Job Stress

Stress is a component of life. But when stress produces distress, it is destructive. Stress causes a variety of physiological problems. One person out of four in the U.S. suffers from hypertension/high blood pressure; a state directly caused by stress. One in eight suffers from a serious gastro-intestinal problem. Fifty to sixty million Americans have sleep problems. Anxiety disorders commonly result from ongoing stress.

Sometimes job stress can be greatly decreased by a change in perspective, or by the development of boundaries. In other cases, an improvement in self-care enables an individual to improve their performance while reducing stress. It may be important to learn to relax in order to counter the adrenaline produced by stressful jobs and busy lifestyles. In some cases, changes need to be made by employers and/or employees to reduce stress and develop a healthier work environment.

Possible Job Stress Relievers

• Staying ahead of your work
• Doing the challenging things first
• Getting enough rest and good nutrition
• Plan breaks, recreation and hobbies
• Communicate to the appropriate individuals when change is needed
• Face up to the fact that there is a limit to what you can do