Dealing With Stress

Stress is emotional and physical caused by our response to pressures from the outside world. It is almost impossible to live without some stress, and most people wouldn’t want to because it also adds some spice and excitement to their lives. A certain amount of pressure brings out the best in our work, however problems appear if stress gets out of control and affects our health. Too much stress is bad for employees and employers alike. In the UK, for example, stress-related illnesses are the main cause of lost working days, and companies are forced to consider their costs and legal implications.

Studies confirm that major causes of work-related stress today tend to be overwork, long hours and poor communication, not only between employees and management, but also among employees themselves. The most common stress reactions include tension, irritability, difficulty to concentrate, problems with memory and a variety of physical symptoms: headaches, sweaty palms, shortness of breath and fast heartbeat. Emotional signs may include feelings of frustration and loneliness, which in turn can trigger negative thoughts and thus cause various health problems such as migraine, insomnia and depression.

If you feel overwhelmed, think of ways to manage stress. The first step is to find out what stresses you most. Is there anything you can do to change those situations? Think of what you can do to reduce the intensity of your reaction to them. Can you reduce your exposure to stress? (e.g. take a break, leave the office and eat out, instead of at your desk). If you put more effort into defining your priorities, and consequently (re)organising your schedule, you can, even in the short run, reduce your stress levels and save yourself some time and nerves.

There are many ways in which you can cope with stress and moderate your physical reactions to stressful situations. Self-help techniques for stress management are highly effective, easy to use and good for your general health. Slow, deep breathing will bring your heartbeat and respiration back to normal, and relaxation techniques will reduce muscle tension. Do whatever you can to build your physical reserves. Exercise (join the gym, go for a swim, walk, etc.) and eat balanced meals. Maintain your ideal weight. Avoid nicotine and excessive consumption of caffeine. Get enough sleep. Maintaining emotional reserves is equally important. Develop mutually supportive friendships and relationships. Set realistic goals which are meaningful to you. Expect some failures and sorrow, but try not to give in to anxiety and fear.

Many companies have developed a culture of working long hours, which makes it very hard for employees to get the life-work balance right. However, some people do take radical action and change their lifestyle completely, switching to less stressful (and usually less paid) jobs.