| Stress in the workplace is not an uncommon | | | | even the potential loss of your job. An unwanted result |
| experience, in fact anyone who feels under pressure | | | | that will only add to your stress levels. If workplace |
| to perform tasks within a given time-span is likely to | | | | stress cannot be avoided it's important you learn to |
| feel stressed. Understanding the causes and | | | | manage it properly. |
| symptoms of work related stress will help you to | | | | Managing Work Related Stress |
| understand how you can avoid or deal with it. | | | | Just like the normal stress that you experience in your |
| There are a wide variety of factors that cause work | | | | everyday life, stress in the workplace can be |
| related stress and a wide variety of symptoms. You | | | | managed and even eliminated in a wide variety of |
| should be on the lookout for reactions to this stress in | | | | effective ways. There is no reason to sit idly by while |
| both yourself and other work colleagues. This short | | | | stress wreaks havoc on your emotions and physical |
| guide to stress at work can help you recognize and | | | | condition. Take action now, and give some of the |
| cope with these reactions and show you how to deal | | | | following methods a try. |
| with them one step at a time. | | | | - Ask for help -- to make your work environment |
| Causes of Stress in the Workplace | | | | more comfortable, physically and mentally. If your |
| On average, one out of every six employees will | | | | employer isn't providing you with a comfortable place |
| experience a high level of work related stress and this | | | | to work, ask the Human Resources or Health and |
| is currently the number one cause of employee sick | | | | Safety organizer of your company for help. |
| leave. However, there isn't a single cause that will | | | | - Don't work long hours for months on end -- |
| normally trigger a stressful atmosphere, rather, several | | | | Occasionally long hours are needed and acceptable, |
| factors will combine to produce a stressful workplace | | | | but continually repeating the process over a long |
| and these can include: | | | | period of time will only lead to a build up of |
| - Poor working conditions | | | | unnecessary stress. The lack of any free time or of a |
| - A lack of job security. | | | | social life and a loss of contact with your friends and |
| - Poor relationships with co-workers or superiors. | | | | family will eventually impact badly on your mental and |
| - Too much responsibility due to inadequate or the lack | | | | physical health. |
| of proper training. | | | | - Treat your colleagues with respect -- and ask that |
| - Too many work hours and feeling over-worked or | | | | they do the same for you. Even if you don't see eye |
| unappreciated | | | | to eye with some colleagues and sometimes need to |
| - An inflexible work schedule. | | | | agree to disagree. |
| - A lack of mutual respect and recognition. | | | | - Get plenty of exercise -- Even gentle exercise will |
| Various combinations of these factors will adversely | | | | work off your stress and frustration. There's no real |
| affect your own self -respect, your productivity and | | | | need to join a Gym or invest in expensive home gym |
| your enjoyment of the job you do. You can and should | | | | equipment. Just try to have a walk in the park or along |
| learn to recognise the symptoms these factors | | | | the riverside everyday. Walk into town and spend your |
| produce in yourself and your colleagues. | | | | lunch hour window shopping and use the stairs instead |
| Symptoms of Stress in the Workplace | | | | of the elevator. |
| Work related stress can have a wide variety of | | | | - Use meditation to learn how to relax -- Meditation |
| effects on you both mentally and physically. It can be | | | | can relieve stress and put you at ease in even the |
| draining to return to a job day after day which you | | | | most stressful of situations. It's not mumbo jumbo or |
| don't enjoy, and that produces a a high level of stress | | | | just for the green eco-friendly geeky types. A little |
| which you internalise. Some of the symptoms you or | | | | quiet time is good for the soul and helps your mind |
| your co-workers might be suffering from due to stress | | | | de-stress and re-organize your thoughts. |
| in the workplace can include: | | | | Recognize and manage the stress in your workplace |
| - Headaches | | | | and you will enjoy the buzz that a busy workplace can |
| - Stomach Aches | | | | give. That enjoyment will show in your physical and |
| - Excessive Sweating | | | | mental outlook, your employers will soon recognize that |
| - Increased heart rate and anxiety | | | | you can manage and deal with stressful situations and |
| - Inconsistent Eating Habits. Rushed meals and | | | | that will avoid any problems with recognition and |
| excessive fast food. | | | | reward. |
| - Rashes | | | | Stress in the workplace can be a major problem for |
| - Troubled or restless sleep and an inability to switch | | | | many employees but it should never be a major or |
| off. | | | | even regular part of your working life. If you can |
| - Irritability and anxiousness | | | | recognize the symptoms and understand the causes |
| In addition to the above symptoms, your on job | | | | of work related stress, you can take the steps |
| performance can begin to deteriorate as a result of | | | | needed to manage and avoid it. |
| work related stress. This can result in demotion or | | | | |