help and therefore spend less time on their own well-being. Research indicates that women’s biological response to stress is to “tend and befriend”; that is, make sure the children are safe and to network with other women during stressful times. Men’s biological reaction to stress is to go into the “flight-or-fight” mode.

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When both partners are stressed Learn to recognise the signs of stress in each other. Be flexible. Take turns with chores. Plan a strategy for the week with both of you sharing the load. Be realistic about what you can accomplish, and set priorities. Give each other opportunities to talk and to have quiet times. Get enough sleep. Don’t take everything that either of you say or do too seriously if you’re both stressed. Use good-natured humour to relieve the tension. Avoid criticism or negativity. For helpful, practical strategies, communication tools and techniques Linda has written the Award Winning book ‘Transforming Your Stress Into Business Success’. This is available at: www.transformingyourstressinto businesssuccess.com Linda Wells – The Business Stress Specialist. Linda is a speaker, trainer and consultant. Over the past 14 years, she has inspired and educated men and women to lead, communicate and respond more effectively to avoid overwhelm, reduce stress and increase productivity, success and enjoyment.


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Marmox makes light work of insulating and waterproofing

2min
page 51

NEWS BITES

5min
pages 52-53

NZCB Affinity Partners

1min
page 54

Control costs and protect your work with SOLITEX EXTASANA®

2min
page 50

Message from the AST Trust

2min
page 49

Message from the North Island BDM – Shane Ririnui

3min
page 46

NZCB Canterbury walks 12-hours to raise funds for Cancer Society

4min
pages 44-45

Food tastes better when it’s for a good cause

1min
page 43

Nine ways to recognise a woman’s stress

4min
pages 40-41

How to manage when we’re feeling overwhelmed

2min
pages 38-39

HazardCo’s Quickshare – the smart way to manage your Health and Safety

2min
pages 36-37

Protecting New Zealand builders from skin cancer

3min
page 35

Waikato/Coromandel annual Charity Golf Day a hit for all

2min
page 42

Supervisor training cashback offer for construction workers

2min
page 34

Construction: NZ’s climate superhero?

4min
pages 32-33

Five ways tech makes your day better

3min
pages 30-31

Speaking from experience

6min
pages 26-27

What impact will the recent building consent exemptions have on you?

6min
pages 24-25

Do you have an exit plan?

3min
pages 22-23

NZCB joins forces with ITM to help Bay of Islands Animal Rescue

3min
pages 28-29

Labour Party workplace relations and safety policies

2min
page 21

NZCB closed Facebook group

1min
page 20

Putting our partners in the spotlight

3min
page 14

NZCB AGM, Conference and Expo 2021

4min
pages 18-19

Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee

8min
pages 10-11

Message from the Group Technical Manager

2min
pages 8-9

Contract Works vs Public Liability Insurance

1min
pages 12-13

Message from the NZCB Board

3min
pages 4-5

Workshops with opportunity

2min
pages 16-17

Message from the Chief Executive

2min
pages 6-7
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