Stress and Women

Stress is the "wear and tear" the body goes through as it adjusts to the constantly changing environment. Anything that causes change in a person's life causes stress.

Stress can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute stress is the reaction to an immediate threat. This is commonly known as the "fight or flight" response. The threat can be any situation that is seen as a danger. Common short-term stressors include:

Imagining a threat or remembering a dangerous event can also evoke a stress response. Modern life frequently results in ongoing stressful situations. These may include:

What is the information for this topic?

Stress occurs all the time in most people's lives. Too much stress, however, can seriously affect physical and mental well-being. Stress decreases the quality of life by reducing feelings of pleasure and accomplishment. At some point in their lives, almost all people will go through stressful events or situations that overwhelm their ability to cope.

A woman's role has changed a lot since the 1950s and 1960s. Very few women worked out of the home then. Many stayed home and were housewives. This has changed. Sixty three million women now work, making up almost half the US work force. This is a 56% gain since 1950. In most cases, this is done out of necessity to make ends meet, to pay the monthly bills.

Women are more likely than men to have multiple roles. These include employee, spouse, housekeeper, and primary caregiver to children and elderly parents.

More women are now holding management positions and work in trades that were mostly occupied by men. Studies show that a job with high demands, low control over how the job is done, and low social support lead to greater decline in health status.

The divorce rate is approximately 50% in the US. There are many single parent households now. Working mothers, regardless of whether they are married or single, face higher stress levels. This is not so much in the work place but at home. She may feel guilty for leaving her children while she works, and try to make it up by being "super mom." This only increases her stress when she realizes that she can't do it all.

Many women are waiting to have children until they have become established in their careers. This can cause increased stress if infertility is a factor.

Women are particularly prone to stress caused by hormone changes. These changes occur during puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Women's stress hormones and blood pressure remain high when they get home after the workday. This is not true for men, however.

Some tips for reducing stress in women include:

Eliminating stress from life is impossible. However, stress management techniques can decrease some of the harmful effects of stress.