Up until the last fifty years, women were largely excluded from universities, professions, clubs, politics, and jobs, even from written history. The paucity of their life choices undoubtedly impoverished the quality of their lives, but their roles, constricted though they were, were clearly delineated.

The feminist movement, advances in reproductive biology, cultural changes such as the increased divorce rate, and the economic forces that necessitate the two-income family have all disrupted the traditional roles assigned to women.

Think about how often you sit down without disruption and intentionally relax. Many people don’t even know when they are feeling stressed because they are so used to it. Stress typically causes physical or emotional symptoms. It may be an acceleration of heart rate, perspiration, headache, stomachache, shallow breathing, tight neck and shoulders, crying, etc. In order to reduce stress in your life, you first need to understand what it is. Some stress is unavoidable in life and can even be productive. The kind of stress that is uncomfortable, rather than motivating, is the source of energy drains. Negative stress is easily recognized if you are in touch with how your body feels.