.png)
One can often be stressed because of his professional life. We live in a digital world with competition as its key element. Rigorous work in professional life and continuous follow-up of the same routine is indeed draining. Doing a job requires accomplishing various tasks that have been allotted to you and being accountable at the same time. Having too many responsibilities to take care of can lead to job stress. However, having normal stress because of work is acceptable; chronic stress due to work is not acceptable at all and can lead to many other mental illnesses if not addressed at the right time. This article talks about the same.
Work-related or job stress has become a prevalent issue faced by people from all walks of life. The situation has, in fact, worsened after the pandemic. To study the effect of job stress on people's mental health, various studies have been done. All these studies have confirmed and claimed that job-related stress could dampen your life to a great extent as it not only directly affects your mental health but also cause harm to your physical health. Studies have found that people who deal with chronic job stress are two times more vulnerable to slipping into the trap of severe mental issues such as anxiety, depression, etc. Also, the chances of having heart disease, blood pressure and musculoskeletal disorders are higher if you are exposed to job stress.
Several Studies have linked job stress directly with mental disorders:
A study by the American Psychological Association found that job stress is one of the prevalent causes of depression and anxiety among employees. The same study also claimed that people with job stress are more prone to back pain, gastrointestinal problems and headaches.
Another study in the same field was published in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal. The results stated higher chances of developing mental disorders such as irritability, depression and anxiety. The study also concluded that a particular section of the employees is more prone to develop job stress, including female employees, younger employees and employees with low education levels.
The third study that establishes the relationship between job stress and mental illness was conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The study holds job stress as one of the significant predictors of mental burnout. Mental burnout is usually characterized by symptoms like emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. It heavily impacts the mental well-being of a person to the point of severe anxiety or even depression.
Over the years, there has been a significant rise in the number of people having work-related stress. Managing work stress and burnout is essential as it may lead to several mental illnesses that can leave traces on an individual's life. There could be various things that can help manage work stress and burnout.
One should try to find the source of all the stress. In a job, there could be several reasons that can make you feel stressed. It might be your incapability to carry out the tasks that have been allotted, workload, toxic work circle, intimidation seeing other's accomplishments, etc. Knowing how deep-rooted problems exist is necessary before pulling off the whole plant.
What steps can you take to manage your job stress?
Once you have found the cause of your stress, it is time for its eradication. If the reason is something that isn't bothered you, for instance, workload, you need to make changes externally. It would be best to talk to your manager or employer about such things. Talk to them and convince them to make changes accordingly. Communicate effectively to make them understand what keeps you from performing your best. You, as a human resource, contribute to your company, and thus you need to have a sound mind, and your manager would definitely take care of that.
If your problem relates to your feelings and thoughts, you must align them. Being intimidated by others has nothing to do with your external surroundings; you need to make internal changes. Practice meditation and do breathing exercises. It helps a lot to relieve the stress you have been holding for ages. Meditate to feel energized, motivated and free from all limitations. Do some physical exercises and stretching. Physical activity in routine is as Important as mental exercises as they help cope with stress.
Try to eat Food full of nutrients for a healthy body and mind. . Food has a lot to do with your mental health. Do not consume too much junk food, or else you will turn your mind and body to junk itself.
Making simple lifestyle changes and incorporating them into daily life significantly ensures you live a healthy and joyous life, be it professional or personal. If you are having a hard time doing them, another option that can be considered is seeing a therapist. Find the right therapist for you and seek help. Seeking help is not shameful or does not mean that you cannot handle your own life. It is a courageous step to take. It is also important for you to understand and accept your feelings. Talk to your family and friends. They can prove to be a great support in times of need. You can also contact us, that is, Project C Foundation. We have got your back.
Do not let your job turns into a source of your stress. Instead tried to solve it with one or the other methods available. Work stress-free and try to live your life to the fullest. Every person has the right to live a happy and dignified life full of love, laughter and happiness.
Written by:
Gahana Thorat