A study in Sweden reveals that blood pressure levels and serum lipid levels
have improved for middle-aged women in the past 30 years but levels of
perceived mental stress have increased. Around 1,462 middle-aged women were
part of an ongoing Swedish study to examine these characteristics of
middle-aged women. The study was initiated in the 1960s and has continued d
until today when the latest research indicated stress to have risen
significantly since the 1980s.
General Practitioner Dominique Hange, who authored the study, says, “It is
the women themselves who describe they feel stressed, and other research has
shown it is the perceived stress that is most harmful.”
During the period 1968 – 1969, it was found 28% of women stated they
suffered from stress but by 2005 the level increased to 75%.
Researchers found those women who were mentally stressed at a higher death
rate and a slightly higher incidence of breast cancer. At the same time risk
factors for cardiovascular disease have gone down because more women today
exercise in their leisure time.
According to other studies women respond to stress differently than males.
They do what is called “tend and befriend.” In other words the nurturer take
care of themselves and their children and form relationships with others.
They talk through their problems with other women. Under acute stress they
may choose the "fight or flight" response of males, but more often than not
they choose the nurturer route.
All of this adds up to an important need for women to take care of the
mental health and for families and friends to recognize that stress is a
particular burden for women. Recently the American Psychological Association
maintained women are often the primary caretakers for families and feel
stressed about financial situations, which causes them to have psychological
symptoms that include loss of sleep, changes in appetite headaches and other
physical symptoms.
Experts maintain the best way for women to cope with stress is to keep up
with good habits such as exercise, eating right, and socializing,. Women
should take time out to focus on themselves and their own well-being. At the
same time regular medical checkups are also important.
Medical experts maintain stress can impact health. Given the fact that
middle-aged women are impacted by stress particularly at the present time,
it's important to make sure this group takes the right precautions to
maintain good health.
