Competing demands from the
workplace compounded by the needs of your spouse, children,
extended family, and other responsibilities in your life often
result in higher than normal stress levels which need to be
consciously managed, especially when these levels of stress are
off balance for a long period of time.
Many circumstances contribute to
increased levels of stress. Competition in the workplace which
frequently promotes self interest can result in diminished
feelings of well being and trust. Struggling economic conditions
and competition have resulted in less secure employment
opportunities illustrated by frequent corporate mergers,
downsizing, and outsourcing initiatives. Commutes to work have
become longer for many as cities spread outward. Heavy traffic,
aggressive driving, crowded trains, buses and terminals are
common. Pressures of getting yourself to work on time for the
important meeting after getting your children to school on time
only to find traffic backed up due to the accident on the
freeway.
Feeling stressed, yet?
There are many circumstances
contributing to increased stress levels which sometimes can't be
prevented, but should be consciously managed. Stress reduces
your energy and eventually leads to health problems if not
managed properly. It should be no surprise there is an increase
in stress related health problems such as high blood pressure,
heart disease strokes, anxiety, and depression. Often times
stress leads to alcoholism and dependencies on drugs such as
prescription sleeping pills and medicines intended to calm you
which have side effects which are arguably worse than the
symptoms being treated and can be addictive. If you suffer from
extreme stress for a long period of time, your body and mind
will eventually wear down. Long term stress such as constant
worry over your job, constant pressure, finances, chronic family
illness, or some hardship resulting in a perpetual grind on your
life can drain you of energy reducing your ability to perform
and greatly reduce the quality of your life and the people
around you.
Of course, not all stress is
bad. Sometimes stress may actually be good resulting in
stimulation which challenges you to reach your full potential.
Stress may give you extra energy needed for a particular
situation. This good type of stress, such as what you feel
before an important job interview, exam or sports activity, may
stimulate you to perform your best.
***Recognize the Affects of
Harmful Stress***
Extended periods of stress may
affect you physically and behaviorally and can eventually lead
to chronic conditions difficult to manage such as:
1. Constantly feeling tired
2. Finding it difficult to
sleep over an extended period
3. Losing your appetite or
eating too much over an extended period
4. Frequently getting sick or
having an increase in headaches/migraines, stomach problems, or
aches and pains which can't be explained
5. Constantly worrying or
feeling anxious which can eventually lead to anxiety disorders
and depression if not managed
6. Feeling overwhelmed having
trouble making decisions
7. Experiencing extremes in
your mood such as impatience, frustration, irritability, anger,
anxiety, and depression which you may have difficulty
controlling
8. Experiencing an increase in
dependence on food , alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
You probably know someone who
is or has experienced one or many of these affects of stress.
Perhaps you!
***Consciously Manage the
Affects of Stress When You Can't Eliminate the Sources of
Stress***
If it were only as simple as
removing the source of your stress in your life! Where survival
and family responsibility is concerned, there is not always a
quick solution or choice for most people. Sometimes how you
manage the source of stress requires making choices involving
planning worked out over time or just simply breaking the cycle
of what is causing your stress such as taking a walk at lunch
time to get away from the stress you are experiencing at work.
Think about how you can consciously manage stress. Don't let
circumstances resulting in stress manage you! Often times you
can't stop the source of stress, but you can recognize what it
is doing to you and choose how you react to it. There are
lifestyle choices which can help you manage the effects of
stress. It is important to recognize your limits and listen to
what your body is telling you and do something about it.
***Make Time to Exercise***
There are many solutions to
help you manage the affects stress has on your body. Everyone
is unique and what works for one, may not work for the other.
However, there is one solution which is equally important for
everyone. EXERCISE! This is one of the most effective ways of
managing the effects of stress has on your body and the overall
benefit promotes good general health. Depending on your
condition, this could be as simple as walking for 30-40 minutes
or a moderate run. All you have to do is step out the door and
put one foot in front of the other. It's cost nothing and can be
done almost anywhere. Make time for some type of physical
exercise and you will experience an increase in stamina helping
you to feel more whole.
***The Workplace - Leading
Source of Stress***
The National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health reports the following statistics
about workplace stress:
- 40% of workers reported their
job was very or extremely stressful
- 25% view their jobs as the
number one source of stress in their lives
- Three fourths of employees
believe that workers have more on-the-job stress than a
generation ago
- 29% of workers felt quite a
bit or extremely stressed at work
- 26 percent of workers said
they were "often or very often burned out or stressed by their
work"
- Stress is more strongly
associated with health complaints than financial or family
problems
Going to work is something most
of us have to do and there is usually plenty to worry about once
you get there. There are ways to manage workplace stress and
often you can and should work at avoiding stress. You may not be
able to entirely avoid it, but you should try. Workplace stress
often occurs when you feel like everything needs to get done
right now. Does it really?
***Tips to Reduce Workplace
Stress***
1. Focus on one task at a time
and ask yourself what is really important. Try not to let
yourself get caught up in tasks which provide little benefit.
Multi-tasking sounds good, but if you are in the game for the
long haul, beware of burn out from too much multitasking over an
extended period. Work at maintaining a balanced schedule and
don't over commit yourself.
2. Take short breaks throughout
the day to clear your mind. Try to get time away from your desk
for lunch. Stepping away from work for even a brief period of
relaxation will help you recharge to be more, not less,
productive.
3. Always running late? Don't
add to your stress by running late when it can be avoided. Try
to leave earlier in the morning.
4. Resist negative thinking. If
you see the downside of every situation and interaction, you'll
find yourself frequently irritated and this will eventually
drain you of energy. Consciously try to be positive and find
humor where you can. It works. Subtly, avoid negative-thinking
co-workers.
5. Take care of yourself
outside of the work place. In general, you will be able to deal
with stress better when your own needs are taken care of. The
better you feel, the better you will be able to manage work
stress without becoming overwhelmed. Lack of sleep leaves you
vulnerable to stress. When you're sleep deprived, you are less
able to handle stress.
Remember! When stress can't be
avoided in your life, you must choose how you react to this
stress and consciously managed the affects stress has on you.
You must make a decision to be in control of stress and commit
to this objective.
