Why the pressure to be perfect is impacting our mental health

We all make mistakes, to err is human, and so on. These phrases are clichés for a reason, and yet many of us continue to strive for perfection in our personal, professional and social lives.

Sophia Durrani, managing partner, strategy at media agency UM explains that they recently carried out some research to see how prevalent this feeling is, as it has major implications for how people behave – and, more importantly, for their ongoing mental health. It revealed that 41% of the 1,683 adults from UK and Ireland we surveyed – with a roughly equal gender split – would describe themselves as ‘perfectionists’.

That figure is highest in young adults, as more than half of those aged 16-24 and around half of 25-34s identify that way.

Unsurprisingly, that need for perfection puts a lot of pressure on our shoulders – and it seems women are facing the perfect storm, both in the workplace and from society at large. The study further revealed that women are not just perfectionists but they feel the pressure to be perfect the most acutely: 75% say as much, compared to 62% of male respondents. Some of the biggest areas where they feel this pressure are being a parent, being attractive and meeting family expectations.

In addition, and perhaps most relevantly for the business community, around a third of adults say they feel the most pressure while at work. Although more men say they feel this pressure than women, they’re rarely under pressure to “be attractive”, “look nice” and “always be on good form” in the workplace the way women are. The research found that these pressures affected females the most.

Frankly, these figures should be a wake-up call to managers about mental health in the workplace, particularly for their female employees. A huge amount has been written about the negative effects of stress, and according to the Health & Safety Executive more than 11 million days are lost at UK businesses every year because of stress at work. If nearly half of employees consider themselves perfectionists, with all the associated pressures that entails, that figure is unlikely to go down without serious help.

These findings highlight that businesses need to do more to respond to the challenges of this constant pressure to be perfect – to do more to help their employees in the moments that matter. Hence more and more are developing initiatives designed to reduce stress and bring balance back to their employees’ lives.

In some cases, that means smarter, more agile working practices and understanding that not everyone works the same way. Email policies, for example, can reduce pressure on employees by noting that an immediate response outside working hours, even to a message from the boss, is not expected.

There are other potential initiatives for businesses to try too: ranging from mindfulness meditation to health and fitness courses to flexible and remote working. And let’s not forget the impact that one-to-one coaching can have on employees’ wellbeing in the workplace.

But it has to be more than this. Yes, these programmes are really helpful in helping employees manage stress, but this doesn’t get to the root of the problem. We need to radically rethink our attitudes to what’s realistic, as opposed to the ideal outcome in the workplace.

Essentially, something has to give. It isn’t feasible to be a high-flying executive and a domestic goddess managing an unfair share of the domestic load and to be the perfect parent. Yet we try and that’s simply not possible unless we can afford help or have (willing) family living nearby. Let’s be realistic, the former is highly unlikely for the average millennial. And then there’s the constant guilt: either you aren’t achieving at work, or you’re letting down your nearest and dearest.

Perfectionism means everything takes longer. And so either you put in the extra hours, or other things start to slip. Either way, perfectionism can breed stress and ultimately leads to burnout. It’s little wonder that there’s a lack of senior women in the highest echelons of the business world – and that’s not healthy for anyone.

Photo by Gokil on Unsplash

How to choose the perfect dining table for your home

Decision Making is often difficult when you have numerous choices. Specifically, when you are choosing a furniture piece, you find yourself in a tangle.

You have an enormous choice to make a decision from an each once feels a good one. However, you should ensure selecting the right one. Choosing a dining table is always an overwhelming matter. You must acknowledge what to look for before you make buying decision. Dining tables must work your budget, solidly designed, and fit in the space. Following are a few factors that you should consider before choosing perfect dining table for your home:

Measure the size of the table

The first thing that your dining table must do is fit in your space. You need to measure a couple of things including the size of the dining table and the space available in your room. You can’t buy a great sized dining table in a small room because it would disturb the whole combination of the furniture in the room.

In addition, it would lessen the space for other décor options or interior in the room. Visualize how the dining table would look in the room by taking the time to block out the height, width, and length of the table. In case you have reasonable space, go for the bigger dining table. In case of tighter space, look for smaller options.

Think about your needs before buying the table

This is probably the most important factor to consider prior to purchasing the table. The crucial thing in this regard is to fulfill your needs. Rectangular and square tables are common with greater choices with sizes, styles, extendable options and tablecloth sizes according to Simply Tablecloths.

Here you neo figure out what would accomplish your requirements. A round table would be useful if your rooms are smaller, and you need a space-saving option. On the other hand, if you like stylish interior and you have space in your rooms; you can choose the rectangular tables. In addition, a rectangular table would serve your needs if you have guests often visiting you.

Select the right materials for your table

The material is another aspect to be taken care of before making a choice regarding the dining table. It is hard to know which material to be used. You need to balance ease of care, price, and personal preference of style. Wood along with the glass are the two most common materials being used in the furniture. Both solid wood and glass offer durability and strength. Solid wood is easier to repair while glass enhances the beauty of the table. Solid wood is a little expensive, but it provides greater durability as compared to glass. Glass is elegant and shiny.

Look for reliable and sturdy construction

A good dining table is well-constructed and sturdy. You need to make sure that the tables are sturdy with a good finish that withstands great use. The material is the greatest part of the construction, but the table is just as solid as joinery.