It's not an aspiration, but an illness that experts say is spreading furiously. iTALK tells you all about HWS, and how to cure it
It's not an aspiration, but an illness that experts say is spreading furiously. iTALK tells you all about HWS, and how to cure it
Juggling a handful of tasks at work, play and home doesn't feel like a disease, but when women fall ill trying to be flawless mothers, competent professionals and perfect homemakers, something has got to be done. The Hurried Woman Syndrome (HWS) was first coined by US researcher Dr Brent Bost, who said it tends to affect women who try and do too many things in a short span of time. He says women betweenu00a0 25 and 55, some with kids under 16, who have time-consuming emotional and practical needs, are at a high risk.
The illness is typically caused by chronic stress that stems from the demands of juggling work with a hectic family life. Symptoms range from tiredness and weight gain to a lack of motivation.
"Some women strive hard at performing their best in every sphere. They want to see their kids excel at academics, they want to impress the boss, and manage household chores well enough not to upset the husband or parents," says Anjali Chhabria, psychotherapist at Mind Temple.
To start with, you need to realise that your home and/or office will survive even if you don't spread yourself thin enough to fall flat in the face of exhaustion.
Listen to some music, give your kids some chores
>>Do one thing at a time. Instead of talking on the phone while answering emails and helping your child do homework, go linear; it won't take longer.
>>If you like music, use it to beat stress. Music is a very powerful tool for reducing stress.
>>Go for a walk, use the treadmill or hop on a bicycle. Regular exercise builds stamina and burns the chemicals that makes you feel stressed. Exercise also releases feel-good endorphins in the brain that will lighten your mood as you strengthen your body.
>>Learn to delegate. For instance, if you have children, you may want to consider giving each of them age-appropriate chores like doing the dishes or vacuuming to help you around the house. It will lessen your stress and teach the kids valuable lessons.
>>Compartmentalise your life. For example, if your professional life is stressful, make a conscious decision not to bring your work home with you. Once you leave your office, try and focus all of your energy on friends, family, and relaxation.
>>Make to-do lists to help you out. But be flexible and adapt your schedule to changing needs. Write down all the things that you want to do in a specific time. This list is a reminder. Use it to set daily priorities and to reduce decision-making.
She does it all: Page 3 parties, late-night shoots and raising triplets
Who? Choreographer, director and mother to one year-olds Diva, Anya and Czar, Farah Khan
What stresses you out?
It gets particularly stressful when I am directing a film or choreographing a major sequence, and trying to keep things going at home too.
Do you recall a time when you were most worried?
Just recently, I was on the set of a film and got a call to say that my baby was not feeling well. I couldn't get myself to concentrate on work. I had to rush home.
How do you behave in such situations?
I start feeling restless, get impatient. My mind turns into blank mode; I cannot figure out what is to be done next.
How do you relax?
A foot massage is my favourite quick mantra to relax. It's an easy way to beat stress.
If you have HWS, kiss your sex life goodbye
Dr Sheetal sabharwal, Gyneacologist
An increase in stress leads to the release of male-dominant hormones in a woman's body, upsetting the hormonal balance between male and female hormones. It can cause emotional disconnect with your partner too. Because you are tired all the time, you might end up treating sex like a chore rather than
pleasure.
>>Combat stress by indulging in activities that make you happy.
>>Spend quality time with your partner. If you bridge the communication gap, your sex life is automatically likely to improve.
Take this quiz to check if you have HWS
Do you find it difficult to fall sleep even after a long and tiring day?
(a) Yes
(b) Nou00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
(c) Sometimes
Are you not losing weight, despite following a diet plan and exercising regularly?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Can't figure out
Do you feel guilty if you forget to perform a household chore?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Depends on the situation
Are you incessantly thinking about your kids and home, when at work, and vice versa?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Sometimes
How often do experience memory lapses?
(a) Most of the times
(b) Only when too busy
(c) Never
How often do you experience hair loss?
(a) On a daily basis
(b) Only after a wash
(c) Rarelyu00a0
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