What is work related stress??
Stress is familiar to all of us, sometimes we feel it ourselves or we hear someone else say “I’m so stressed right now.” Stress alone doesn’t pose any threat to us, on the contrary, it’s a body’s protective reaction that helps us to mobilize and adapt to the changed environment. As in life, we feel stressful at work from time to time. Stress can be caused by time pressure, a fast pace of work, tense relationships at work, etc. In most cases, we put up with it and are satisfied with our success. However, if the stress reaction persists and rest breaks are no longer relieving, the ability to work decreases, emotional reactivity changes, and results in developing mental exhaustion.
- Salary
- Lack of social support
- General working conditions
- Work bullying
- Work-home balance
- Workload
- Demands and unclear expectations
- Work that is not fit for purpose
- Lack of control
Work stress remains even when the workday ends and thus affects other areas of your life. If, after the end of the working day, during leisure time or during holidays, thoughts related to work persist and cause tension, there is reason to suspect chronic work stress.
Chronic stress is detrimental to our mental and physical health. It causes depression, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, high blood pressure and heart problems, a weakened immune system, digestive problems and obesity.
Be aware of your concerns and be kind to yourself, don’t lessen their impact and wait for stress to go away on its own.
- Try to analyze what aspect causes stress at work and talk to a colleague, employer, find solutions together
- Take breaks from work
- Maintain clear boundaries between work and leisure
- Do sports and relaxing activities in your free time
- Spend time with loved ones and friends
- Seek help from a (work) psychologist
The occupational psychologist has completed basic studies in psychology and specializes in the field of occupational psychology.
It is worth turning to an occupational psychologist if you can no longer cope with work-related stress, you need help to cope with burnout, you want to change your work life but have no idea where to start, and with other problems related to working life.
Source: Occupational psychologist Triin Hellamaa, AT Praksis OÜ
