Work-related stress is a common response to pressures exceeding our ability to cope. A certain amount of stress in work may be perceived as acceptable, or even healthy, by an individual. However, when that pressure becomes unmanageable, it becomes an issue that can damage both an employee’s health and their performance.
Symptoms of work-related stress
The signs or symptoms of work-related stress can be physical, psychological, and behavioral.
Physical symptoms may include:
· Fatigue
· Muscular tension
· Heart palpitations
· Sleeping difficulties, such as insomnia
· Dermatological disorders
Psychological symptoms may include:
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Irritability
· Feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to cope
· Reduced ability to concentrate or make decisions
Behavioral symptoms may include:
· An increase in sick days or absenteeism
· Aggression
· Diminished creativity and initiative
· A drop in work performance
· Problems with interpersonal relationships
· Mood swings
· Lower tolerance of frustration and impatience
· Disinterest
· Isolation
Causes of Workplace Stress
The first step to feeling better is to identify the cause of your stress.
Excessive workload
Workload is one of the most common causes of work-related stress. If the work volume or the deadlines are outside of your capability, that is likely to become a major source of pressure.
Lack of control
Work-related stress is made worse when you feel that you have little control. Common areas beyond our control at work are; work processes, decision-making, performance targets.
Lack of support
Work-related stress is made worse if employees are not receiving enough support from colleagues’ supervisors or managers.
Senior staff
Managers play an important role in the mental health of their employees. Managers who are critical, overly demanding overbearing supportive, or bullying will inevitably be an enormous source of stress. What they say, feel, and, do has a huge influence on their colleague’s emotional well-being.
Peers
Peer support at work can increase resilience in employees, so it’s no surprise that a lack of this support may cause increased stress in the workplace.
Job security
It’s not enough for employers to simply provide job security. Instead, to really support employees’ stress levels, organizations and leaders must also provide other levels of support – from workload management to on-the-job training.
Poor working conditions
Employees can become stressed if their work environment is uncomfortable, or influences unhealthy behaviors – like minimal movement.
How to reduce stress at work:
· Establish boundaries
· Organize some ‘me time’ (outside work)
· Try practicing mindfulness
· Take short breaks throughout the day
· Eat healthy and nutritious foods
· Exercising to take your mind off it
· Get enough sleep
· Avoid unhealthy habits (e.g. alcohol or smoking) as a coping mechanism
· Try to be positive/have a positive outlook
· Be realistic
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