Second Post

Work-related stress and how to deal with it.

Work-related stress is often experienced when excessive demands are placed upon an individual. The demands might be trying to do too much work in too little time, which as well as affecting the quality of your work can also cause an adverse health reaction. The problem has become a major issue in the UK costing billions of pounds to the economy and society each year.

A Health & Safety commissioned survey has established that over half a million people in Britain believed in 2001/02 that they were experiencing work-related stress at a level that was making them ill. The survey also indicated that self-reported work related stress accounted for an estimated thirteen and a half million lost working days per year in Britain.

The causes
There are many reasons for the onset of work related stress, and it is often caused by a combination of reasons. To name a few:

Being fired or made redundant

Starting a new job / career

Poor relations with colleagues

Too much / too little work

Low pay

Long hours

Repetitive work / lack of job satisfaction

Job insecurity

The stress brought on by the above factors can manifest itself in different way, from bouts of insomnia and constant fatigue, to a loss of appetite. If you feel you are developing symptoms associated with work related stress you should consult your GP. There are, however, preventative measures you can adopt to stop stress taking hold.

The Remedy
Ensure you make time for yourself (both physically and mentally) to indulge in interests and take regular exercise, which acts as an effective stress reducer. It is important to keep your energy levels up so eat well and don’t skip meals. Learn to trust your colleagues; if you have too much work on your plate, delegate.

If this is not possible you must have the confidence to decline extra work. During those five-minute breaks take a brisk walk or chat to a friend instead of smoking or making a coffee. Caffeine and nicotine are both stimulants so, far from relaxing you, they will cause your heart to work harder. Talk to family and friends about work problems, it often helps to unburden yourself. Finally, sit down and study your work patterns; is it possible you are putting yourself under pressure through poor time-management?

Work-related stress is a serious problem for organisations and many are pro-actively taking steps to prevent and control it. There are, at present, no specific laws dealing with this issue but there are some that tackle some of the causes such as laws that discourage and punish various types of discrimination.