Durham doctor gives tips on how to avoid "The Superwoman Complex"
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Working moms trying to "do it all" may be suffering from The Superwoman Complex, which is the false belief that one person can be all things, to all people, perfectly.
But trying to live up to those standards can take its toll emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Nicole Swiner is a doctor in Durham as well as an author. She's combined both of her passions in a new book entitled "How to Avoid the Superwoman Complex."
"It has that theme of helping women to balance life, health, family, work, without being stressed out all the time, anxious all the time, depressed, and all that stuff," Swiner said.
The book includes a collection of articles she's written and published over the last eight years pertaining to specific health issues impacting women.
It also includes simple tips, such as, "taking care of yourself. That means emotionally, mentally, physically, you know, getting a massage, or exercise more," explained Swiner.
Swiner is also a proponent of getting enough sleep.
"It's extremely important from a medical standpoint, a mental health standpoint, go to bed. Don't stay up until 2-3 a.m. doing things, washing clothes."
It's important to be able to say no, according to Swiner.
"You don't have to be on every committee, every organization, you don't have to be chair of everything at church," she said. "Pick the important things and prioritize."
Swiner said she's been passing this advice along to patients through her practice for years, but now she's hoping to reach a broader audience.
Swiner hopes many of the overworked, over-fatigued moms she sees will heed some of this advice. And, as a working mom herself, she's also trying to practice what she preaches.
Her book is already available on Amazon and Kidle as well as at the Regulator Bookstore in Durham.
