Do you have that Monday morning feeling every day of the week? Do you find that you explode at the smallest thing? You have sleepless nights, despite always being tired. Perhaps you suffer from work related stress.
In a recent report the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that as many as 20% of UK workers feel extremely stressed at work. Stress is a normal and a helpful reaction to demanding situations, helping us go that extra mile. Yet, if stressed all the time people begin to become unwell. It does not just affect your work it could be damaging your health. Typically people will report that they can’t cope with unreasonable demands or unrealistic deadlines or targets.
There is not just one cause of stress, we all react to stress in a different way. Perhaps there is an ‘atmosphere’ in the office or a colleague with whom you don’t get along. Perhaps you feel threatened by redundancy or there is organisational change happening and you are anxious. Perhaps the office crosses into your private life, taking work home or always available on a mobile. Perhaps there is bullying at work.
There are many symptoms, you may not have them all, perhaps you have difficulty sleeping or are tired all the time, perhaps you are irritable, perhaps you never see friends and family because you just have something to finish at work. Perhaps you have headaches, palpitations, poor appetite or unexplained aches. If you have any of the latter symptoms you should see your GP as soon as possible.
From time to time everyone will have a bad day, or a terrible week, but if your experience them for several weeks consider doing something about your stress levels. It is worth visiting your GP because they can check out the symptoms in case they are a warning of something more serious. Stress does increase the risk of serious illness. Your GP can suggest a range of treatments, including counselling.
The HSE estimates that 10.5 million working days are lost each year to work-related stress. So if possible you should, let your manager know. Your employer has a legal duty to reduce the risk of stress at work. If you’re struggling ask for help before it all blows up. If you can’t talk to your manager – perhaps they are the problem – speak to your human resources department or another senior staff member.
You need to treat stress like any other medical condition. You need to give your body a break from the stress response. Taking a walk or have a bath, exercise is always good. Take a walk round the building at lunch time. Take some time for you, if you don’t look after yourself who is going to? Talking to someone can help, that could be someone close or perhaps your GP or a counsellor. Professionals can help through their experience to help get your life and health back on track.