We all can name stress points. One that I found most interesting recently is that workers are feeling stressed by not commuting to work – yes, teleworking is now a stressor rather than a de-stressor for some. Seems that they miss being with colleagues and are constantly challenged by distractions around the house. The list of what can give us stress seems endless. But at the same time, if we take the time to cultivate a positive attitude, we can focus on things that bring us joy and pleasure rather than dwelling on the negatives that are all around us. So is your glass half-empty or half-full?
As a result of the growing concern individuals, businesses, and the mental health community have about stress, the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Model was created. This model focuses on the core elements necessary to provide balance for employee well-being and organizational function. Click here for a video walkthrough of the key components.
Individual Responsibilities
It’s great for organizations to recognize that they need to better manage expectations of how much employees can handle in a 24/7 world, and to integrate practices and services into the way work is accomplished to allow ways for employees to find balance. However, each individual also holds a responsibility for adequately managing stress. As we know, stress can cause health problems, or make health problems worse. If there are signs of stress; i.e., anxiety, fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, depression, etc., talk with your doctor.
Suggestions for better management of stress include:
- Learn to recognize when you are feeling stressed so you can alter your behavior or thoughts.
- Choose an appropriate method for dealing with the stress. Options might include these offered by the familydoctor.org website:
- Answer the question – Can I control this? If no, don’t worry about it.
- Solve little problems in order to give yourself a feeling of control.
- For those events that may be stressful, i.e., job interview - prepare as much as possible to be better prepared and relaxed.
- Look at change as a positive challenge, not as a threat.
- Work to resolve conflict with others.
- Find someone you can trust to talk to.
- Avoid over scheduling and multi-tasking. Set realistic goals.
- Get into a regular exercise routine. The key word here is regular.
- Eat well-balanced meals and get enough sleep.
- Meditate or tap into your spiritual beliefs in some way.
- Do something you enjoy such as sports, social events or hobbies.
- Take advantage of employer EAP offerings as well as wellness benefits.
- Seek professional help if stress is interrupting your day-to-day functioning.
- Whether you are an individual seeking solutions;
- A professional caring for clients suffering from stress;
- Or in HR and dealing with workplace pressures.
What Might the Future Hold
Stress has been with us from the days of cavemen. It’s a natural part of life, and will be with us in the future. However, by incorporating some changes into your day-to-day routine and workplace culture, you’ll be able to make significant improvements in lowering the amount of stress you take on each day.Some organizations are being recognized for their efforts to offer stress management assistance to employees in a variety of ways – designed to meet the diverse needs of their employee population:
- Concierge services to help take care of personal errands while you are at work
- Restructured work teams to allow the capability of other teams members to cover assignments when a member must be away taking care of a sick child, or attending a parent/teacher conference
- Stress awareness training, along with benefits such as massages and acupuncture
- Healthy food and snacks when workload requirements dictate longer shifts
- Flexible benefits to allow time off for attending to children or aging parent needs
- Teleworking options for those periods when working from home will reduce stress and allow the employee to be more productive
- Yoga classes on site
- Job search assistance to displaced workers
- Encouraging employees to take their vacations and to get away from the office
- Realistic expectations for the amount of work that can reasonably be accomplished without the threat of burnout
Job Search Stress
Individuals looking for a job also encounter stress. It’s important to establish a “routine” that includes time to network, research, relax, volunteer, interview, etc. Routine is one of the primary “losses” unemployed individuals struggle with. Establishing your own routine will help.Recognize that job search is stressful. Make sure you are taking care of yourself by eating healthy meals, getting regular exercise and maintaining an adequate sleep schedule. If you’re not taking care of yourself it will be evident to the interviewer.
It can also be very helpful to join a network group of other individuals who are in job search. You may have a close friend or family member that you can share thoughts and feelings with during their stressful time, and that’s great. However, talking with someone who is actually experiencing some of the emotions and frustrations that you are, could also provide you with a healthy outlet for some of your emotions.
Surround yourself with positive people, positive thoughts, and good books and music. Don’t forget your local library as a resource; this will help keep you on budget. Especially in this economy, there is much about the job search you can’t control. You just have to get yourself comfortable with that, find something to do that you enjoy, and be open to those opportunities that will present themselves regarding employment. It may not be what you’re expecting, so don’t say “no” before your investigate what’s involved.
Solutions for the Future
Intellectually we can say, “It’s just a job”. But, at the same time, we realize without the job, we’d probably have more stress. What solutions have you seen that work to manage stress? What innovative options are businesses offering employees to help manage stress in a healthy way?
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