Guest Author - Nancy Welker
Sometimes we can feel the effects of stress without openly identifying it as a problem. Even when our jobs are running smoothly and we aren't facing any known challenge or conflict, our work can cause us to feel stressed in ways of which we are not consciously aware. But whether from obvious sources or not, stress can lead to health issues all the same. In this article, I'll discuss some of the ways our work can cause us to feel tense and uncomfortable.
Leaving Your Children
Many working mothers are faced with the necessity of going off to the job each day and leaving young children to be supervised at a daycare center or by a sitter. This in itself causes some stress from separation, guilt, and even insecurity about the persons who will be responsible for your small one. It's very natural that a mom should want to know that her children are safe and happy whether or not she's actually with them, and even the smallest doubt about your job, or your child's welfare, can bring a lot of tension to your mind and your body as well.
Financial Issues
This can range from worrying about the future of your job to taking a pay-cut to finding yourself suddenly in a single-income situation, and all of them can bring about significant stress. Even if your now reduced circumstances are only temporary, getting back to the point of feeling more secure can be a challenging journey. Money shortages tend to change our lives in very important ways and one of them is a reduction of social outings and/or recreational activities, which increases that feeling of "carrying a heavy burden" you may be experiencing.
The New Job
It's never easy to change jobs, even when it's a positive move. New responsibilities and new co-workers are just two of the stumbling blocks the new employee must get past. Other issues can stem from getting to know a new supervisor or perhaps you find yourself now in the supervisor role yourself and must learn to manage a staff. Other changes such as longer commutes or relocating to an unfamiliar part of the country are also difficulties you may be dealing with that cause your stress level to skyrocket.
Losing Your Job
Possibly the biggest problem of all, especially when it comes as a shock and you cannot meet living expenses without the income, losing your job without choosing to do so is something no one can go through without a good deal of fretting and worrying. Going through the job interview process, and being turned down or having problems finding the right position also play a big role in raising stress for a person, both mentally and physically.
How To Use Yoga To Manage Work-Related Stress
Whether you're a veteran yogi or completely new to the modality, Yoga can be a lifesaver (sometimes literally so) when it comes to taking control of the stress you experience. The first step you need to take to accomplish this is to be sure to include time in your day, 30 minutes or more, to practice a peaceful and restorative Yoga routine.
There are many studios that offer Yoga classes that focus on stress management, so it's very possible you'll find helpful instruction in your area. Private lessons are usually offered as well by a large number of instructors, which in the long run can be more cost effective as you'll be learning how to practice independently at home.
For those of you who prefer the comfort of your own home to practice Yoga, you'll find a good number of books and videos on the market that give clear instructions and are available for literally every student level. If you're completely new to Yoga, you'll first need to purchase a mat, a block and strap, in addition to your books or videos. You should also have a large towel and a pillow available for use as needed.
Whatever style of Yoga you choose is based on what appeals to you and how much/little time you want to devote to learning. Below are links to articles that give you more information about the different styles of Yoga, how to create your own personal practice, and how Pranayama (breathing) techniques can be of help.
Since most of the hours in any week are spent working, it's important to be able to manage the stress that's bound to become problematic from time to time. Yoga teaches you to focus on peace and comfort, good health and happiness, and can make dealing with stress much simpler to accomplish.
Namaste, friends!
