Stress In The Workplace

Job stress is often a result of interactions between an employee and the working conditions of their job. This will include factors like long work hours, poor pay, and an unhappy employee s position at the company. Lack of clarity on the terms of employment, uncertainty about the future of one's job, and chaotic interpersonal problems between employees can all affect stress at work. In extreme cases, it can lead to depression, ulcers, anxiety, and other psychological symptoms.



The stress of long hours at work is very easy to identify. Many people report suffering from headaches, backaches, sore necks, insomnia, and irritability on a daily basis. These factors lead to feelings of stress and frustration that manifest themselves in a variety of negative ways in both the short-term and long-term. Long hours spent in front of a computer screen, the threat of work-related injuries and increasing costs for employers due to absenteeism due to long hours spent at a desk are all examples of work stress.



When work-related stress is not properly addressed, it can quickly lead to other health-related problems. Long hours of standing or sitting can cause muscles and joints to stiffen and can make it difficult to sit up straight, increasing the risk of back pain or another injury. Additionally, the constant demands placed on employees can lead to increased respiratory infections, high blood pressure, heart problems, and other health-related costs.



Burnout is another major symptom of increased stress levels in the workplace. Although not officially classified as burnout, workers may experience a decrease in self-esteem that manifests itself as being unable to focus on work for extended periods of time. Burnout occurs when workers cannot handle either increased workload or increased responsibilities. As these responsibilities increase, burnout intensifies, which may lead to depression and other mental health problems. Taking regular short breaks throughout the day is an effective way to reduce workplace burnout.



Long work hours placed on the shoulders of workers can also lead to increased job stress, as they are left with little time for themselves. Increasing demands placed on the employer can lead to a reduction in the employee's personal life such as time with family and friends. The reduction in personal responsibilities leads to an increase in job stress levels. Taking frequent short breaks throughout the day is an effective way to alleviate these symptoms of job stress.



As the demands continue to increase, it is not surprising that work-related anxiety can occur. Anxiety disorders can increase significantly when increasing responsibilities and demands become part of your everyday life. When your anxiety increases, you are not able to control your reactions to stressors, which often lead to negative emotional behaviors like overeating and substance abuse. Workplace demands that should be manageable can actually become impossible under the circumstances. This situation creates an environment of stress and anxiety that can lead to physical and psychological illnesses.



In order to relieve stress and improve work performance, many people turn to self-help books and stress management programs. These programs are designed to teach people how to handle themselves when placed under increased levels of responsibility. However, it is important to note that these programs do not address the actual source of your stress. Proper diagnosis is the first step in addressing your problem. Only after the root cause of your stress is found can you take steps to alleviate stress.



Many businesses and organizations offer short-term stress management programs that allow individuals to relieve stress without having to attend scheduled sessions. These programs allow you to simply relax for a few minutes each day and learn new skills in a relaxed setting. Many programs are designed to work around your schedule and work to ensure that you have the opportunity to work while feeling relaxed and stress-free. These short-term stress management programs allow you to free up valuable time to focus on your real job responsibilities.