How Should Corporate Women Guard Their Mental Health
Stress is a rather common experience for people from all walks of life, that sometimes appears constant. However, for women working in corporate environments, it can be particularly challenging. From managing demanding workloads to working in cross-functional teams to finding the perfect work-life balance, the stressors can feel overwhelming. However, it is possible for women to manage stress effectively and thrive in their careers by using a few simple strategies in their daily lives.
Not all stress is harmful. It must be remembered that the human body’s stress response is hard-wired into our nervous system – it is what helps us perform to our potential. If one looks at pre-historic man, it was the stress response (also known as ‘fight or flight’) that helped to either run away from or fight against predators. Today, even before a job interview or an exam, it is stress that helps us do our best.
The feelings of a rapid heartbeat, slight sweating of the palms, tightening of the muscles etc. are all signs of the body preparing itself for the stress response. This is called EUSTRESS. However, when stress becomes prolonged and is not managed, it can precipitate psychological as well as physical manifestations that are harmful. Anxiety, sustained high blood pressure, cardiovascular disturbances, muscle fatigue and a feeling of burnout are indications of the bodily damage of prolonged stress.
The first step in managing stress is to recognize it and realize when it begins to overwhelm you. Some common signs of stress include feeling burdened, irritable or anxious, experiencing changes in sleep patterns, and physical symptoms such as headaches or muscle tension. Over a period of time, these symptoms become chronic and start interfering with daily tasks and activities. Prioritizing self-care is one of the main strategies that help in dealing with stress.
The importance of getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise or other physical activities cannot be overstated. Women in corporate environments often feel like they have to put work first, but neglecting oneself is a sure-shot way of burning out.
While self-care is critical, it helps to identify sources of stress and find ways to manage them. For example, if a woman feels overwhelmed at work, she could benefit from setting priorities and breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks. Seeking colleagues to speak to as part of one’s support system helps to navigate the situation.
Talking to someone who understands the challenges of working in a corporate environment can be helpful in dealing with stress and finding a coping strategy that works. It must be remembered that stress is a normal part of life and asking for help when needed is normal too. A strong support network consisting of friends, family members, colleagues or healthcare professionals goes a long way in maintaining one’s life balance.
This can help women feel less isolated and overwhelmed. Many organizations offer employee assistance programs that provide confidential counselling or other support services to help employees manage stress and other mental well-being concerns.
In some cases, managing stress may require significant lifestyle changes. For example, if a woman is experiencing chronic stress due to a toxic work environment or job burnout, she may need to consider a career change or other significant life changes. While this can be difficult, it is important to prioritize mental and physical health above all else.
In my years of practice as a healthcare professional, what I have seen helping stressed individuals cope better are mindfulness practices. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment and non-judgmentally observing one's thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This can help women in corporate environments to become more aware of their stressors and cope effectively.
Mindfulness practices can include meditation, yoga, pranayama / deep breathing, or simply taking a few moments to pause and reflect during the workday. By incorporating mindfulness into daily routines, women can develop a greater sense of resilience and better manage stress.
Finally, it is important for women in corporate environments to recognize that they are not alone in experiencing stress. While it may seem like everyone else has everything under control, the truth is that stress is a universal experience. By seeking out support and developing effective coping strategies, women can manage stress and thrive in their careers.
As a Corporate Health and Wellbeing Partner, I work with employees across several companies to advise and train them on global best practices that build lasting resilience, International SOS supports the workforce of organizations through the provision of trained and experienced medical personnel, Psychological First Aid and mindfulness sessions. The results are encouraging and are acknowledged by employees undergoing this training.
By prioritizing self-care, identifying sources of stress, developing strong support networks, and practicing mindfulness, women can better manage stress and thrive in their careers. It is important to remember that stress is a normal part of life, and that seeking help when needed is a sign of strength rather than weakness. By taking care of oneself and seeking out support, women in corporate environments can defeat stress and set an example for their colleagues, peers, managers and leaders.
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