By Lacey J. Manning
Between work, school, church, friends and family, BYU women, like their counterparts throughout the world, often find themselves teetering on the seesaw of life.
A recently published book, “Confessions of an Unbalanced Woman,” discusses solutions to problems over-loaded women experience in today”s society.
The author, Emily Watts, focuses on God as the solution for struggling with imbalance in life.
“When we see ourselves through the lens of God”s love, we”re calmer, better able to love our lives and much less inclined to worry about the external things that the world tends to focus on,” Watts said.
In her book, Watts recounts some of her personal experiences dealing with unbalance in life.
Terry O”Brien, a mom and manager of Deseret Book, which published “Confessions of an unbalanced Woman,” said she was able to better prioritize her time after she read Watts book. What she once thought was important really wasn”t once she looked at the big picture, O”Brien said.
“[The book] puts into perspective all that is important,” she said.
Using humor in her book, Watts represents the optimism she suggests her readers try to have, Watts said.
“When we choose to focus on the good, it becomes much easier to see each other as I believe our Father in Heaven sees us,” Watts said in her book. “And that”s a lot happier way to live.”
In a phone interview, Watts said she also thinks focusing on the good in life allows women not to put so much pressure on themselves.
Female students at BYU also experience the pressures of life.
Stress seems to be a big problem among the women who go to BYU”s Women”s Services and Resources seeking assistance said Kristy Malone, undergraduate program coordinator for Women”s Services.
Short-term counseling is available from Women”s Services for female students who struggle with finding balance and who face other concerns. If after one to three visits women want additional assistance, then they can go to the counseling center.
“Often those who go to counseling find their lives out of balance,” Malone said.
In order to combat stress and imbalance Malone said there are things women can do, such as eating healthy and getting enough sleep, which college students often forget to do.
“Eating healthy will help your body to function at its best, which makes you better equipped to deal with stress than if you are unhealthy,” Malone said.
Women”s Services held six healthy eating workshops during Spring Term discussing the benefits of healthy eating, giving grocery-shopping tips, suggesting healthy eating options and demonstrating ways to make healthy recipes.
In the fall there will be workshops on healthy relationships and anger management.
Some students find time management the best way to decrease stress.
Lori Iraheta a freshman from Boston, said she finds if she prioritizes, then work seems more manageable. Her motto is, “Take it one step at a time.”
BYU student, Karena Lofgreen, a freshman from Phoenix, Ariz., said her solution to imbalance is not allowing herself to have fun until the work is done.
“Do homework first so everything else will run smoothly,” Lofgreen said.
