WOMEN and S-T-R-E-S-S

Good afternoon, Fam...

     It's been a while, I know, you don't have to remind me.  I, like you, have just been doing my thing.  Or, at least trying too.  Like most of you who will not admit it, I have been stressing.  Some of it has been the everyday, just get up and live stress and some has been some deep, far reaching, I hope I don't hurt nobody stress issues...

     Sometimes the aches, pains, trouble breathing, heart palpitations, and insomnia we have are not due to some oncoming illness.  Many times all those things can be associated with stress.  Stress affects everything, including our thoughts, feelings, what comes out of our mouths, and how we act.  That urge to slap someone, the hate you are feeling, the cursing out that you just gave someone, and that extra shot of Hennessy you just had could all be a result of the overwhelming stress that is in your life right now.

     Women have always been known to be the caretakers, caregivers, the cook, the dishwasher, the maid, the one who makes everything work out for the good, no matter what, and in some cases the bread winner.  I can remember a time when a woman worked outside the home so that her family could have extras like that special outfit or a summer vacation, but now according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 47% of US workers are women.  Women are the primary, sole earners for 40% of households with children under 18, compared to 11% in 1960.  Women tend to spend less time taking care of themselves than they do others in their households.

     So, what can we do about it?  Make some much needed changes.  It doesn't have to be anything life altering, but it needs to be something that will give us, as women, a moment for ourselves to walk away from the stress issues.  The Cleveland Clinic suggest that leisure time is a  necessary thing, not an option.  We need time to rejuvenate.  They also remind us that we cannot be ALL things to ALL people.  Sometimes we need to ask for help or delegate.  Other things we could consider for a moment to ourselves (and this is just a mini list):

• massages
• reading
• journaling
• exercise
• spiritual time
• listening to music

At the end of the day, if none of those few suggestions work, we should consider some professional counseling, or a support group.  Those are just a few suggestions to help us to wind down and step away from or deal better with the stresses of life.  Try a little something until you find what works for you.

SMOOCHES