“Workplace stress” is comparatively a very common phenomenon and yet it has not touched all the organizations but is on the verge of becoming the one of the most critical issues faced by humanity. It can be added as yet another illness or disorder to the list of already existing illnesses. This particular disorder has targeted almost all professions starting from sales executive to pilot and surgeon to an artist.
Workplace Stress is a chronic disease that is caused by extensive work which leads to a negative effect on an individuals mind and body. It basically means wearing out of the phrase “I perform better under pressure”. Initially, it is true that a person performs better when pressurized, however, after sometime this starts showing on the individual's body and mind and then in the long run it leads to poor performance in the organization or it can also permanently disable the individual. Hence, it is extremely necessary to curb the problem as soon as it starts. Sometimes it is advisable to use psychiatric help when it comes to stress busting.
The symptoms of workplace stress depend from person to person. Therefore, if one person shows a set of particular symptoms, it is not necessary to conclude that the person suffers from workplace stress. He could show some other symptoms that could get totally neglected or misunderstood. Therefore, any hint of this disorder should be looked into immediately. Some symptoms of workplace stress are:
* Insomnia
* Loss of mental concentration
* Anxiety, stress
* Absenteeism
* Depression
* Substance abuse
* Extreme anger and frustration
* family conflict
* Physical illness such as heart disease, migraine, headaches, stomach problems, and back problems.
There are many causes that lead to workplace stress. Some of them are summarized below:
* Job Insecurity
It has become a trend in almost all the organizations to change the setup or rather transformation the setup of the organization. This is done so that the organization becomes better equipped to deal with the ever growing competition. While doing so, it becomes difficult sometimes for the staff to cope up with the sudden change or a very big change. Starting with CEOs to mere executives, this problem persists through out the organization. Hence, their body falls prey to these kinds of disorders.
* High demand for performance
Due to these changes unrealistic expectations create unhealthy pressures for the employees and they are expected to give their best performance, and they are expected to do so with long work hours, increased amount of work. To cope up with this demand the employees wear out their minds and bodies. This leaves them emotionally and physically drained . Moreover, over and above these problems, due to the long hours and the frequent traveling, even family problems begin to arise in their lives consistently.
* Technology
Due to the progress in technology with cell phones, pagers, computers, fax machines and Internet, every employee is expected to be familiar with the use of all these new technological gadgets. This leads to a constant mental stress level due to the pressure of upgrading oneself with the latest technological breakthroughs and new software . This leads to the worker and his/her family living under constant mental stress.
* Workplace cultures
Often people have a problem in adjusting with workplace cultures. An employee has to adjust with the new environment including co-workers, hierarchy, dress code if any, rules and regulations of the organization. Maladjustment can lead to a lot of personal problems and conflicts with co-workers, bosses, etc.
* Personal and family problems
Due to family or personal problems and worries carried to work, one is unable to devote his or her undivided attention and concentration towards work. This leads to under performance at work, which can lead to a lot of problems with one's professional image.
* Job stress and women
Often there are many women who suffer from job stress at work. Societal pressures, family problems, sexual harassment are some of the common reasons for their discomfort while working. Undesired Physical or verbal contact with co-workers lead to a negative effect to their mental and emotional stability which in turn takes a toll on their mind and body.
Most people are not aware what stress actually means! The word 'stress' is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as "a state of affair involving demand on physical or mental energy". Stress is a condition or circumstance (not always adverse), which can disturb the normal physical and mental health of an individual.
In medical parlance 'stress' is defined as a perturbation of the body's homeostasis. This demand on mind-body occurs when it tries to cope with incessant changes in life. A 'stress' condition seems 'relative' in nature. Acute stress can prove to be quite detrimental to the human health, but according to most psychologists, stress in moderation is normal and, in many cases, proves to be quite useful.
Stress, nonetheless, is synonymous with negative conditions. Today, with the rapid diversification of human activity, we come face to face with numerous causes of stress and the symptoms of stress and depression.
During challenging situations, the brain prepares the body for protective or defensive action—the fight or flight reaction by secreting stress hormones, viz. adrenaline and cortisone. These hormones raise the blood pressure and the body prepares to react to the situation. With a tangible defensive action i.e. fight response the supply of stress hormones gets used up in our blood stream, leading to a certain levels of reduced stress and anxiety.
When we fail to counter a stress situation (flight response) the hormones and chemicals remain unreleased in the blood stream for a long period of time. This results in stress related physical symptoms such as tense muscles, unfocused anxiety, dizziness and rapid heartbeats.
We all come across diverse types of stressors in our day to day life, which can accumulate, if not released in an orderly fashion. Subsequently, stress compels the mind and body to be in an almost constant alarm-state in preparation to fight or flee. This state of accumulated stress can increase the risk of both acute and chronic psychosomatic illnesses and weaken the immune system of the human body.
Just about everybody, children as well as adults, even unborn infants suffer from stress! Chronic health problems, relationship demands, pressure at workplaces, traffic snarls, meetings, project deadlines, growing-up tensions or a sudden bearish trends in the bourse can trigger stress.
People react to stress in their own ways. In certain people, stress-induced anxieties persist for a very long time and they intensify as time passes. Learning the intricacies of stress management can help you deal with counter effects of this detrimental condition.
Stress can cause migraines or headaches, stomach problems, eating disorder, allergies, insomnia, backaches, frequent cold and fatigue to diseases such as asthma, hypertension, heart ailments, diabetes and even cancer.
The words 'positive' and 'stress' may not often go together. But, there are innumerable instances of athletes rising to the challenge of stress to achieve the unachievable, scientist who are under constant stress work continuously to bring into light the most unthinkable secrets of the phenomenal world by pushing themselves to the limit. Psychologists second the opinion that some 'stress' situations can actually boost our inner potential and can be creatively helpful.
Experts have quoted that stress, in moderate doses, is necessary to embellish our lives. Stress responses are one of our body's best defense systems against outer and inner dangers. In a risky situation (in case of accidents or a sudden attack on life et al), stress hormones are instantly released by the body to alert out senses in order to become more focused. The body is also prepared to act with increased strength and speed in a pressure situation. It is supposed to keep us sharp and ready for action.
Stress is, perhaps, necessary to occasionally clear cobwebs from our minds while we think. Through a positive approach, stress can help us let go of unwanted thoughts and principle in our life, in turn making us a better person. Very often, at different turning points of life, stress may assert the transitory nature of your experiences, and may prod you to look for the true happiness of life.
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