Stressed? Supporting women to manage stress
It’s not uncommon for a woman to tell one of Gateway’s Support Workers: “I feel so stressed and overwhelmed by everything I’m dealing with. I don’t know where to start”.
We know that responding to life’s demands can be very hard.
A woman might be facing major changes in their life – perhaps bereavement, a loss of health or the end of a relationship; or financial instability. They might feel overwhelmed by worry or fear, or impacted by trauma. Women might have a demanding role as an unpaid carer, have a young family, or have other responsibilities that are challenging. Some report feeling that their emotional strength and resilience are stretched to capacity by life’s circumstances. Many of the women we support are dealing with multiple stresses at the same time.
At our recent ‘Managing Stress’ workshop, women had the opportunity to learn together and share ideas and tips for managing stress. They talked about the causes of stress, and the impact it can have on physical and mental wellbeing. The group then tried out some techniques for managing stress – ranging from quick mindfulness exercises to seated stretches – and put together their own toolkit of strategies to try at home.
“I wasn’t sure I could justify the time to come to the session, but I’m glad I did… You need time to think about what you can do to manage stress, and it also reminded me of things I already knew helped, but had forgotten about”.
Once we are back in the Gateway building, the team are planning a new range of workshops and group sessions in consultation with the women who use Gateway. As well as wellbeing-themed sessions like our stress management session, we’ll also offer a variety of sessions including creative activities, exercise and movement, trips out to other community projects, and information talks on topics ranging from spotting scams, managing menopause and nutrition on a budget.
What is stress?
How can we identify when we are stressed?
What are the common causes of stress?
Why does stress affect our energy and performance levels?
What can we do to manage our stress?
Practical application of techniques.
