Work Stress

Work Stress

Most of the jobs these days involve some degree of stress which affects people at all levels within an organization, including the top representatives, managers, and senior leaders.

What do we mean by 'workplace stress'?

Work related stress is the reply or reaction of an individual to his/her inability to meet the demand and pressures of their job. Stress at work occurs mainly due to an imbalance between the requirements of the role, capacities of an individual, and resources needed to complete a task.

Signs of work stress :

Stress is a natural response to the needs of work. It can be constructive in short breaks, helping you stay sharp and give your best. However, excessive and continued job stress can damage your mental health. Also, stress can add to the growth of many mental disorders, making an existing condition worse. Moreover, stress can affect your life outside work and increase your chance of damage, fatigue, and burnout. So, it is utterly important to know how to beat stress at work or how to manage stress at work.

What causes stress at work?

• What causes stress at work?
• The odd timing of shift work
• Time pressure
• Setting unrealistic goals
• Having poor control over your work
• Not getting adequate support from executives, managers, and co-workers
• Job insecurity
• High mental task requirements
• A lack of task clarity
• Poor communication
• Dispute with co-workers or managers
• Bullying
• Emotionally draining work
• Low salaries.
• Fewer opportunities for growth.
• Absence of social support

Knowing your own stress:

Understanding what is adding to your stress allows you to look at the appropriate ways to pick up steps to manage stress or learn managing stress at work. You may have recognized various things in the above list, which can be helpful to trace the things that are influencing your stress levels. Depression, ,anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse, are some of the adverse effects of stress in the workplace.

How to deal with stress at work?

• Track your stressors: Keep a written track of your thoughts for a week or two to recognize the situations which create the most stress and your response towards it. Taking notes will enable you to know how to cope with stress at work, accommodating you to notice patterns between your stressors and your reactions.
• Develop healthy responses: Rather than combating stress with junk food or alcohol, make sure to pick healthy alternatives when you feel the rise in tension. Building a healthy way of life, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, having a good sleep, regular communication with friends and family is one of the great steps to deal with stress.
• Create boundaries: In today's digital society, it's natural to feel the pressure of being available 24/7. Set some work-life barriers for yourself like making a rule of not checking email from home in the evening, or not responding to any phone call during the dinner time.
• Take out some time to recharge: It is important to take some moments to replenish yourself and avoid the adverse effects of prolonged stress and burnouts. Switching off from work is important to feel at ease and unwind yourself and proceed back to work feeling refreshed and eager to deliver your best.
• Learn how to relax: Methods such as meditation, long and deep breathing practices can melt away stress like ice in hot summers. The strength to focus on a single movement without any diversion will not only help you perform well in work but also will make you able to manage various other aspects of life too.
• Talk to your supervisor: Good health and wellbeing of an employee are associated with productivity at work. Having clear communication with your supervisor can help in dealing with stress at work. The sole purpose of practicing healthy discussion is to manage the stressors and being able to boost your productivity coping with stress at work.
• Get some support: Taking help from trusted colleagues and family members can enhance your skill to handle stress. Your employer may also have stress management support accessible through an employee assistance program (EAP). If you continue to feel sunk by work stress, you can take the help of a psychologist or a counselor, who can assist you on how to handle stress at work effectively.

Resources

Mental Health America
www.mentalhealthamerica.net