Workplace Stress

Did you know that at least six million people per year take sick leave and this is all because of stress? These numbers are continuously on the rise, and will be so till there is some solution for workplace stress.

Workplace stress – What is it?
We all know what workplace stress is, right? That clock ticking, deadlines to meet, targets to catch up on…the works really. But some of these ‘pressures’ can be productive and some can be horribly harming. I always thought I was the sort who performed well under pressure, but pressure and stress have new meanings for me now. While pressure and stress are all hunky dory for a short time, what happens in the long run? How does stress affect your mental, emotional and physical being in the long run? Workplace or work related any one thing doesn’t cause stress; it can be caused because of various things working in tandem. Stress is different for different people, and each person will experience different degrees of stress. Which means, some people will be stressed out with the smallest thing, and others can handle great amounts of stress without breaking a sweat.

Workplace Stress triggers
What triggers of stress at the work place? Here are typical workplace triggers:

• No control on amount of work.
• Too many time based pressures.
• Inflexibility of work hours or excessive working hours.
• Excessive work and responsibility or not enough of it.
• Lack of interest at work.
• Lack of variety of work performed.
• Lack of professional training and learning.
• Improper balance between professional and personal life.
• Difficulty in social relationships at work.
• No support from colleagues and seniors.
• No proper job prospects.
• No structure or proper organization at work.

Symptoms of Workplace Stress
Each and every person suffering from workplace stress will show some signs and symptoms, physically, emotionally or in their behavior. Here are the symptoms listed below…
Physical symptoms:

• More vulnerable to common colds and infections.
• Migraines or headaches.
• Tensed muscles.
• Pain in the back and neck.
• Fatigue.
• Insomnia and difficulty sleeping.
• Digestive problems.
• Increased heart rate.
• Excessive sweating.
• Skin rashes.
• Bad vision – blurriness.

Emotional and Behavioral changes:

• Feel like crying for no reason.
• Feeling of helplessness.
• Agitated at work.
• No sense of accomplishment.
• Excessive eating or loss of appetite.
• Lack of concentration and focus on work.
• Not being able to work enough.
• De-motivated.
• No commitment to work.

When you start noticing such symptoms or signs, you know that you are definitely stressed out at work, but what can be done. The best help is self-help; learn to help yourself out of such a situation. Make some changes in your life. These changes will have to be changes at work and lifestyle changes. Changes at work include prioritizing your work and your time. Delegate as and when required and try to get back some of the control you may have lost. Lifestyle changes may not be so simple because these will include people you love and care about. One major lifestyle change you can make is to not carry your work home. Learn to leave your work behind at the workplace.