Stress is an unavoidable reality of life, and most of us have experienced it at some point in our working careers. According to Wrike’s United States stress statistics from 2019, 96% of American workers feel stressed at their workplace.
Stress is a natural reaction of your body to a demanding situation, so it’s not always a bad sign. For some people, it may be a source of energy and motivation that helps them rise to the challenge. However, in many situations, stress takes its toll on the worker’s performance as well as their physical and mental well-being.
Still, the danger of stress may be much more immediate than one thinks and may lead to workplace accidents. It's crucial to understand what causes stress at work and how it may affect the safety of the employees to eliminate or at least reduce hazards.
After an accident, both your body and your source of income will suffer damage, and it may be too heavy a burden to bear; the world of insurance, personal injury lawsuit loans, and long-awaited compensations is incredibly stressful for all parties involved and their families. Below, you’ll find the required information to help you protect yourself and your livelihood.
Workplace stress may be defined as the adverse reactions that may result from environmental or job-related pressures. While temporary stress can only cause some discomfort, it is dangerous when prolonged. Chronic stress affects your immune system and puts a strain on your body. When it becomes constant, your body cannot cope with it anymore, and you start feeling physical symptoms such as:
Inconvenient at first glance, those symptoms may have more precarious consequences. As you aren’t able to focus and your energy is decreased, the chance of human error increases rapidly. Reports show that 80 to 90% of serious accidents were caused by people and their mistakes.
The risk is higher for labor workers who lift heavy objects and operate machines. For them, even the smallest misstep or a wasted second of reaction can result in a career-ending injury or even death.
Physical, mental, and emotional strain can induce stress at work. It is essential to know what these potential sources are in order to avoid or manage them properly. Some of the most common causes are below:
Prolonged periods of sitting: If you sit for long periods, you may suffer from lower back pain due to lack of movement. You may even experience shoulder injuries and wrist pain from dealing with various office equipment.
Lack of sleep: If you work nights or have a demanding schedule, it is likely that you will not be able to get the amount of sleep your body requires to function properly. This can lead to lowered mental alertness and physical exhaustion.
Painful working conditions: If your chair is uncomfortable or your desk is too high or too low, you may find yourself in a position that causes discomfort. Painful working conditions are one of the most common causes of workplace stress. This is because they disrupt your ability to perform.
Movement-restriction issues: Being unable to move freely due to a fixed workstation setup may prevent you from performing certain tasks without injury. It may also lead to a feeling of restlessness that can cause stress.
Pressure to meet goals: If you have specific goals set for you by your employer and they are challenging to achieve, you may experience stress and anxiety as you try to meet them.
Unclear expectations: If your employer does not clearly communicate with you. Then it may be hard for you to know whether or not you are doing well in your job. This can lead to stress and worry because you don’t know whether or not you should continue with your current methods or try something new.
Unclear responsibilities: If you do not know what is expected of you in your job, then it may lead to a feeling of uncertainty and stress. Not knowing what is expected of you can make it hard for you to perform well in your job.
Unclear deadlines: If you have no idea when something is due, and there are consequences for missing the deadline, it may cause feelings of stress. You do not know if you should spend extra time on the project or if you can get it done quickly and move on.
Pressure to conform: Non-conformity can be a source of stress at work. Especially if you feel like you have to “fit in” with a particular group or clique to advance your career. You may feel pressure to conform to their beliefs if they are the ones who appear to be succeeding.
Fear of failure: Everyone fears failure at some point. But, if that fear becomes an obsession such that it causes stress during your working hours, it is something to address.
Fear of being replaced: If you fear being replaced by someone else in your work situation, this fear may also cause stress at work. You may feel like you have to constantly compete for promotions and recognition just to stay ahead.
Stress at work is a common occurrence that can affect you in many ways. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage and eliminate stress from your working life.
Take care of your health: Your physical well-being is just as important as your mental well-being. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, exercise, and take time off for yourself to relax. These habits can help you develop a strong immune system. Thus, reduce the symptoms of stress you may be experiencing.
Natural and chemical supplements like molecular hydrogen have a very long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine to reduce stress and chronic anxiety disorder. Certain formulas and elements in some of these supplements can restore your brain activity, improve cognitive functions and promote relaxation. Supplements with effective formulas such as Chemical Planet nootropics can give a boost to your immune system. Yet, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to make sure you use products that work best for you.
Learn the source of your stress: Stress can come in many forms. It can be helpful to understand what types of stress bother you the most. Once you understand what stresses you out, you can look for ways to avoid these sources of stress. Or, find ways to deal with them.
Address your stress: If you feel that your stress is becoming detrimental to your ability to perform in your job, then it is time to seek professional help. There are many types of counseling available. These can help you identify the source of your stress and deal with it healthily.
If you do not want to face the risk of workplace accidents, make sure you don’t underestimate the debilitating effects of stress at work. Instead, take measures to keep it in check.
It is not always possible to avoid the sources of stress in your workplace. However, you can learn how to manage it once it comes. The first step is to recognize when you are experiencing stress at work and what is causing it. Once you understand the sources of stress, then you can take steps to avoid them or deal with them in a healthy way.
If you feel like it is becoming too much for you to handle, then don’t be afraid to seek help. There are many types of counseling available that can help you work through your stress. This enables you to reduce it so you can return to work in a better state of mind.
