Is Job Stress Affecting Your Health?

Jobs are an important part of life. Along with providing a source of income, they help to fulfill personal goals and build social networks. They can also be a major source of emotional stress!

Stress at Work

Even dream jobs can be stressful.  Deadlines, performance expectations and other responsibilities can take a toll on your stress level.  For some, this stress acts as the motivator to get things done. Although for most, an excessive amount of stress can be overwhelming and ultimately affect your job performance and personal relationships.

Stress and your Health

Prolonged stress can affect both your emotional and physical health.  Stressors such as responsibility overload, difficult co-workers and a hostile work environment can accelerate health problems. The likelihood of high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease and even heart attacks often correlate with your stress level.

Job stress also frequently causes burnout, which has been linked to other health concerns such as depression, stroke, obesity and eating disorders, diabetes and even some forms of cancer.

Tips for Dealing with Job-Related Stress

Even ten minutes of personal time will refresh your mental outlook.

Mentally regroup by counting to ten, and then re-evaluate the situation. Walking and other physical activities will also help you blow off steam.

Talk to your supervisor if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Working together to make needed changes will not only benefit your emotional and physical health but also improve the organization’s overall productivity.

What Can You Do?

The good news is that there are many ways to help you manage your stress! Relaxation, proper nutrition and exercise are a great start. Other helpful ways include improving your time management, assertiveness and social skills. A Best Care EAP counselor can help you learn to manage and ultimately decrease your stress level. 

To schedule your confidential appointment, call (402) 354-8000 or (800) 801-4182, or send an email.

Source: APA Help Center from the American Psychological Association.