April is recognized as Stress Awareness Month. Since its establishment in 1992, this month has helped bring attention to the “national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and harmful misconceptions about stress” (1).
Everyone has different stress triggers. Stress can stem from life affairs, financial issues, chronic illnesses, emotional problems, or traumatic events. However, one of the most frequent places people experience stress is at work. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “more than 60% of U.S. workers have reported experiencing workplace stress” (2).
Between juggling multiple tasks and tight deadlines, stress is a natural occurrence in the workplace. A good amount of stress can even motivate workers to stay focused and meet that deadline (3). However, too much stress or prolonged amounts of stress will have a negative effect on workers.
When a person becomes stressed, the body will release “hormones that increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar… [and if these] stay high for too long, it can start to impact your overall health and well-being” (4). Headaches, indigestion, and panic can ensue casing physical and mental distress which will affect job performance, productivity, and interactions with coworkers (5).
Managing stress is different for everyone, but there are a variety of ways that one can try to find what works best.
- Mindfulness exercises: Practicing mindfulness means “training your brain to focus more on the present moment… [which] allows you to disconnect from your thoughts about a particular situation” (6). Implementing this technique when stressed can help reduce any overwhelming, anxious feelings. Some mindfulness techniques include breathing exercises and meditation to even people watching or drawing.
- Physical activity: Any form of exercise or movement can help with stress management as it will produce endorphins which will increase feelings of happiness (7). Find an activity that you will enjoy doing for at least 10 minutes a day to help unwind and ease stress. This can look like taking a walk, stretching, or doing a quick exercise routine.
- Professional support: If your stress becomes debilitating and too much to bear, you may want to reach out to a professional to seek guidance. The first step to receiving help is to talk with your primary physician who can refer you to someone who specializes in mental health care (8). Then, once you find a professional that suits your needs, whether that be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or professional counselor, they “will then recommend a plan that may include therapy, lifestyle changes, medication or a combination of treatments” (9).
Promoting effective coping strategies for stress management and advocating for a change in the workplace when it comes to discussing stress will help build stress-resilient workplaces where workers can learn to thrive (10).
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Sources:
- Stress Awareness Month – Official Site
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration – Workplace Stress: Understanding the Problem
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration – Long-Term Stress Harms Everyone in the Workplace
- WXYZ – Stress Awareness Month: Tips you can use to manage your stress
- SELF – 7 Simple Mindfulness Exercises You Can Easily Fit Into Your Day
- Mayo Clinic – Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress
- Forbes – 4 Signs It May Be Time To Seek Professional Mental Health Help