At A Peaceful Balance Counseling, we know that there are many stressors in life which are unique to women. Some of these stressors include major responsibilities at home and work, single parenthood, and caring for children and aging parents.
Women often experience stress from everyday events, such as planning a meal or making time for errands. Other times, the stress that women face may be more long term, such as a life-threatening illness, loss of a loved one or divorce or separation from a partner.
In addition, women's reproductive events including pregnancy, the post-pregnancy period, infertility, menopause, and sometimes, the decision not to have children, can also cause stress.
All of this stress can have powerful physical effects on a woman’s body. Some of the immediate physical effects of stress are quicker heart rates, higher blood pressure and faster breathing rates and muscle aches and pains. Stress can also have a powerful effect on a woman’s emotional health, leading to depression or anxiety. Some of the common symptoms of chronic stress are:
- trouble sleeping
- headaches
- irritability
- lack of energy
- lack of concentration
- eating too much or not at all
- feelings of anger
- feelings of sadness
- tension
- weight gain or loss
- digestive problems
- neck and/or back pain
- decrease in sexual desire
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you might benefit from counseling. Please call A Peaceful Balance Clinical Consultation and Consulting Services at (603) 577-5551, or email info@apeacefulbalance.com, to learn more about how we can help.