If the search for reconciliation between family and work life has always been one of the main concerns of parents, this school year the problem has multiplied. And it is that the COVID pandemic has completely changed our lives, affecting us in different areas of our day to day, work being one of them.
Either because we continue to telework or because we have started the gradual process back to the offices, to the uncertainty of how the school year will develop is added the concern about returning to work and the concern about how we can combine the care of our children in in case they have to stay home as a precaution against COVID-19.
According to a study carried out by the consulting firm Kantar, all these situations are generating great stress for Spanish parents, who face the new course with great concern and anxiety.
Work-life balance problems and stress, an inseparable pairing
Apart from the physical havoc that the coronavirus is causing, the pandemic is also affecting us psychologically, and parents are one of the groups that is suffering the most . During our confinement, we had to combine teleworking with raising children and educating them at home, an overly demanding burden that has ended up taking its toll for many.
Currently, there are still fathers and mothers who continue to telework with their children at home, although with the start of the new school year there are also many who have been returning in person to their jobs.
These data would reinforce other similar data such as those presented by the Aegon group in its III Health and Life Study, which shows how stress has grown this year compared to 2019, with work being the second cause of stress for the Spanish surveyed.
Likewise, according to another survey carried out in July by the Club de Malasmadres and DKV, the problems of stress and anxiety among Spanish mothers increased after confinement, so far from decreasing, this feeling or state begins to be a real problem in many homes .
Remember that stress is a natural response of the body, which reacts to a situation that requires a significant effort or that we perceive as a threat. Its appearance generates a series of symptoms such as a feeling of restlessness, difficulty concentrating and poor rest, as well as appetite disorders, irritability and nervousness, which can affect our personal and professional lives.
It also has a physical representation, with generalized tension, headaches, neck, back or chest, hypertension, a feeling of suffocation, increased sweating, stomach discomfort or skin diseases.
Ten Tips to Help You Reduce Stress
Logically, if we eliminate the problem that is causing us stress, our mood would probably improve. But unfortunately, we know that in most cases it is not always possible or easy to do it, so it is necessary to develop strategies to cope with it and to compensate for that stress with activities that help us relax.
In this sense, EnRelax specialists offer us the following tips to deal with situations that generate stress:
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If conciliation is one of the problems that is causing you the most stress, think calmly how you would organize yourself in case of need ; In other words, develop an action plan. Having a roadmap designed will allow you to feel calmer and with the situation under control, should it arise.
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Sometimes a problem can become a very large ‘ball’ that is difficult to digest, so dividing that situation into smaller parts can help us solve it more easily and lower our stress level somewhat.
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Find activities that you like and help you relieve stress , such as reading, yoga, walking, painting … Practicing these activities will help you increase your happiness hormones, helping you to counteract your stress levels.
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Regardless of these types of activities, it is necessary to find small moments a day to stop, breathe and calm down. This oxygenation and disconnection will help you to resume your obligations with renewed energy.
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Remember that breathing is one of the best techniques to relax. But it is important to breathe correctly, because a shallow or agitated breathing will increase our levels of stress and anxiety, while diaphragmatic breathing will be our best ally .
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Avoid turning things around . Sometimes we get into a “runrún” that does not bring us any benefit and only generates more stress. Thinking too much about problems and anticipating possible scenarios takes us away from a relaxed and calm attitude towards life.
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Find the company of family and friends to support you. Whether it’s chatting about unimportant matters or sharing your concerns and concerns, talking with others will allow you to vent, get advice, and help you relax.
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Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and exercise . Following healthy lifestyle habits will help you feel positive, relaxed and with a good attitude towards life. A diet based on the Mediterranean diet, a good rest and the practice of regular physical exercise will contribute to your physical and mental health, to see situations more calmly and objectively, and to make better decisions.
Photos | iStock
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