Loan ladies leave stress at home

Bendigo Bank's Claire Padgham, Lana Hudson and Tracy Goodwin look ahead to Stress Down Day.

IN JUST about every aspect of life, women are experiencing higher levels of stress than men, Lifeline research has found.

Results compiled by Newspoll show that 91% of women were stressed compared with 89% of men.

In addition, 46% of women indicated they were “very stressed” in their lives, compared with 41% of men.

Lifeline Ipswich and West Moreton general manager Diane Bos said the results weren't surprising.

“Women call Lifeline twice as much as men and they are talking to us about challenges faced specifically by their gender,” she said.

“Our callers are telling us they are worried about issues like work-life balance, children, self confidence and self esteem.

“Women sometimes place very high expectations on themselves and our callers indicate that this is adding to their stress levels.

“Women often feel pressure to prove themselves and this pressure is a very real challenge for women.

“This isn't to say that men are not stressed, in fact stress is a major issue for our community.”

The women at Bendigo Bank loan services department in Ipswich are taking the opportunity to kick back and relax on Lifeline's Stress Down Day this Friday by wearing slippers and comfy clothes.

Team manager Kylie McLucas says she's stressed by her child, juggling work-life balances and trying to do a good job.

“I would agree that, as a society generally, it is more stressful than a year ago,” she said.

“We're trying to squeeze more and more in, and achieve more, and there's no more time. Some stress is good. It can be a motivator but there needs to be balance.”

Visit www.stressdown.org.au.