Women in Work
Todays women are living life twice as fast and focussing on their careers
Todays women are more stressed out and under pressure than ever before, according to new research released today. Three quarters (74%) feel they have to get things done twice as fast as their Mothers did, leading to 54% finding it harder to unwind and 40% having sleepless nights.
The study conducted by Nurofen Express forms the basis of the Twice As Fast Generation report which uncovers how modern women balance the demands made on their time. Looking at work, home and family life, it compares which parts of their life are sped or sailed through, how that differs from their own Mothers lifestyles and the resulting consequences.
The majority of women (90%) believe todays pace of life has definitely increased since their parents generation so theyre struggling to dedicate enough time to all aspects of their lives. This has caused over half (56%) to feel more stressed and a shocking 53% to suffer more headaches as a result.
One huge discrepancy between the generations is the issue of returning to work after starting a family. Only a third (31%) of todays over 50s re-joined the workforce within a year of having a baby, compared to twice as many (62%) women nowadays. For lots of women, this is a positive choice that enables them to progress their career while juggling a family. And perhaps at the moment, its equally driven by the pressure felt because of todays difficult economic climate.
Whatever the reason is, two thirds of women today (68%) admit to prioritising work over families and thats not surprising, given theyre feeling the following in the workplace:
Two thirds (66%) feel that clients and employers expect more for their money these days
Almost half (47%) feel stressed due to competition among colleagues for promotion, with a further 42% attributing this to competition between men and women specifically
Added to this pressure, over a third (37%) of todays women feel theyre expected to rise through the ranks twice as fast as their mothers. This emphasis on work means women are spending less time on themselves and at home with their families. Yet when asked what theyd do with more time, these women still place more importance on those around them than on their own needs:
Two thirds (62%) would socialise more with friends
Over half (58%) would spend time with their families
Less than half (48%) would choose to catch up on sleep
A third (34%) would have more sex
Corinne Sweet, leading psychologist and author, says, Its interesting to see how our lives are differing from those of our Mothers. Modern women are mistresses of multitasking.
Our 24/7, pressured lives particularly affect women who are still largely seen as the hub of family life. Pressure to compete and succeed in all areas of life, has never been so great, and single women are pushed to feel they ought to find the perfect partner, too. Most women in the modern world are 'time poor', meaning life is rushing by twice as fast as in their mothers' generation.
Finding 'me' time can be a huge challenge, as trying to balance work, home, love-life and family, inevitably comes first. So, most women need to take time out to recharge their batteries, otherwise burnout beckons," Sweet concludes.
Other key findings from the report show how technology has become integral in helping todays women speed through their days:
90% rely on mobile phones to make calls on the go
83% regularly shop on the internet
80% conduct all their banking online
87% rely on their microwaves to prepare meals and 67% spend up to 15 minutes every day using it
Corinne Sweet gives her top tips for coping with life in the fast lane:
1. Recognise you have important emotional and physical needs - learn to meet them for yourself
2. Learn to meditate for five minutes a day - on the bus/tube; at lunchtime, in the shower/bath - it will help expand time
3. Take a minute to get out of your office chair, away from the computer, and stretch, shake, move around, to re-energise during work time
4. Exercise by taking the stairs, walking up escalators, getting off the bus one stop early, or go to a short exercise class once a week
5. Watch caffeine, sugar, nicotine and alcohol intake, as these stimulants and depressants actually slow you down long-term, and can give you a headache and other symptoms
6. Get enough sleep - research shows you need to get to bed before midnight to be fresh the next day
7. Cat-nap if you can. If you feel tired, and can snooze for ten minutes, this can lower your heart rate, and refresh energy levels, and help you get through the day
8. Learn to say 'no'. You can say it politely and firmly - you can't do everything and you'll burn out trying to. Set limits and work out your priorities
9. Put yourself first. It may feel uncomfortable, but putting yourself first allows other people to take responsibility
10. Encourage a relaxed state to help you sleep by having a warm milky drink at bedtime (not alcohol), reading a book, and sticking to routine as far as possible
11. Do five minutes of stretching, yoga or meditation to calm down if your mind is whirring - make a list of everything on your mind, keep paper and pen by the bed, and even write it down if you wake up at night