Indian Women Most Stressed In The World

A recent survey by Nielsen ratings has found alarming results. The country that gave the world, stress reduction techniques like Transcendental meditation is having the world’s most stressed out women. Yes, Indian women are the most stressed in the world.

According to the survey conducted in 21 countries and covering nearly 6500 women, 87 percent of Indian women felt stressed out all the time due to work and family related pressures while 82 percent said that they do not have time for themselves. India is considered a booming economy and naturally the women work force experiences the same challenges and opportunities as men in Indian companies and workplaces. The joint and extended family systems that are still prevalent in many families often lead to expectations at the home front too. As a result, married women between 25 to 55 years of age experience the biggest amount of work and domestic stress. According to a prominent sociologist, the reason for this is there is little or no social help and physical infrastructure like daycares, reliable domestic help etc. Many experts also feel that the rigid social structure and class society of India could be stressful not only to women but also men.

Another study also found that men and women (whichever country they may be in) react to stress in different ways. While men adopt the “fight or flight” response, women “tend and befriend” trying to draw support from those closest to them. Often women feel the physical symptoms of stress more than men.

The increased use of cigarettes and alcohol, drug use, eating less or overeating ,irregular menstrual cycles, cramps, high blood pressure are some of the signs and symptoms of stress in women.