Her thoughts are seconded by Riddhi Gandhi, therapist at The Mood Space. “How women perceive and respond to work-related demands on their time is driven by their sense of perfectionism, the desire to avoid failure and the weight of societal expectations. The fear of disappointing colleagues or appearing incapable can drive women to undertake more than they can bear. Factor in the ever-present spectre of imposter syndrome, where accomplishments are perceived as mere luck rather than competence, and these internal narratives can amplify the sense of urgency, pushing women to prove themselves with every tick of the clock,” she says.
Against this backdrop, the notion of time stress—the feeling of having too many things to do and not enough time to do them—has been deemed a societal epidemic that compromises productivity, physical health and emotional well-being. Recent studies have concluded that women are more liable to time stress than their male counterparts at work, as they avoid asking for additional time to complete work tasks—even when deadlines are explicitly adjustable—ultimately undermining their well-being and task performance.
How to combat time stress in the workplace
The first step towards a more equitable workplace starts by setting clear priorities, believes Gandhi. “Setting boundaries, delegating when possible, seeking mentorship, negotiating flexible work arrangements and learning to assertively say no can help prevent feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Building a support network, both at work and at home, can facilitate a healthier work-life balance,” she recommends.
On the managerial side, Gandhi believes that regular check-ins are necessary. “Assessing the workload through regular one-on-one meetings can be an effective way to discuss challenges, offer guidance and provide an opportunity to address time stress before it escalates. Most importantly, managers need to take an empathetic lens in their approach to create a supportive environment.”
For Saleh, the road towards unlearning the feelings of unworthiness started with putting her hand up and making it known when she needed support at work. “I am trying to make sure colleagues are aware of what I am able to commit to and not just saying yes to everything I can. I do still feel FOMO and worry that I’m not progressing as much in my career as I could be but the only way to break through is with a positive working environment where colleagues, male and female, are working with each other, rather than against each other,” she signs off.
Also read:
Feeling stressed? Here are 6 expert-backed ways to help you cope
10 Ways to Reduce Stress in Daily Life
Why stress might be the reason behind your delayed period
