Friday 20 April 2012

Work Related Stress

By Sarah Gilbert


It's not the job that creates stress, it's the way a person responds to the demands of each workplace environment that makes them stressed or energized. Workplaces like emergency rooms, police stations and air-traffic control, to name a few, are samples of fast-paced environments that may induce workplace stress. These environments are is where people's lives are at stake if a mistake is made and they require a tremendous amount of concentration. Short deadlines, endless paper works, long meetings, irate customers, can all cause workplace stress.

It is not surprising that people's response to stress depends on the temperament and culture of their respective workplaces and can vary dramatically. Headaches, shortness in breath, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and upset stomach are just some of the effects of work related stress. Some effects require medical treatment such as depression, increase risk for heart disease, persistent muscle aches and pains, and a weakened immune system. Can chronic stress affect emotions and behaviors? Yes. The affected person becomes impatient, irritable resulting to damaged relations with other co-workers and worst low job performance. Stress increases the chance of making mistakes by affecting the mind through impaired concentration and imagination.

At some point in a day, most adults experience workplace stress and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens though, experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope. When it happens, inadequately managed stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use.

Some work related stress is borne from thinking doomsday scenarios, projects or a situation directly or indirectly affecting your job approval, income or reputation. Oftentimes you wonder if you really are up to it. When you're in a high-pressure situation, try to examine your train of thought to see if it's adding to the stress you feel. Organize the things you do everyday.

A simple list of priorities is important. Manage the things you must do; would like to do and leave room for interruptions. This way, it reduces a lot of workplace stress.

Get counseling to help you understand why you are going through these difficulties, and assist you while in finding coping strategies and work on improving your well-being.




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