Workplace Stress
MANAGING WORKPLACE STRESS
Stress is a normal part of everyday life. Everyone experiences anxiety, tension and pressure at work and at home. A certain amount of stress in life is good. It keeps us motivated and productive. But too much stress over a long period of time can be harmful to both physical and mental health. What happens at home can cause stress on the job and what happens at work can cause stress at home. We tend to carry our feelings of tension and frustration with us from place to place.
Identifying Sources of Stress in the Workplace
While every job produces some degree of frustration and stress, the first step to minimizing stress on the job is to identify its source. Contact with people at work can be a source of job satisfaction - and also one of the greatest sources of stress. Dealing with different personalities as well as the demands of a job sometimes adds up to a trying situation.
Even the environment causes stress. Noise, smoke, poor ventilation, crowded conditions and other factors can cause fatigue and tension. Company policies and procedures or changes to those policies can also affect the quality of work life.
Signs of Stress - Answer These Questions:
Do you feel tired and anxious
most of the time?
Do you get angry or irritated
more often or more quickly than you used to? Do you have problems sleeping?
Does worrying about work seem
to dominate nearly everything you do?
Do you seem to be getting
sick more often than usual?
If you answered yes to some of these questions, you may want to take some steps to reduce stress before it takes its toll on your mental and physical health.
Ways to Reduce Stress
Look for whatever helps you cope with change in a positive way. Some people find talking with family and friends helpful in times of stress. Others find time alone to be beneficial. Here are some stress reducers:
Exercise - biking, swimming,
running, rollerblading.
Find the exercise or exercises you enjoy most. Exercise causes a chemical
reaction in the brain that naturally relaxes you and improves your mood.
Make sure you exercise on a regular basis. (Check with your doctor before
beginning an exercise routine.)
Get enough sleep. 
Your
body needs energy to deal with stress, and lack of sleep is one of the most
common causes of stress.
Eat right.
A healthy, balanced diet helps the body handle the physical demands of stress.
Stress can hinder the immune system's ability to function. Limit the intake
of caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar and salt. Increase the amount of low-fat,
high-fiber foods you eat.
Talk to someone.
Don't keep what you're feeling inside. Call a friend or contact
us. Just talking about your problems sometimes leads to new solutions
and helps reduce stress.
Reading Suggestions:
Controlling Stress in the Workplace: How You Handle What Happens by Rex Gatto
Reclaiming the Fire: How Successful People Overcome Burnout by Dr. Steven Berglas
