Managing Stress In The Workplace

Working can provide our lives with structure, satisfaction and financial income, however, it can also be a cause of stress and worry. While some pressure at work is necessary to make our work fulfilling and to make us more productive, stress happens when the pressure is excessive and / or continuous and we do not have adequate recovery time. Work-related stress is one of the main causes of sick leave and research has shown that one in six people feel that their job is very or extremely stressful.

Most stress from work is the result of many smaller situations that build up over time, although work-related stress may also be triggered by a sudden or unexpected event. You can feel work-related stress due to a myriad of factors. For example, the environment in which you work, the hours and schedule you work, the dynamics of your interactions with your coworkers, not being challenged enough, or feeling too overwhelmed due to not having the skills needed to complete the job.

You can experience physical and emotional and mental problems due to work-related stress. Stress may cause physical symptoms such as digestive issues, sweating, headaches, difficulty sleeping, backaches, and tiredness. Psychological symptoms can include feelings that you cannot cope, irritability and mood swings, disturbed eating patterns, finding it hard to concentrate, feeling less motivated and a lower sex drive (libido).

You cannot just eliminate stress from work completely. You must learn to cope with your work-related stress appropriately and properly. If you are going to have a job, you will have stress. Stress can be dealt with by three simple methods:

- Learning to change how you react to a stressful event

- Reducing the way stress affects our body

- Educate yourself on other ways you can manage stress

If you have tried to cope with your work-related stress but your situation has not improved, you may need to consult with a specialist. Seeing a specialist is not a sign of weakness or an admission of defeat; it merely indicates that you realize that you have a situation that you want to improve. Your doctor will be able to spot the physical symptoms of work-related stress and they will also help you identify the causes of stress, give advice on relaxation techniques and / or refer you to a counselor.

If you feel that your stress is a result of being bullied or harassed then you need to speak to your company’s human resources or personnel department. You should not have to be the victim on the job. That is not a good situation. Most companies have policies outlining appropriate behavior, which specify the measures to take in these situations. These policies restrict the treatment of their employees and demand that everyone be respected. Remember that the law is on your side so even if your manager does not take action then you can take it without their permission.

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