"Rushing Woman's Syndrome" a term coined by Dr Libby Weaver or something I also like to refer to as "Hurry Sickness" is not a recognised medical condition, however, is certainly something many women (and men) are suffering with.
Women place a lot of expectations and pressure on themselves and each other to not only have a successful career, be an amazing mother, keep a clean house, have a flawless figure and a stylish wardrobe, keep their family happy, and maintain a busy social life to boot.
This constant rushing around after children, deadlines and laundry baskets leaves very little downtime for switching off into our parasympathetic nervous system - also known as the 'rest and digest' phase. At the end of a long day when we finally get to sit down, "Ping!" goes our mobile phone alerting us of another commitment or role we play for others.
Our nervous system interacts closely with our endocrine system (the glands in our body that secrete hormones), in particular our adrenals, ovaries, and thyroid. So when we are under a constant state of stress, the functions of these important glands are effected and the impact of a constant state of rushing around has on a woman's health is immense.
If you have a cluster of these symptoms you might be Hurry Sick:
- feeling jumpy or on edge
- easily flustered or anxious
- low mood
- bloated
- struggling to lose weight
- poor sleep
- sugar cravings
- struggling to regulate temperature: too hot or too cold
- relying on coffee to get going
- relying on alcohol to wind down
- absent or irregular menstrual cycles
- low libido
- challenges conceiving
- PMS
- severe menopausal symptoms
Do these symptoms resonate with you? Do you always respond to "how are you?" with "busy"? Do you have a mental to-do list that is never ending?
Perhaps you are suffering from Rushing Woman Syndrome and may need to make some adjustments to your lifestyle to avoid any further health consequences or reduce the ones you already experience.
Some of the best ways to begin are to start valuing the importance of rest and putting yourself first, decreasing stimulants like coffee, creating boundaries with your commitments, supporting yourself with nutritionally rich foods rather than easy or fast options, deep breathing and gentle movement instead of high intensity workouts.
If you have been in a state of rush and hurry for a long time, you may need additional support to calm your nervous system, regulate your hormones, lose weight or to heal your gut. Please speak with a practitioner to help bring balance back into your life.
Comments