Dr Libby Weaver is the author of Rushing Woman's Syndrome - a phenomenon affecting many women these days. She was in Rotorua this week to speak about the syndrome and spoke to The Daily Post reporter Abigail Hartevelt.
Women feeling frantic about their day need to pause and ask themselves "what's the worst that can happen if they don't get a certain task done that day".
"Will it matter in two minutes, two days, two years or 20 years?" Dr Libby was speaking in Rotorua this week at her seminar, Body Basics - A Guide To Optimal Health.
As a specialist in weight loss, women's health and nutrition, the Auckland woman travels New Zealand and other parts of the world holding seminars and workshops. Later this year, she will attend the world's largest health convention in the United States as a keynote speaker next to Larry King and Dr Oz.
Dr Libby's second book Rushing Woman's Syndrome - a concept she thought of while writing her first book - helps readers to understand the biochemical and emotional effects of always being in a hurry and the resulting health consequences.
"So many women come to see me who are experiencing serious health issues which have essentially manifested from constant rushing. It doesn't seem to matter if a woman has two things to do in her day or 200, she is in a pressing rush to do it all," she says.
More than 70 per cent of New Zealand women have irritable bowel syndrome and stress can be a contributing factor, she says.
More than 90 per cent of women worldwide have PMT (Premenstrual syndrome) which can include painful breasts, heavy clotting and mood swings. Dr Libby says while women think PMT is common, it is not normal.
"A period should just turn up. There should be zero symptoms."
Long-term, rushing woman's syndrome can lead to health problems surrounding fertility, PMT, digestion problems, stress and unexplained weight loss or gain.
Dr Libby helps women get to the heart of "why they do what they do when they know what they know".
"It's not a lack of education which leads a woman to polish off a packet of chocolate biscuits after dinner. It's their craving for sugar or it's their emotions."
She generally knows when she first meets a woman whether she suffers from rushing woman's syndrome. "There is a real intensity in their face."
Caffeine plays a part in the syndrome and she believes women need to get honest with the volume they drink.
"Caffeine drives the body to make adrenalin.
"When making adrenalin it communicates that your life is in danger."
Dealing with pressure can be about attitude.
She says while one woman may feel pressure seeing 400 emails on her return from holiday another woman's attitude to seeing that number of emails may be "oh well if it's important they will call me".
We have a copy of Dr Libby's two books Rushing Woman's Syndrome and Accidently Overweight to give away. If you would like a copy email your name, phone number and postal address to readers@dailypost.co.nz with Rushing Woman's Syndrome competition in the message line or send your entry to Abigail Hartevelt, The Daily Post, PO Box 1442 by 4pm, June 22.
How To Know If You Have Rushing Woman's Syndrome
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You feel like everything is urgent. -
You always check your cellphone. -
You are reliant on caffeine. -
You have problems with your digestive system. -
Have a low libido. -
Suffer a lot with periods.
Steps You Can Take to Deal With The Syndrome
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Take five minutes a day to focus on long, slow breaths. -
Limit caffeine consumption - swap caffeine for green tea. -
Try yoga, tai chi or pilates. -
Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time - get a minimum of seven hours' sleep a night. -
Start the day with a decent breakfast containing eggs. -
Have five servings of green vegetables a day. -
Be grateful. It's impossible to be stressed when you are grateful. -
Find time for down-time.
To find out if you have Rushing Woman's Syndrome visit www.rushingwomanssyndrome.com
