Stress at Work
Stress has become a common and costly problem in the American workplace, affecting most, if not all American workers. In a recent study, Northwestern National Life found that one-fourth of employees view their job as the number one stressor in their lives. A similar study by the Princeton Survey Research Associated concluded that three-fourths of employees believe the average worker has more on-the-job stress than a generation ago. And according to the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, problems at work are more strongly associated with health complaints than any other life stressor; more so than even financial or family problems. Here is a closer look at job-related stress and what you can do to keep it from becoming a problem.
What Is Job Stress?
Many people mistake a challenge for stress. But they’re really two separate things. A challenge motivates us to learn new skills and try new things. And when we meet a challenge we feel satisfied and happy with our performance. Job stress, on the other hand, occurs when an assigned task does not meet a worker’s abilities, or when the workplace environment has become overly negative. Some stress is to be expected, both on the job, and at home. But when stress levels become excessive, constant or repeated, a person, no matter how well adjusted, may be unable to cope.
We all have our own ways of coping with stress. If normal avenues of managment become overwhelmed, and if support systems are lacking, stress can become so extreme that it leads to physical or psychological illness. In addition to poor health, or even injury, stress at work often results in job dissatisfaction and that invariably leads to dis satisfactory performance.
What Causes Job Stress?
Stress at work is usually caused by either an task assigned or with the workplace environment itself. But what’s stressful for one person may not be for someone else. That means the personality and coping mechanisms of each individual also plays a role in the development of job related stress. Understanding the source of your stress will help you determine if you need to make changes in your workplace, improve your coping skills, or perhaps both.
How Does Stress at Work Affect You?
The body naturally responds to stress in the same manner as it prepares for a threatening situation. Several physical and emotional responses occur throughout the body. The nervous system kicks into high gear, releasing hormones that sharpen the senses, increase the heartbeat, deepen respiration, and tense the muscles. This response is more commonly referred to as the “fight or flight” response.
When stress is short lived, it does not result in any long-term physical damage to the body. But if stress becomes chronic or persistent, the body is not allowed to return to a state of relaxation. This constant state of alertness increases the rate of wear and tear on the body, ultimately causing fatigue and compromising the immune system. Over time, the risk of injury or disease escalates, causing such conditions as high blood pressure, ulcers, heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, sleep disorders, appetite changes, anxiety, migraines, emotional upsets, allergies and abuse of tobacco and alcohol.
How to Cope With Stress at Work
If you’re experiencing stress at work, first try to determine whether it’s your workplace or your coping skills that’s causing your stress. Are co-workers also suffering from stress? Is the overall morale at your workplace poor? If so, then you may need to try making changes at your workplace in order to relieve your stress. Talk to your supervisor or the human resources representative to see how to best keep stress from interfering with your job. If your employer isn’t open to making worker-friendly improvments, you may ultimately need to change your workplace.
If, on the other hand, your co-workers seem happy with their jobs, you may need to take a closer look at your own coping skills. Look for ways to strike a balance between your work and personal life. Stay connected with friends, family, and co-workers that can offer emotional support when you’re feeling swamped. And most importantly, try to maintain a more relaxed and positive outlook.
Preventing Job Stress
If you’re an employer or supervisor, it’s your obligation to see that the stress level of your employees doesn’t interfere with their performance. It’s in your best interest to ensure that your employees are challenged, but not stressed out by their work loads. A pleasant work environment makes for happier and more productive workers. Here are a few tips for preventing job stress amongst your employees:
- Understand your workers’ skills and capabilities and make sure that their workload matches their talents.
- Clearly define each worker’s tasks and responsibilities.
- Allow employees the opportunity to voice their opinions on assignments and the workplace in general.
- Provide opportunities for relaxed social interaction between your staff members.