416 - Friday, July 3, 1992 - North Shore News

Moms in the workforce
face unique challenges

TWO-INCOME families are the norm rather than the ex-
ception these days, putting new pressures on families, and
particularly mothers. Career-orienied mothers feel the guilt
and worry of spending too little time with their children,
and at the same time, wonder if they are being dedicated

enough to their jobs.

For these women, juggling ca-
reer aspirations with family
obligations is a daily challenge.
This may lead to high fevels of
stress and cause problems in fami-
ly life.

It is especially vital for career-
oriented mothers to maintain a

64 Learn to control
the anger and
frustration that can
sometimes overtake
an otherwise
normal day. 99

sense of control over personal
freedom while keeping the de-
mands of job and family balanc-
ed. Try to ease stress build-up by
taking a few simple preventive
steps.

Don’t try to be Wonder Mom.
Be open and honest with your
family about your needs. If you
carefully explain your reasons for
working and the stress that this
sometimes produces, family
members should begin to under-
stand and pitch in.

Divide the household chores.
Don’t worry if the jobs are not
done to your specifications;
what’s important is that it gets
done so you have more time to
relax. If everyday chores pile up,
try initiating a family cleaning day
once a month, and make it a team
effort.

Use the extra time you create to

take care of yourself. Tell your’

family that you want some time
‘on your own to indulge yourself
in an activity that has absolutely
nothing to do with your family
and job responsibilities. Make a

International =
radio & t.

- control

By Dr. Richard Earte
Contributing Writer

point of scheduling it into your
weekly acitivities, even if it’s just
to read a book, relax in a bub-
ble-bath or sit in) your favorite
chair listening to music.

Learn to control the anger and
frustration that can sometimes
overtake an otherwise normal day.
A mere 10 minutes of brisk walk-
ing can help to boost your mood.
One of the added benefits is that
exercise makes you feel more in
control. This is an important con-
cept, because feeling you have no
control is one of the major
sources Of stress for women.

Another method of gaining
if you feel yourself
becoming stressed is to take a few
‘“‘breathers.”' Breathe in deeply for
a count of five, hold the air in
your lungs for a count of five,
then slowly let it out. As your
muscles begin to relax, your level
of emotional stress is reduced.

Try this technique on your
route home. By the time you walk
through the front door, the stress
from your work day will be less-
ened. To enhance the relaxation
effect of these deep breathing ex-
ercises, visualize yourself doing
something you enjoy or are plan-
hing to do.

Another approach to dealing
with stress is setting priorities.
Rather than trying to do
everything at once, decide what
must be done today and leave the
rest until tomorrow or another
day. This often helps to eliminate
pressure caused by the belief that
every job must be done im-
mediately.

Taking care of yourself, in a
common-sense way, is also a key
to reducing stress. Don't rob
yourself of much-needed sleep to
fit in another hour of housework
or work from the office. It can
wait.

Chronic lack of sleep lessens
your ability to cope with stressful
situations. According to reasearch,
decision-making abilities and ra-

Find out more about yourself
from these gifted channels!

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Mon. June 29-Sun., July 5
263-6524

tional judgement are impaired or
weakened in individuals who ha-
bitually don’t get enough sleep.

The more you learn about stress
and its effects on families, the
better equipped you are to
recognize your own Stress triggers.
You may be thinking that you
don't have the time to study this
subject. Taking a few minutes
each day to discover what triggers
your stress and finding workable
Preventive steps can make your
life easier to manage.

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