Workplace stress is a worldwide issue that impacts productivity in organisations as well as the health and well-being of employees. Work Stress occurs when a person’s capacity and aptitude to handle demands of various kinds and combinations exceeds those obligations.
Numerous things might lead to work stress. For instance, if a person’s work obligations (such as hours or duties) are higher than they can comfortably handle, they may feel under pressure. Conflict with coworkers or superiors, ongoing change, and threats to job security, such as the possibility of being laid off, are additional sources of work-related stress.
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Work Stress Symptoms
It might be challenging to identify the signs of stress at work. Instead, people often develop a “coping” strategy, attributing their problems to just being overworked or thinking that if they just buckle down, they should be able to handle things. Additionally, people can persuade themselves that the situation will only last a short time before improving. But more often than not, things don’t turn out this way since the job keeps coming in or your stressor isn’t fixed.
Numerous symptoms, such as the following, might be a result of work stress:
Physical:
- Fatigue
- Muscle tenseness
- Headaches
- Heart flutters
- Difficulties falling asleep, such as insomnia
- Gastrointestinal disturbances, such as constipation or diarrhoea
- Dermatopathological conditions.
Psychological:
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Low mood
- Low productivity accompanied by feelings of low achievement
- Regular absence and a higher sickness rate
- Being cynical and defensive
- Finding fault in everything you do
- Feeling nervous and on edge
- Finding that you’re unable to ‘switch off’ from work
- Lacking motivation
Dealing With Work Stress
The best course of action once you realise you’re experiencing work stress is to find the root of the problem, reduce symptoms, and endeavour to ensure your long-term welfare. What you can do to accomplish this is as follows:
What’s stressing you out?
Finding the precise source of your stress will help you better understand it and perhaps even manage it. Is there a particular feature of your job that causes your symptoms to worsen? Is it a result of a certain working arrangement? Has your workload recently increased, or has anything else materially changed at work recently?
Make a list of the issues that are causing your stress to rise, and then attempt to resolve them. Getting your thoughts together is the first step to creating a healthy workplace for yourself and others, even if the challenges are more fundamental.
Get help and support at work
Talking to your employer or the HR department about the problems you’re having at work and the harm it’s causing to your mental health might be a smart starting step. Many organisations have programmes and support systems in place to assist staff members who are experiencing mental health issues.
Speak to a dependable friend, member of your family, or a coworker if you don’t feel comfortable approaching your supervisor or the HR department. Keep in mind that individuals around you are concerned for your welfare and are willing to assist.
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