April is stress awareness month. Stress affects everyone, but women are particularly affected by pressure for the many duties that modern life put on us. Writing your story, your thoughts, can be used as a therapy to stress relief management and to attract positivity in our lives. Project Women interviewed Author Victoria J.Brown, who suggests writing as a therapy.
Statistics from the Mental Health Association show that 74% of adults in the UK felt very stressed during the year that could not cope with it, and 81% of women said so compared to 67% of men.
According to the Office of National Statistics, in 2020, the number of cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health and 55% of all days lost due to work-related ill-health.
Significantly higher than the previous year. Evidence suggests this is not related to COVID-19
Why do we feel so stressed?
Stress is a normal reaction to our body. It can be positive when pushing us to achieve a goal in our professional life. However, it can be harmful when affecting our mental and physical health.
Women during the Pandemic had to take care of many chores.
For example, taking care of elderly parents, homeschooling, providing extra hygiene in their house, and on top of working from home.
All these duties have an effect on you, and when you can not slow down, stress over stress can develop into chronic , which can lead to health problems.
Common causes or so-called short-term causes are: missing the metro to go to work, being stuck in the traffic, or running out of work to attend the parents evening.
While more severe causes or so-called long-term stress causes can be discrimination, for example, discrimination at work or because of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. Dealing with trauma, for example, been in an accident or going through emotional and physical traumas.
If you constantly feel on edge or can not cope, talk to a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional.
How does stress affect women’s health?
Stress has an impact on women health, and sometimes we are not able to recognise those symptoms. However, stress can cause trouble sleeping and weakening the immune system. Other common symptoms are:
Migraine and headache, heart problems, obesity, upset stomach such as diarrhoea or vomiting, premenstrual syndrome symptoms or irregular periods, problems getting pregnant. Also, hair loss and ageing skin.
How can we manage stress?
Taking care of your self is the first step. Try to find something that you enjoy doing.
It can be listening to music, practising relaxation techniques that are easy to find on the internet.
Try to have a walk, every day that combines the exercise with fresh air. Get some quality sleep to allow your body to recover, most important, seek out happiness.
Write To Heal
There are many ways to cope with stress. However, the simple act of writing, thinking and let your emotions out is very recommended.
According to the British Journal of General Practice, writing has been effective in several conditions, many for which stress can be a causative or exacerbating factor.
Victoria J. Brown, Author, says: “When we have lots of things going around in our mind, we often can’t sort through them. When the mind feels chaotic, it does affect the body and soul. If you can soothe your soul, the rest will follow.”
“For example, are you worried about the outcome of a situation? Are you stressing about things that haven’t happened yet? If this is the case, when you’re releasing these thoughts, write about your desired outcome.
“Write as if you’ve received this outcome. Imagine the emotions and joy you would feel if you were at peace.
“Simply putting pen to paper is fantastic for your soul.
“We need to take care of our inner selves so that our outer selves can shine. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar or even if your writing makes sense.
“Write and get those thoughts, emotions and experiences down on paper. There is probably a book deep inside of you.”
Victoria is the author of inspirational books such as ‘21 Days of putting on your Positivity Pants‘ and ‘Finding Myself.’ And a book coach.
Victoria helps women with writing therapy in her programme called Law of Attraction. She helps women who need to release their stories to heal by writing their book and story.
Victoria said: “I believe everyone has a story to tell. Whether you develop this into non-fiction or a fiction book, it will empower you & others!”
In what way writing your book can help you heal?
” Writing is therapeutic. Self-reflective writing is an excellent way to express your emotion.
“Many authors have created fictional stories through their own life experiences.
“When I was studying for my MA in Creative Writing, the saying, ‘Write what you know, was used quite often.”
How to start?
Pick a time- it could be in the day or evening when you are less busy; that also helps to relax and start writing anything that comes to your mind. Use pen and paper, or use the keyboard, whatever makes you feel comfortable, and write… let your thoughts go.
Pick a topic- It can be a different topic every day or something that you enjoy or interests you.
Keep it safe- it is for yourself, so if you do not wish to share with other people in your house, keep it safe, it is giving you the confidence to write more about what is in your head.
Stress management– keep it messy, or keep it tidy; it is about what makes you happy, is your book/journal and should fit with your personality. You may want to buy a leather diary, or it can be on your Ipad.
Enjoy- Write, enjoy what you write, think, consider, delete it if necessary, but please do not blame yourself for problems or what you have not achieved today and let emotional writing help you grow.
Remember- If you constantly feel on edge or can not cope, talk to a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional.
Alessia Miceli 