We all have been there. The boss says you are under-performing. According to WebMD, you may experience any combination of the following as a result of Stress: “aches, pains, and tense muscles. Chest pain and rapid heartbeat. Insomnia. Frequent colds and infections.” The American Psychological Association reports that men are not as likely as women to report having symptoms of stress.

Women's work-life stress

Working anywhere causes a lot of stress. Whether you are being forced to work because of medical bills, a working-mother who misses her newborn, or the inability of the woman to stay at home and take care of your sick spouse.

Your thoughts can be on these examples or something even more out of your control.

You could have a tyrant for a boss, forced to work through your breaks and lunch, overtime, or blamed for things you did not do.

Whatever that is causing you stress, women can make unhealthy choices to see them through the stressful times. Learn from my example and maybe you can prevent yourself from being obese like me.

My life submerged in office stress

The job I had was fantastic! I actually loved it. When my “boss of stress” would go globetrotting, he would pile up enough work for two people. When he got back, he raked me over the coals about why I did not get my work done. If he found a mistake on a document, he would burst forth from his office and give me a tongue lashing that the entire second floor could hear.

I was afraid to do anything wrong.

Work plus stress equals an expanding waistline for women

The environment was so stressful, it was not conducive to me working there. My solution was to begin making bad health decisions.

I would fill my desk drawer with all kinds of sugary and salty foods. When I had spare change, I would be at the vending machine drooling while I waited for my candy bar to be released.

My lunch stops were not the healthiest, either.

Just prior to starting the job for the “boss of stress”, I lost 30 pounds for my cousin’s wedding. As the stress mounted, the pounds kept coming back. I was the largest I have ever been while working for the “boss of stress”. Since quitting that job, I have lost over 15 pounds.

Sugar and Salt

While munching on my snacks at work to help soothe the pain of the stress, the sugar and the salt did horrible things to my body, unbeknownst to me. I did not even know that I had a sodium/blood pressure issue.

Little did I know that the crackers I chomped down on were blowing me up like a balloon. My body’s reaction to extra salt was to make my feet and ankles swell as well as my calves. I felt awful.

When I ate the sugar, those carbs turned directly into fat cells. So as day after day went by and I was noshing on the candy bars and cakes that came into the shared office, I was getting bigger and bigger. Clothes were tight. I hated to shop for clothes at my size.

What do women do to prevent stress?

Stress is inevitable. You will rarely be able to prevent stress. So, I encourage you to do your best to decrease and cope with the stress in your life.

Decreasing the stress for women

In order to reduce your stress, ask a neighbor, good friend, or relative to help out by picking your son up from basketball practice. You are probably rolling your eyes and thinking that would never work. Don’t discredit the idea until you try all possibilities. I am the type of person who does not readily volunteer. But, if someone asks me I am more apt to say yes.

Women coping with stress

Exercise

You know you have heard it before, you need to exercise in order to help cope with the stress.

I always feel so much better after I exercise. And I feel relaxed. It gives me something to do and look forward to. Some women say they do not have the time. You do not have to buy an expensive gym membership. Walk.

Breathe. Relax.

Whenever I get upset, frustrated, stressed, ready to come unglued, I remember what my friend Chris told me. He said just repeat to yourself “Breathe. Relax.”. I use it almost as a mantra or meditation. Works every time.

Stress is real for women

If you are experiencing an overabundant amount of stress in your life, go see your doctor. Women, you do not know what type of pressure cooker is wanting to explode within your body.

Women, take care of your bodies

Besides exercising, eat right. Stress happens. There is a trigger. You freak out. You want your comfort food. Food is for nourishment - not comfort.
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