Imagine this—you’ve had a shitter of a day. Everything’s going wrong, you haven’t even had time to eat lunch because work is busting your (metaphorical) balls, so now you’re HANGRY. Everyone on the road seems to have forgotten how to drive, and your blood is a whisper away from boiling. You’re just about holding it together when—bam!—your coat pocket gets stuck on the door handle as you’re trying to make a mad dash for the loo. All of this leaves you in some serious need of stress relief.
Sound familiar?
It’s a lot. Life is throwing shit at you faster than E. Honda’s slapping skills in Street Fighter (IYKYK).
Adulting sucks. And you know what sucks more? That Bob at work, who spends half his day on the phone to IT getting his password reset, is probably earning more than you—simply because his name is Bob.
Now, I’m not here to push you to your limits. I just want to take a moment to acknowledge International Women’s Day and the progress that’s been made in the last 100 years—because yes, there has been progress. But let’s be real: there’s still a long way to go.
It’s Stressful Being a Woman. Full Stop.
Juggling all the balls (metaphorical or not), and most of us are not professional jugglers. Burnout in women is a real thing—something that can sneak up on us until it feels like it’s got squatters' rights in our brains.
Burnout actually affects women more than men—partly because we tend to carry the emotional and mental load on top of everything else. Studies show that women are more likely to report symptoms of burnout, especially those juggling careers, caregiving, and societal expectations.
Some Signs of Burnout Include:
Do you recognise any of these burnout symptoms in you?
- Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained even after a full night’s sleep.
- Cynicism: That “I can’t be arsed” attitude about everything.
- Reduced performance: Struggling to concentrate or get anything done.
If these were on a bingo card – are you shouting ‘Full House’ right now?
It’s hardly a surprise we’re all at risk of burnout. It’s a brutal world out there—fast-paced, relentless, and no rest for the wicked.
Burn Out Be Gone: Cheaper Than a Deserted Island Getaway
While escaping to a deserted island might sound ideal, let me offer some slightly cheaper stress management alternatives that won’t break the bank.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR):
Ever feel like you’re just a human ball of aches and pains, ready to explode at any moment? PMR is a brilliant stress relief technique to help you feel more grounded, it involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups, helping you feel more grounded.
Breathwork: Your Built-in Stress Reliever
Our breath is our biggest ally. Techniques like box breathing (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4) or 4-7-8 breathing (inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8) are effective breathing techniques for anxiety relief. It can help calm your nervous system quickly. Experiment with different techniques, it’s all about finding what feels right for you.
- Micro-Breaks (Yes, Really):
I know this one sounds annoying AF, but hear me out, these stress management tips can help shift your energy. I’ve dropped in some suggestions that take a minute or two, but get creative and find ways to incorporate micro-breaks into your day.
- Find a toilet in the office that’s a bit further away and take the scenic route.
- Hover by the kettle for an extra minute or two.
- “Accidentally” leave your lunch in the car so you have to walk back and get it.
Burnout Got You in a Chokehold?
If you’re feeling like burnout’s got you in a chokehold, hypnotherapy can help relieve stress and build resilience. It works by reprogramming the subconscious—feeding it all the good stuff and letting go of what’s no longer serving you.
I often weave in somatic coaching and PMR into my client work because, honestly, who doesn’t want to leave feeling all zen and chill?
Client Story: From Frazzled to Feeling in Control
One of my clients—let’s call her Emma—came to me feeling totally overwhelmed. Work stress, kids, the whole lot. After a few sessions focused on stress reduction techniques like PMR and breathwork, she started to notice a real difference. She felt more in control, less snappy with her partner, and actually started to look forward to her sessions.
Curious About Hypnotherapy?
If you’re wondering about the benefits of hypnotherapy for stress relief, let’s chat. You don’t have to keep running on empty—small steps can lead to big changes.
I’m here rooting for you because, let’s be honest, we don’t get paid enough for this shit.