Most everyone I know talks about how stressful it is at their workplace. The levels of stress seems to be getting worse. There are tougher situations, more demands on our time, increased workload, and requirements to learn new skills and obtain continuing education. Using advanced technology seems to increase need to multitask which is not always efficient. Technology makes you accessible to your employer 24/7. Many have to bring work home, which encroaches on family and leisure time. There is also worry about job security with downsizing and layoffs a very real possibility. While I enjoyed my career, like most employees, I experienced work related stress in one form or another.
Our bodies are biologically programmed to react to and use short term stress in a positive manner, but chronic stress is very detrimental to our bodies. It is well documented that our bodies and health suffer from the emotional and biological effects of chronic stress.
Working is a necessary part of living for many, so it's nearly impossible to avoid chronic stress. However, it is important to use strategies to mitigate the effects of work related stress. This can be done through exercise, meditation, healthy eating. When I was working, I used karate as a form of mental and physical exercise. It was very helpful for me. Recently, I have started practicing yoga, and I wish I would have done that while I was working. Yoga has many health benefits. I have another technique I have found helpful. I try to to reframe my perception of things that are upsetting me. One question I try to ask myself is: "Will this problem or situation matter to me in a week? A month? A year? 5 years from now?" Looking at the long term picture sometimes helps to take the urgency out of what is currently happening, short term.
Below is a great article I read recently. I think it offers many good points and facts regarding work related stress.
http://news.monster.com/a/business/11-scary-statistics-about-stress-at-work-infographic-f01f4c?wt.mc_n=CRM_US_B2C_NEWS_Exp_140707?wt.mc_n=CRM_US_B2C_NEWS_Exp_140707