A growing area of concern at the workplace is work-related stress. Apart from affecting one’s health, it can also affect your productivity at the workplace. Unfortunately, most organizations aren’t equipped to handle work-related stress from their employees.
The job market is highly competitive. It makes it cumbersome to find a low-stress job opportunity available. Most workers must contend with working with these work-related stresses. A holistic approach to handling stress is developing an effective coping mechanism to cut down stress in your current job.
Some coping measures are developing a simple routine such as taking regular breaks, working out, and self-actualization. This post breaks down the strategies to cope with work-related stress to improve your general health and overall productivity.
Work-Related Stress – What Is It?
The work environment is busy with commitments for employees. Sometimes, the environment can turn toxic and affect health and productivity. A common cause of work-related stress derives from various work demands that exceed one’s capability to accomplish them.
Different scenarios can result in work-related stress. For example, one might feel overwhelmed by accomplishing certain tasks within a timeframe. Hence, it creates a work overload or a feeling of incapability to complete the tasks.
Other sources of work-related stress come from bad relationships and conflicts with bosses or fellow workmates. Worries over job security or constant changes in the work environment can result in work-related stress.
Different people interpret work-related stress differently. Different factors come into play, such as psychological makeup, general health, and personal life, among many more.
Work-related stress is becoming a growing cause of health concern for most workers. Hence, it calls for global attention to work to heal from it.
Symptoms You’re Working Under Stress
Most signs of stress can be physical, psychological, or behavioral. Here is a look at some noticeable physical symptoms:
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common sign of work-related stress. Victims often experience long spells of tiredness and low energy levels daily. It makes it difficult to focus on work and be productive.
Headaches
A common resultant effect of stress is headaches. This is because stress triggers muscle tension in the head and neck, thus resulting in migraines. Over-abuse of painkillers might result in another addiction.
Depression
Work-related stress can lead to sadness, feeling overwhelmed, and hopeless. Continued exposure to work-related stress can result in severe clinical depression.
Mood swings
A common cause of exposure to work-related stress can cause instant and abrupt mood changes in emotions. Hence, one feels angry or sad quickly and can’t interact productively with fellow workmates.
Pessimism
Chronic stress is known to invoke a negative outlook on life and work. More workers tend to become inclined towards negative outcomes in different scenarios.
Underperformance
Stress limits one’s productivity, hence leading to underperformance at the workplace. High stress levels interrupt one’s commitment to work and efficiency. For example, a research paper writer might miss deadlines, produce poor-quality work, and concentrate low on tasks.
Potential Work-Related Stressors
The first step in addressing any work-related stress is through the potential stressors. Stressors are triggers that activate our stress levels. A normal workplace might feature several stressors that go undetected. Here is a look at some common culprits:
1. Organization Culture
Some individuals might develop stress due to a toxic and unhealthy organizational culture characterized by unfriendliness, unkept promises, no DEI policy, no initiatives, or excessive competition. All these factors can result in feeling overwhelmed or lead to burnout.
2. Bad Management
Poor management practices at a workplace can be a stressor for other workers. Feelings of favoritism, micromanagement, or hostility can result in a toxic work environment, leading to dissatisfaction or stress.
3. Work Relationships
Strained relationships with supervisors or fellow workers can accelerate stress levels for workers. Moreover, constant conflicts, disrespect, micromanagement, or lack of cooperation can turn a work environment hostile and stressful.
4. Trauma
Exposure to traumatic incidents at the workplace or home can hugely impact one’s attitude at the workplace. Sexual or physical assault at the workplace can affect one’s productivity. A lack of cooperation from HR might worsen the situation.
5. Change Management
Constant organizational changes with restructuring, hiring, payment, or layoffs can create uncertainty about job security. Moreover, employees become stressed when learning new roles or meeting new expectations.
How to Cope with Work-Related Stress
After isolating your potential stressors at the workplace, it’s time to start developing a coping mechanism. Here is a basic template for activities to adopt in the work environment:
1. Create a Pre-Work Routine
Most workers contend with many stressors before arriving at their workstations. It’s already stressful, from waking up early to getting their kids ready for school, breakfast, and traffic. Break away the morning stress with a simple routine that includes good nutrition, a positive mindset, and a cup of coffee.
2. Set Your Targets for the Day
A common cause of burnout is unclear job instructions. If you’re unsure of your job requirements, you will keep trying new roles that become stressful. Start your day by setting targets to achieve throughout the day. This gives you a sense of direction and accomplishment at the end of the day.
3. Foster Work Relationships
You don’t choose your workmate. You might as well work towards building a healthy relationship with them. Greet each other each morning and engage in casual talk. Conflicts and disagreements only raise your stress levels.
4. Make Workstation Comfortable
Physical discomfort at the workplace can cause physical injuries and limit your performance of daily tasks. Sitting in an uncomfortable chair for months can cause a sore back that becomes a stressor. Make your workstation comfortable and livelier by throwing in a plant, pictures, or relics.
5. Physical Workout
Chemical changes occur in your body when you feel stressed. Eating a healthy diet and maintaining physical exercises restores the chemical imbalance. Being physically active means having more energy and productivity at the workplace.
Key Takeaway
Work-related stress is becoming a common problem for workers. Neglecting any signs of work-related stress can grow and develop into a case of clinical depression. Therefore, take the necessary steps to avoid compromising your health while at the workplace.
