Hug 165 Stress Awareness Month Part 4: Relationships

Last Wednesday I had 2 events on the same day (Listen to the full story.) While getting out of the car at my 2nd event, I fell and face-planted on the asphalt in the parking lot. The lesson that applies to our time today?The event was a women’s workshop sponsored by the White House Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s in my hometown, so I know the leaders – 3 wonderful women! Tim was with me, and a few minutes after the fall (I still wasn’t off the ground yet!), two of them came outside, gently helped me up, walked with me, brought me a seat and ice pack, and stayed with me until I was ready to go compose myself.WOMEN AND RELATIONSHIPS!! Such an important topic!Let’s do the same format today for our last week of Stress Awareness Month. First, revisit the Stress in America Report. Second, look deeper at the research. Next, my successes and mistakes. And, finally, tips. Here we go! (All links in show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stress-awareness-month-part-4-women-relationships)From Stress in America 2023 report (Link in first episode at ):-Women were also more likely than men to cite family responsibilities (58% vs. 52%) and relationships (49% vs. 44%) as key stressors in their lives.Then I wondered, how is this different from family responsibilities? So I looked at the questions asked in the survey. I searched for the word relationships.Here’s what I found:1. What causes you stress: Relationships (e.g., spouse, kids, girl/boyfriend)2. How many people can you talk to about what’s happening in your life (e.g., stress, relationships, etc.)? Please provide your best estimate.That’s all. The deeper dive here didn’t give me much. I also referenced what a few of the women in my study said about women (The Stress Club, pp. 90-91)Here’s a few (see show notes)So I decided to make some inferences. If it’s not about family responsibility (housework, shopping, cooking, laundry, home maintenance, child-care, etc.), it might be issues in the relationships:· Communication· Worry· Conflict· Money· Blended familiesAnd in those areas, I have done some things well, and others not so much:Successes:· Scripting and PowerPhrases· Therapy· Allowing my grown children to be grown· ApologizingMistakes:· Excessive anger· Unrealistic expectations· Focusing too much on my needs· Incorrect assumptionsSo let's get to the tips. I LOVED this article and, for the brief time we have together, I thought it was perfect: Six Tips for Building

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**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and resources.

General Resources
National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org
Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org
Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.