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You need to calm down!

 According to “Women of Tomorrow,” a recent Nielsen survey of 6,500 women across 21 different nations, Indian women are the most stressed in the world today. An overwhelming 87% of Indian women said they felt stressed most of the time, and 82% reported that they had no time to relax. The Nielsen survey’s respondents blame the difficulty of juggling multiple roles at home and work. Career opportunities for women in “the New India” are rapidly expanding, but family expectations and social mores remain rooted in tradition.  source:  https://hbr.org/2011/08/why-are-indias-women-so-stress


“Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.”– Hans Selye
Stress and the Indian women in today's time, are like two sides of the same coin. Before I proceed with this post I do not wish to sound apathetic towards the feelings of Men. They are a huge part of our lives and we accept that even though the modern woman can provide for her own and pamper herself, she doesn't mind when there is a strong, reassuring man in her life who can do all that and so much more in her life. Men face a lot of stress at the work front, at home and in relationships too. The major reason apart from all the scientific hormonal ones is the fact, that they are a tad less emotional than women. They prefer to hide it away or indulge it an activity while women prefer to talk about it or wrap up their self esteem in human relationships and let others needs determine her stress. Resultant? Anxiety, Insomnia, Depression, Mood Swings, Blood Pressure, Diabetes and other manifestations of stress in the human body.
Coming back to Women and Stress, As I sit here writing this post today, with nothing new about me, except the fact that I'm married now; I've learnt - It is no joke; living the life of a woman in the Indian sub continent. Where the patriarchal values are still deep rooted ( why go far? even I grew up with few of such values) and where the lady is expected to slog 8hours a day at her work place and as soon as she is back home, she must resume her duties asap. If you think, 'She's a housewife,so relaxing! easy peasy' - moreover, being a housewife with kids? is no joke! An Indian woman, working or not is under constant inspection. She is questioned for her actions, cross examined for her reactions. She is constantly scrutinized and held responsible not only for her actions, but also for her husband's and her children's. She is the one who will have to adjust and compromise. She will be the one to bear.
No wonder she is the most stressed woman in the world!
If we can't run away from our responsibilities, change our situations impromptu, reverse our roles or be a rebel outright... we have to find our way out of the streets of stress and unwind. I asked my ladies their views on how they'd like to de-stress or handle stress. I got a myriad of views which I hereby present before you. So ladies, get ready, put on your running shoes and choose whichever street you'd like to explore and go running down that lane! :*
1. Listening to Music
2. Hobbies 
3. Sleeping
4. Cleaning
5. Running / Working Out / Yoga


6. Taking a Walk
7. Burger & Fries / Comfort Food or Eating your Favourite Food
8. Spiritual Speakers

9. Praying to God
10. Retail Therapy/ Spa/ Parlour Appointments




11. Talking to Best Friend / Parents















12. Shedding those tears away (Lighten your heart's burden, once and for all)
Apart from all these wonderful stress busters mentioned above, I would also like to mention the importance of time management here. One day when I was taking a 'Life Lesson' Class with my kids, they asked me how I managed my time so well? Teaching them at the school, daily household chores, going to the Gym, Making notes for the next day, Studying for my own cause and pursuing any one of my own interest per day. Now that I typed it down myself, I too realised that it is all possible only because I am a little hard on myself when it comes to meeting deadlines, finishing work before time, making lists of all the tasks at hand, for the day, for the week and if it is a hectic 30days then even a list for the entire month. Being organised is the key for me. It comes to me naturally, through my genes LOL (Thanks Mom and Dad, who by far are the most organised people and the master planners, and I am hoping to take after them!) So ladies, be in control of your lives and please...as far as possible, try to have realistic expectations about your life and daily challenges. It will not only help you battle off stress, but also help attain happiness from the little things in life which may be went unnoticed before.
"Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There's going to be stress in life, but it's your choice whether you let it affect you or not. - Valerie Bertinelli

Picture Courtesy: Google

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