Work and stress often go hand in hand. But what triggers it and how can you manage it?
Stress at work. Is there anyone who has not experienced this?
But as common as it is, if the stress is so intense that it prevents you from performing or lasts for months, you may have a problem, one expert says.
Dr. Asim Shah, executive vice chair of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, explains what can cause workplace stress, how to manage it, and when to seek professional help.
“The goal is not to suffer and not let your stress affect your performance at work. About 60% of people experience stress at work. This is a common occurrence, which means you can do something about it,” said Shah.
Stress at work can be caused by angry coworkers, a demanding boss, small, annoying tasks, or very demanding projects.
If you are stressed at work, you may notice signs such as:
- Because you feel overly anxious or nervous
- You sweat or shiver excessively
- Getting addicted to something you have to do
- Because you are not interested in your work
“The stress becomes so intense that you can’t focus and concentrate,” Shah said in a Baylor news release. “These feelings can affect your daily work functions.”
If this goes on for more than six months, Shah says it may be time to seek professional help.
“Some employers may offer an employee assistance program that you can apply for assistance. You can also start talking to a therapist through psychotherapy or take medication for your work stress,” she said.
To manage this and help reduce stress, Shah recommends:
- Break the tasks you need to do into parts
- Set small goals for the week and congratulate yourself for achieving them
- Express your feelings. Note how you feel. Talk, laugh or even cry with someone you trust when you need to
- Start healthy habits and do things that make you happy
- Do not exceed your limits at work. Set limits with your workload