Stress Management at work: “when your 37,5 hours/week are not enough to finish your work”
Much of what has been said about stress in the workplace is associated with new technology trends. These are responsible for the state of constant readiness in which employees are subject in their working hours.
Nowadays there are not doubts that working conditions are generating stress factors and these are becoming a problem with different dimensions within organisations. Some of its root cause is the lack of time to complete activities and the need to perform many different tasks simultaneously.
If we come back in time, it was Hans Selye that in 1926 used the term “stress” for the first time, defining it as “a set of reactions that the body develops when submitted to a situation that requires effort to adapt”. He noticed that many people that suffered from different diseases were complaining about similar symptoms such as lack of appetite, high blood pressure, depression and fatigue. The interesting thing is that today Hans Selye’ s concept is more relevant than ever.
With increasing competitiveness, companies must continue to change to adapt to new trends and not lose ground in the market and thus charge more of their employees. Often we can see that professionals in higher positions get to spend 65 hours a week of their time at work, double the time they are contractually obliged to.
As a result, it is common to see some employees suffering from physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, back and neck pain, excessive tiredness, sleep problems etc. In addition to this, we can also notice some behavioural changes such as wasting time on useless discussions, members isolating themselves with little cooperation (absenteeism), interpersonal conflicts, work accidents and unhealthy competition between employees taking place.
“…higher positions get to spend 65 hours a week of their time at work”
The key message is that it is impossible to identify all of the impacts caused by stress in employees as different people react biologically and psychologically different; but clearly (and without a doubt), the health of individuals affects organizational results.
At the end of the day, it is a “lose-lose” situation as individuals stress levels impair both: the employee and the employer. So what can managers do?
The role of managers is to constantly monitor how stress is manifested in the work environment, assessing its consequences and impacts. But are your managers prepared to assess stress levels within your organisation?
Changing attitudes to allow a better way to deal with the stressful factors in the work environment, especially when investing in healthy human relations, is not an easy task. It requires professional coaching and expertise in the area.
“…are your managers prepared to assess stress levels within your organisation?”
My company, Gold Coach can business partner with you and your team to offer professional and proven stress management solutions on how to reduce stress in the workplace. At Gold Coach we use eclectic simple strategies and solutions and amazing realistic methods for dealing with stress and from experience, each context requires an analysis, preferably with the participation of professionals as ourselves and some skills from various skills from human resources and managers.
In a nutshell, we can say that stress is a psycho-physiological change in the body (that can be observed through physical and psychological symptoms) to respond to a situation of tension and oppression. And at work, stress is the result of a set of various situations or conditions that are potentially destabilizing, because of inconsistencies or lack of fit between people and environment.
Among the interventions that I adopt for stress management are relaxation techniques, balanced diet, regular exercise, rest, relaxation and enjoyment, proper sleep to human needs, psychotherapy and experiences that promote self-knowledge, management of free time for active and pleasurable activities.
The importance of working with a life-work balance chart is VITAL for a productive work life and balanced home life
“…there are unique solutions and helpful emedies for dealing with stress”
One thing that we need to remember that is important: some stress is good for us, but in reality stress is a disease of the 21st century. It can not be completely removed from our every day lives, mainly because it is associated with the survival mechanism of individuals. Stress, when manifested within tolerable limits (that are specific and unique to each individual) is part of our lives. I and my Associate colleagues from Gold Coach have helped many organisations to keep stress at acceptable levels to promote a healthy life-balance as part of the organisational culture.
With the right approach, psychosocial risks stress can be prevented and managed successfully, regardless of the size or type of company. In this sense, it can be treated in the same logical and systematic way that other health and safety risks in the workplace.
At Gold Coach we use specific targets that are perceived as tangible and they reduce uncertainties and hence occupational and work stress. As a stress management professional I give employees responsibility, meaningful jobs and greater autonomy, factors that can reduce their levels of stress. I am a great believer that clarity in communication allows for greater transparency in the relationship between company and employee, something that really contributes in stress management.
The reduction of the factors that cause stress in the workplace is a challenge for everybody and it should be taken very seriously. Here are some tips for your organisation and employees:
- Keep the good relationship in the work environment;
- Keep cool in workshops;
- Manage work time for each activity;
- Conduct tests and periodic examinations in employees;
- Adapt flexible schedules and intervals between activities;
- Conduct campaigns to combat stress at work;
- Offer relaxation and living room for employees;
- Keep a physical activity routine and proper nutrition
So that companies always count on a productive team in the work environment is also very important to keep employees well informed of the causes of stress factors and legitimatel delegate tasks in accordance with the limits of each worker.
To contact me or learn more do contact me
Gill Mathias
Email: gill@gillmathias.com
Phone +44 01827 839 433
Mobile: +44 07802 261 734
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