Workplace Stress

Some people can come home stressed from work and snack more, or binge on food for comfort.  Others may experience a dip in hunger, and therefore not eat, or forget to eat if they are overly preoccupied with work tasks or the stress itself.  Some people experience both at different times.

When people are feeling stressed, and especially if they experience low mood alongside it, they are likely to withdraw.  This means they may avoid work (workplace stress is one of the major reasons cited for absence).  Or if at work, some people avoid colleagues, and socialising as normal, where possible.

Occupational burnout was recognised in the 70s and is thought to result when stress is not effectively managed so worsens and becomes chronic.  Burnout is a combination of psychological and physical symptoms that lead to increased dissatisfaction and demotivation.  People become disinterested, negative, cynical, and feel exhausted, leading to compromised productivity.

When someone is feeling preoccupied with work stress, they are often unable to experience normal sleep.  They may find it difficult to switch off at night, wake at various times throughout the night, or wake very early and find it hard to sleep.  Some people even dream about work, and this can make them feel unrested too.

When we feel overly burdened and stretched, we can start to feel as if we have less control of our lives.  This can stretch beyond work, for example you might start to exhibit some of the other symptoms listed, which can make you feel even less in control.

The word ‘stress’ relates to tension and pressure.  When we experience adverse situations, over extended periods, tension builds and the building of this creates pressure.  Pressure needs release for relief.  Until that happens, we experience stress and other problematic symptoms.

When we experience the pressure that stress brings, we have less resilience and a very limited threshold.  This results in the inability to regulate our emotional state as we normally would.  This can mean we snap at others or lash out in ways.

Stress at work can make us feel strained mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.  The mental strain and fatigue affect concentration, or memory, causing even more stress and pressure at work.  The emotional and psychological burden impacts in various ways.  We may feel low, anxious, panicked, or depressed, in addition to the stress.  This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and the inability to regulate emotions, sometimes resulting in anger or tearfulness.

A demanding job and work environment can cause physical problems.  Some people experience shortness of breath, headaches, migraines, stomach problems, sleep disturbances, inability to concentrate, a short temper, and exhaustion.  Stress is also known as the ‘silent killer’, impacting cardiovascular disease, and cancers.  It is also linked to the fourth leading cause of death, physical injury.

Due to all the possible impacts that workplace stress has, relationships can suffer.  For example, when someone is overworking, they can’t give time to loved ones.  Even when they are free, they can be irritable, fatigued, and stressed – not a great combination for relationships.

A significant cause of substance misuse is stress.  Many people will use substances as a way of coping with stress and the feelings that accompany it.  This means people increase their use of substances like caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, or prescription and illicit drugs, and can form a dependence on them.  This however is a form of avoidance and exacerbates other symptoms.