Is Workplace Stress Killing You?
About 35 percent of Americans say that they feel extremely stressed at work. This stress can come from many different sources. You may feel interpersonal stress trying to get along with subordinates, coworkers, and bosses. Many people feel stress because their workplace is disorganized. Others say that they feel the pressure of trying to multitask. Finally, others say that they feel stress from the physical demands of their job.
What are Some Effects of Workplace Stress?
Workplace stress can have many effects on the body. Stress can change the chemical activity in the brain making it harder to cope with current and future stressors. It has been shown as a cause of chronic depression and anxiety. Workers who often feel stress have a weaker immune system, and they often experience increased inflammation. In extreme cases, stress at work can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.
What Can You Do to Alleviate Stress at Work?
There are many things that you can do to help yourself not feel as stressed at work. Make sure that you have a well-organized plan each morning that includes a healthy breakfast. If possible, plan to start and end your day to avoid rush-hour traffic or make sure that you allow time for it.
Asking for a clear set of expectations helps to halt stress. If you are not sure what is expected of you or the expectations always seem to be changing, then talk to your supervisor about your concerns. They did not take a course in mind reading while earning their business MBA, so share your concerns with them. When possible, try to prepare for the meeting with a list of concrete ways that you think will help stop your stress levels.
Avoiding intrapersonal conflict helps to keep your day going in a positive way. One of the skills that you may want to talk to counselors in Orlando about is how to handle bullying if you feel that someone is picking on you. Generally, you need to avoid troublemakers and watch your mouth so that you do not accidentally share gossip or tell off-colored jokes.
If you oversee your own schedule, then plan your work and work your plan. Think through the things that you need to accomplish each day and do them in a way that reduces stress. Often, it is the wasted effort of having to retrace your steps that adds additional stress. Therefore, see if you can apply lean business principles to your daily routine.
Seeing a counselor in Orlando is a great way to get rid of workplace stress. They will be glad to listen to your concerns and teach you new coping strategies. Give High Expectations Counseling a call today to set up an appointment with one of their highly qualified staff. You owe it to yourself to be comfortable in the workplace.