Supercharge Workplace Stress Management in 3 simple steps
What if I told you that you could supercharge your workplace stress management in three simple steps? We know that stress is a regular part of life and any job, for that matters. Without stress, it is difficult for workers to meet deadlines, strive to achieve requirements necessary for the job, and/or meet satisfaction of the people they serve.
People regularly experience stress-causing situations not just in the home, but also in the workplace. People often initially react to these events with tension, not realizing that it is possible to return to a more relaxed condition when the event is over.
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Stressors In The Workplace
In the workplace, stress can usually range from normal to excessive. Excessive stress is the type that tends to activate physical and emotional reactions that can be detrimental to employees and business alike.
Some jobs are more stressful than others. However, when honest with ourselves, we can all admit that we experience some level of stress in the work environments. This is whether you are working for yourself or someone else.
Workplace stress can be caused by several factors, some of which may include:
- unsupportive working environment
- high demands of the job
- poor organizational communication
Sudden change in the workplace can cause employees to develop a fear of being fired. Other mounts of stress can come from frequent personnel turnover, poor chances of promotion, lack of preparation for technological changes.
Some work stress factors may include:
- excessive workload
- dull or worthless tasks
- lengthy hours of work and minimal pay
- unreasonable performance demands
- few rest breaks
- noise and overcrowding
- poor air quality
- health and safety risks
There is no doubt that supervisors that are distant and uncommunicative are walking stressors. Who wants to work in an environment whereby the lead is not cordial? Meager performance from subordinates can also cause stress to supervisors. It leaves one wondering, “why do I have to do all the work and pull the weight of the team?. Staff members also create their own stress by developing office politics, competition, bullying or harassment. Why do people want to create cliches in the workplace?
Health Risks Of Stress In The Workplace
It is important to know that a link between workplace stress and physical or emotional problems exist. It is equally important to pay close attention to how you may be responding to some of things you are subjected to. Some of the early signs of work stress are:
- sleep disturbances
- stomach problems
- trouble in concentration
- irritability
- headache
- low morale
- poor affairs with family members and friends.
These signs are simple to distinguish, but without proper management, they can develop into severe health risks like cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal conditions and psychological disorders.
Work Stress Reduction
Managers and employers can reduce stress at work by providing stress management programs and training for workers and improvement in the working conditions.
There are programs that are intended to aid employees with personal problems that may be disturbing their job performance. Also, they may consist of counseling, mental health assessments, workshops on time management, effective ways of relaxing and assistance both legally and financially. The relief provided by these programs may be shallow and brief if the roots of stress in the work setting are not tackled.
Creating a healthy working environment can create a lasting stress relief of the workers. Encouraging employee participation, implementation of policies that includes the needs of the workers are some of the ways to provide a better working environment.
Employees can also reduce their job stress by:
- Obtain a job description (a specific job description provided by the employer provides the basic guidelines and expectations for your performance)
- Read the job description (make sure you understand what is expected of you)
- TAKE ACTION (if you are becoming too stressful, maybe it is time to look for a more suitable job or ask if the company could modify the job to better suit your skillset.
Getting support from the local, state or federal agencies can lessen work stress by providing the employees the backing they need to keep them from hazardous situations in the workplace.