STRESSED?

Hiiiiiiiiiiii my sistas. It’s another weekend and I KNOW you’ve been dying for the weekend to come for a change of pace and some REST. At least those of us who do rest on a weekend.

May is being celebrated as ‘Mental Health Month’ so it’s a good time to pay attention to issues important to our mental health.

I roused in the wee hours of the morning and turned over to change sides as I usually do in my sleep. This time though, my whole world spinned out of control even in the dark, and in a panic I shouted out for my husband, startling him out of his sleep.

“I’m dizzy….I’m dizzy… help me!!!”

I had no idea what was happening. Each time I tried to get up, my world would spin around me and I had the most dreadful feeling I cannot even describe.

I was terrified.

My husband rubbed me down with rubbing alcohol and had me inhale the alcohol fumes, and then smelling salts from our first aid box, as well as elevated my feet. Nothing helped, so I went to the doctor who prescribed medication for vertigo. After a couple of days, with little relief, I had to return to the doctor who concluded that the dizziness was NOT being caused by vertigo.

It was the effects of stress-related anxiety.

I honestly did not realize I was that stressed.

Why am I sharing this? As a gentle warning to my fellow perfectionists and workaholics who are reading. Yes, those are two of my weaknesses - perfectionism and workaholism, and with those come STRESS!

I think too many of us are unaware of the seriousness of living our lives constantly under high levels of stress.

Some of us even wear “stress” as a badge of honour and believe that it comes with the territory of “success”.

We are therefore consumed with “climbing the corporate ladder”, “breaking glass ceilings”, “keeping our nose to the grindstone”, “jumping through hoops”, “moving mountains”, “pulling our weight”, and “constantly raising the bar”, all to “stay ahead of the game”.

The problem is that even when our bodies are telling us that we are putting it through too much, we “hang in there” through “blood, sweat and tears” because it is commendable to “go the extra mile”.

After all, as Jamaicans say, “if yuh wah good yuh nose affi run”!!! In other words we have to make sacrifices to get what we want in life.

While this is true and hard work is sometimes necessary, it comes with a lot of stress. Stress is inevitable and “good stress” (eustress) is even required for our survival, however, we must learn to manage it so it does not become distress.

We are NOT superwomen.

Stress is a common experience for everyone, but it can have particularly negative effects on women. When we experience stress, our bodies produce cortisol, a hormone that, in small amounts, helps us deal with short-term stressors. However, long-term stress can lead to an excess of cortisol in the body, which can cause a range of negative health effects…. as I have learned the hard way.

Women may be more susceptible to the negative effects of stress due to a number of factors. For one, we women often take on more caregiving responsibilities than men, such as caring for children or sick or elderly family members. We also pride ourselves in “multi-tasking”. This can lead to chronic stress that can take a toll on our physical and mental health. Additionally, women may face discrimination, unequal pay, and other forms of gender-based stress that can contribute to chronic stress.

Chronic stress can contribute to heart disease, weight gain, digestive problems, and weakened immune function.

What is not given sufficient attention however, as I have shared from my own experiences in this and previous blogs, is the fact that excessive stress can also wreak havoc on our mental health.

Here are some of the ways that excessive stress can affect mental well-being:

1. Anxiety and Depression: High levels of stress can trigger feelings of anxiety and depression. These conditions can make it difficult to cope with daily life and can interfere with work, relationships, and other important areas of life.

2. Insomnia: Stress can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulty falling or staying asleep. This can leave individuals feeling tired, irritable, and unable to concentrate during the day.

3. Substance Abuse: People experiencing chronic stress may turn to alcohol or drugs as a way of coping. Substance abuse can lead to further mental health problems and can interfere with work and relationships.

4. Physical Health Problems: Prolonged stress can also lead to physical health problems, such as headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, and a weakened immune system. These issues can further exacerbate mental health problems.

5. Burnout: Too much stress can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. This can lead to a loss of motivation, increased irritability, and a sense of hopelessness.

If, my sista, you are continuously facing high levels of stress, you are not alone in this.

How then, can we reduce the negative effects of excessive stress on our health?

It is important to seek support and practice stress-management techniques to prevent and manage stress-related mental health issues.

WEEKEND RESET TIP

This week - Begin with and prioritize self-care.

In Mathew 12:31 we are told that the second commandment in order of importance is to “‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ This means you have to love yourself BEFORE you can truly, effectively love your neighbour.

Self-care is any activity that nourishes your body and mind. For example, get enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food, and take breaks from technology.

Proactively seek and accept social support from friends and family members to help alleviate stress and prevent these health issues.

If however, you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, don’t ignore it until it is too late. Seek medical help including therapy or counseling, which is very helpful in managing chronic stress and related mental health issues.

Ladies, it still takes a village. Although, as adults we no longer need the “village” to “raise” us, we need help and support during every single phase and stage of our lives in order to succeed without being depleted.

If you are feeling depleted, defeated, or stuck, it is not too late to get help.

In addition to the measures above to recharge and reset, you can also get ongoing support by being a part of a nurturing community of women. Click HERE to join my Recharge & Reset Community for FREE, and HERE to schedule a FREE coaching call with me to see if my Recharge and Reset Coaching Programme is for you.

Sharon Carruthers, the author of the ‘Weekend Reset’ blog is a child of God, wife, mother of 3, a Human Resource Management and Development Consultant, and owner of the firm, ‘Bold Consulting’. She is sharing from her own experiences for women who are holding back, or living on autopilot; who believe their identities are in others and, or in what they do; or who neglect themselves while sacrificially taking care of others. She hopes that together Christian women can embrace the future with the beautiful hope of transformation one step at a time.