Most people experience some kind of stress at work every now and then. A little stress can be a good for you if it helps you rise to challenges and goals or if it helps spur you on to meet an important deadline. However, it is not a healthy emotion to experience on a regular basis. As stress has a significant impact on well-being.
Unfortunately, the number of people suffering with stress has reached endemic proportions in the UK. Research suggests that about half a million people in the UK experience work related stress at a level they believe is making them ill. Another 5 million people in the UK feel “very’ or “extremely” stressed by their work and it is thought that work related stress costs society about 3.7 billion pounds each year*.
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Factors that can trigger work related stress are:
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Lack of control over work
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Excessive time pressures
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Excessive or inflexible working hours
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Too much or too little work or responsibility
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Confusion about duties and responsibilities
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Lack of variety and interest
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Inadequate training and possibilities for learning new skills
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Poor work/life balance
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Difficult relationships at work
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Lack of support and lack of contact with colleagues
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Organisational confusion, restructuring or job change
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Uncertainty over job prospects
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A culture of blame
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Inadequate management practices
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Bach Original Flower Remedies such as Rescue Remedy, which is a blend of five Bach flower essences are very helpful in managing daily stress. (Always read the label.)∏
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Get away from your desk. Take a lunch break, even if it’s just for 30 minutes. Go for a walk outside if you can. People perform much better when they take regular breaks from work.
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Find time to meet friends. Have a laugh and relax, you’ll feel much better.
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Try to see things differently. Talking to somebody else will help you see things from a different and less stressful perspective.
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Don’t use alcohol, cigarette and caffeine as a coping mechanism. These are short term, negative substances that will only add to your feelings of stress in the long run.
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Learn to manage your time more effectively. Do the important job first and don’t put off unpleasant!
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Live a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet, getting exercise and lots of sleep will help you cope with stress at work.
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Learn to say no. Read our “saying no” article for tips on how to get more time for yourself.
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Do some self discovery. Really look at what’s stressing you out and find ways to fix the root cause.
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Avoid conflict. Don’t get into arguments about small things, it’s not worth the time or energy.
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Accept the things you cannot change. If change isn’t possible, stressing about it will do no good.
*Research from Confederation of British Industry (2004)
∏ On no account should prescribed medication be discontinued, except under a doctor’s supervision.
UK & Ireland 