Stress In The Office: Determine It And Forestall It
Get out of your “funk” and back to bloom
Is it the house, spouse, cars, and children that people think of when they “have it all”? That might be the greatest achievement for some. For others, living the dream could be a different scenario. We are all unique and that is part of what makes life a pleasure. How we define stress is likely to be different too.
Imagine if you were a contestant on the television game show Family Feud. You stand on the podium as a representative of your team and don’t want to let it down. The game show host begins by saying, “The top 5 answers are on the board. What are the most stressful jobs?” Your hand hits the buzzer in front of your opponent and you burst out the first thing that comes to mind. What was your answer? High stress jobs could include police officers, air traffic controllers, firefighters, fighter pilots, surgeons, etc. Would a kindergarten teacher be on your list? Or a press officer? What can be stressful and cause high levels of anxiety for one may not apply to the other because we are all unique and respond to challenges in our own way.
According to a survey by The Marlin Company, “the vast majority of American workers report being stressed.”
- 42% say that work pressure affects their family or private life
- 35% say their job has a negative impact on their physical or emotional wellbeing
- 42% state that at least sometimes they do not have sufficient control or influence over their work tasks
While some people believe that stress is real in the workplace, others think that people should get over it and do their job. Of course, that’s not as easy as it sounds. So how can we start reducing the stress and lowering those numbers?
Self-knowledge
Self-awareness is the key. Psychologist and health advisor Patrick Swift, Ph.D. Points out that one of the first things a person can do is “acknowledge the stress. Then, taking deep breaths and checking in on yourself can calm your nerves. Knowing that their words are more of a reflection of their decreased emotional intelligence are as a reflection of how stressed you really are! “
How important it is to talk about stress and anxiety in the workplace
Talking about stress and anxiety in the workplace has long been taboo. Admitting to feeling stressed or scared can lead others to believe that you are incompetent for your job. While many people still feel uncomfortable sharing such personal information, companies recognize that stress and anxiety are challenges. However, they also lead to numerous other problems. For example, headaches, insomnia, and chronic illness are some of the health problems that can be signs of stress overload. Additionally, stress and anxiety in the workplace can lead to decreased productivity, excessive absenteeism, and churn, all of which negatively affect the bottom line.
According to a report by SHRM, “8 in 10 workers say they are stressed by at least one thing at work. About every second worker in low-paying jobs says that their job has a negative impact on their stress levels, while about 4 in 10 in medium- and high-paying jobs say the same thing. “Mental symptoms do not discriminate Cause workers.
“Ignoring stress and anxiety can lead to even bigger problems, so why not do something about it now?” asks Dr. Swift. “Self-care is directly related to how well we take care of others. So if someone is reluctant to take care of themselves, knowing that it will also help those they love can sometimes help them find motivation. “
In places like New York and Los Angeles, the link between work stress and heart attacks is so well known that any police officer who suffers a heart attack on or off the job will have a work-related injury and be compensated accordingly. Stress and fear are just as expected in the management team in American companies as they are with individual employees.
At a time when many of us work from home, employees and managers may not realize that a person they work closely with is experiencing extreme anxiety or stress. Here are the warning signs that may indicate that a person may need help:
- Loss of performance and / or productivity
- Too many days of missed work
- Do not appear to be working
- Physical complaints such as sweating, upset stomach [1], and not sleeping well (without further explanation)
Now it is even more important for managers to have interpersonal and communication skills so that their direct employees emerge as healthy as possible from this historical period.
How should a manager raise the issue with an employee who they suspect may be suffering from debilitating pressure and anxiety? You can start building relationships that are characterized by open and honest communication. Current research [2] points out that employees who felt their supervisors weren’t good at communication were 23% more likely than others to experience a decline in mental health. By getting out of the comfort zone first, a leader who shares their weaknesses and strengths can show their team that it is okay to overcome their challenges.
This is how you can avoid stress in the workplace
How managers can help avoid or minimize stress and anxiety in the workplace:
- Be transparent with your team to build trust with them
- Clearly communicate expectations and confirm that they are realistic
- Offer flexibility when and where your team works
- Make sure employees have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and support to do their jobs
- Encourage taking time to exercise – even a short walk outdoors can change your perspective; Sunshine and fresh air can do miracles mentally and physically
- Create opportunities for collaboration and connectedness
- Share the company’s resources that are available regarding mental health
There is an “in between” emotion that many of us experience and that we find it difficult to put our finger on. We may not feel like we are afraid, but we also don’t feel reassured and safe. Most of us would agree that this feeling of being on a funk isn’t burnout or depression. The New York Times [3] calls this “languishing” [4]. ” “Languishing” is a sense of stagnation and is the neglected middle child of mental health. It’s the void between depression and flourishing – the lack of wellbeing well [5].
“When I advise executives, I help them differentiate between implicit and explicit behavior, because I know that both are necessary,” says Dr. Swift. “As well as saying that self-care is important and talking to their team about it, a leader needs to deliver the speech and demonstrate it in their actions. If a manager speaks a good game but doesn’t lead by example, then it’s going to be funky and not in a good way. “
Find your “flow”
How can we get out of our funk and blossom again? The first thing we can do is find our “flow” again. Workflow occurs when we are fully immersed in a project or task. Flow makes our work happy and not only reduces stress, but also increases our productivity. Flow helps us to be in control and to focus on achieving our goals, which leads to satisfaction and a sense of achievement. When we move in these positive directions, we navigate away from the stress and anxiety that “languish” us and back to the fulfillment in our work.
Flow has become elusive as our distractions have become more significant. Cell phones in hand or pocket make us available all day and sometimes all night. We check emails, LinkedIn, Twitter, our kids’ school apps, grades, scores, etc. Now we’re more distracted than ever.
How to find your flow in your job:
- Set small work goals that are challenging but achievable
- Find a quiet, uninterrupted time, then practice adding more time to stay focused
- Eliminate distractions
- Find ways to have more control over your situation
“The bottom line is that if stress is hindering your ability to do your job or do your best with your family, it is important to take care of yourself,” says Dr. Swift. “And if the stress is putting your career or relationships at risk, you may need to hire a professional to help you. But help can’t help you if you don’t ask for it. “
It’s important to remember that what works for one person to manage stress may not work for another. So do a soul search to find out what works for you so that you can find your way back to the “life of the dream”!
References:
[1] Nausea and vomiting
[2] 8 Ways Managers Can Support Employee Mental Health
[3] There’s a name for the blah you feel: it’s languishing
[4] The Mental Health Continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life
[5] Complete Mental Health: An Agenda for the 21st Century.
