Effects of Work Related Stress on Health
Stress which comes from work can be just as overbearing as stress which accumulates from other areas of life. Employment stress is extremely warring because of the frequency people attend to work. Five to six days a week spent under pressure can be a burden which affects emotional and physical wellbeing in a negative fashion.
Physical health
Stress can affect physical health in several ways. When under a great deal of stress the hormone cortisol is released into the system. Cortisol helps the body deal with stress and is often associated with‘fight or flight’as it is responsible for triggering this response.
When cortisol levels rise consistently due to continual stress the hormone can be harmful. Naturally cortisol is meant to be released and then stress dealt with, leaving the hormone to decline. If stress doesn’t subside cortisol levels continue to rise andnegative effects are felt.
Employees under pressure which makes them feel stressed for much of their working day are likely to experience difficulty in dealing with anxiety effectively. They may alsoput on weight, their immune system may be impaired and their blood pressure may rise.
High levels of cortisol can result in aches and pains as bone matter is released into the blood stream. Indeed, massive amounts of work related stress can result in osteoporosis development in severe cases.
The way to deal with the problem is for employees to develop an emotional care plan to help reduce stress and cortisol levels.Mindful relaxationor physical exercise may help provide stress relief. Exercising releases feelgood endorphinsinto the system and releases pent up energy, while mindful relaxation helps keep employees calm and balanced.
Sleep disorders are common for employees who lay in bed worrying at night.Insomniacan then lead to them feeling tired and finding it difficult to focus and make decisions at work.
Emotional health
Stress can affect individual employeesdifferently emotionally. While some are likely to lose confidence and become withdrawn under stress, others may become snappy and defensive. Work overload, deadlines and pressure to perform well can result in panic, hasty decision making and burn out.
Insomnia can make some employees feel emotional and tearful. Lack of energy may result in feelings of helplessness and depression. An increased lack of work satisfaction and dislike of attending work can further anxiety.
Employees can lessen stress which affects them emotionally by learning about what triggers apersonal stress response. One employee may feel stressed if rushed to complete tasks, while another may become anxious if expected to speak in public or lead a group. Once employees understand which situatations are likely to make them stressed they can choose to avoid them or deal with them in different ways. They can also practice relaxation methods such as deep breathing when a stressful event occurs.
A small amount of stress in the workplace can provide employees with a healthy challenge. However too much stress can result in ill health. Learning how to reduce stress can increase wellness and happiness at work.
