A recent global study demonstrates that women are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety than men, and that the risk for women and men increases after age 35. Researchers suggest that evolutionary biology may account for women’s increased vulnerability. Women play a protective role toward their children and their home; the study suggests that women are “wired” to worry more about the safety, stability and functioning of their families and households. Women experience additional stress managing the “balancing act” of modern-day expectations—besides caring for and nurturing the home environment and those in it, women feel pressure to succeed professionally and contribute financially, as well. Some level of anxiety is unavoidable, but if nervousness, worry or obsessive, negative thinking is compromising an individual’s functioning or happiness, treatment may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, or a combination of these interventions. Self-care activities, like exercising, socializing with friends, developing a daily gratitude list, and getting adequate sleep, are essential for women to relieve stress and build resilience against daily challenges that arise. Women may be wired toward anxiety, but we also harbor expansive skills like multi-tasking,
empathizing and flexibility that allow us to artfully meet the responsibilities of our roles and relationships.