Small Nap
Out of the very busy schedules, it is very difficult for employees to find out time for a break. However, a power nap is extremely effective in a stressful situation. A small nap of around ten to thirty minutes can result inn recharging and energizing of the mind and body. In case the work is such that it is not possible to take a break, then it is better to practice self hypnosis along with deep breathing and the best part if it is that it can be done on a work desk as well.
A study conducted in the United States showed that around 40% of the working population was suffering from stress at the workplace. This is a fairly good indication of the stress related to work. It has also been found that the teaching and nursing fields are the most heavily stressed occupations and at least 2% of the people employed in these occupations is suffering from work related stress, anxiety and depression all the time. In case of teachers, this figure is even more, up to 4%, if the physical conditions that are related to stress are considered. The next fields of workers which are affected by this stress are the managers, professionals and care workers. There is no relation of stress with the gender of the person as males and females are reported to affect by stress equally. However, people beyond the age of 45 suffer from more stress than those who are younger. Another survey conducted in the States reported that at least 89% of the people have at some point of their lives experienced extreme stress. In the rarest of rare cases, stress can lead to death as well.
Stresses are of two types – short term and long term. The short term stresses are also known as acute stresses. It is the reaction of the body to harmful stressors. Long term stresses are known are chronic stressors which are related to continuous pressures. Isolation, work pressure, estranged relationships and financial problems are examples of chronic stresses.
Stress has adverse affects on both the health and performance of people. There are increasing numbers of cases which result in serious ailments and diseases as a result of stress. Removing the stressors can result in improvement of health. By conforming to the rules of stress management, the risk of heart attack can be reduced up to as much as 75%. Stress management also helps in managing anger, reduction in the levels of blood pressure and headaches. Stress management also increases the effect of drugs and anti depressants. Stress also decreases the functioning of the mind and brain. It reduces the learning capacity and concentration which also affect the performance. People suffering from stress show as much as 50% decrease in their performance levels. However, these effects are completely eversible and the body as well as mind can be brought back to its normal state by relieving them of stress. But there are some effects of stress that are very critical and are almost irreversible.
Below are the causes of stress at work
• Lack of proper communication and conflicts
• Harassment or bullying by fellow employee
• Tiring and long working hours
• Group conflicts and politics
As an employer, if you intend to remove the stressors from the work environment, then changes need to be brought in. look out for signs of stressors which are not related to work because they can raise the worker’s susceptibility to stress and make him vulnerable. Some simple steps for lowering the susceptibility to stress are given below.
• Try to understand the causes of stress which affect you along with the factors which encourage the stress. It is always advisable to know what you are dealing with in order to develop effective stress management techniques.
• In order to identify the stressors, talk to the people around you and think seriously about it. Then take steps to either reduce the stressors or eliminate them completely.
• Start doing more exercise, especially at times when you are feeling very stressed. By doing exercise, you are able to burn adrenaline and also generate positive feelings along with useful chemicals.
• Improve your diet intake. It is important that your diet includes all the major and important mineral and vitamins. Try to assess the contents of your diet and make improvements in order to improve it.
• When you are feeling stressed, look at the issues from an outsider’s point of view. This is because stress causes the people to become detached and less efficient in analyzing the situation.
• Try to reduce the intake of harmful toxins. Spirits like alcohol should be completely avoided along with tobacco and caffeine. These can provide a temporary relief and become addictions later on. They create imbalance in the body and increase the susceptibility to stress.
• Use innovative relaxation techniques which suit you. Sometimes, the most unusual activity tends to click and reduces the stress levels. Some of these practices include meditation, yoga, massage and self hypnosis.
• Use innovative relaxation techniques which suit you. Sometimes, the most unusual activity tends to click and reduces the stress levels. Some of these practices include meditation, yoga, massage and self hypnosis.