Stress

NOTE 5

Stress is a biological term which refers to the consequences of the failure of a human or
animal body to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats to the organism, whether
actual or imagine. It is "the autonomic response to environmental stimulus." In other words, it is
an emotionally disruptive or unsettling condition of our mind that occurs as a result of adverse
external influences.
Job stress is a chronic disease caused by conditions in the workplace that negatively affect an
individual's performance and/or overall well-being of his body and mind.
Stressful situations can be viewed as harmful, as threatening, or as challenging.

Types of Stress

Depending on the stressors and the types of changes or events we are dealing with, stress can
manifest itself physically, emotionally and/or mentally.

Causes of Job stress

1. Overwork: working late, taking work home, not taking vacation, Impending layoffs
2. Being in the wrong career, Conflict with boss or co-workers
3. Job Insecurity: organized workplaces are going through metamorphic changes under
intense economic transformations and consequent pressures. Reorganizations, takeovers,
mergers, downsizing and other changes have become major stressors for employees
4. High Demand for Performance: Unrealistic expectations, increased workload,
extremely long work hours and intense pressure to perform at peak levels all the time for
the same pay, can actually leave an employee physically and emotionally drained.
Excessive travel and too much time away from family also contribute to an employee's
stressors.
5. Technology: The expansion of technology computers, pagers, cell phones, fax machines
and the Internet has resulted in heightened expectations for productivity, speed and
efficiency, increasing pressure on the individual worker to constantly operate at peak
performance levels. Workers working with heavy machinery are under constant stress to
remain alert.
6. Workplace Culture: Adjusting to the workplace culture, whether in a new company or
not, can be intensely stressful. Making one adapt to the various aspects of workplace
culture such as communication patterns, hierarchy, dress code if any, workspace and
most importantly working and behavioral patterns of the boss as well as the co-workers,
can be a lesson of life.
7. Personal or Family Problems: Employees going through personal or family problems
tend to carry their worries and anxieties to the workplace. When one is in a depressed
mood, his unfocused attention or lack of motivation affects his ability to carry out job
responsibilities.
8. Job Stress and Women: Women may suffer from mental and physical harassment at
workplaces, apart from the common job stress.
 9. Stressful life events: Death of a spouse, injury to one’s child, war, failure in school or at
work, an unplanted pregnancy, traumatic events, changes at some time or other.

Symptoms of Job Stress

The symptoms and signs of job stress vary from person to person, depending on the particular
situation, how long the individual has been subjected to the stressors, and the intensity of the
stress itself. Typical symptoms of job stress can be:
• Insomnia
• Loss of mental concentration
• Anxiety, stress
• Absenteeism
• Depression
• Substance abuse
• Extreme anger and frustration
• Family conflict
. Job dissatisfaction
Physical illnesses such as heart disease, migraine, headaches, stomach problems, and back
problems.

Job Stress Management

Relaxation plays an important role in stress management. Reducing our workloads can help us
relax. However, there are many other things that need to be done in order to effectively manage
stress.

1. Improve your breathing.

2. Do some meditation
3. Avoid focus only on work
5. Talk to people around you
6. Eat good food
7. Go vacationing
8. Stress removing therapies
9. Listen to some music

Stress Management strategies

1. Avoid unnecessary stress: avoid people who stress you, take control of your environment
2. Alter the situation: express your feelings
3. Adapt to the stressor: focus on your positive
4. Accept the things you can’t change: learn to forgive, do not try to control the
uncontrollable
5. Make time for fun and relaxation: do something you enjoy everyday
6. Adopt a healthy lifestyle: exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep