Stress, or the bodily reactions and response to threatening or difficult situations, is a natural “fight or flight” instinct that is embedded within all individuals. Manageable levels of stress for a reasonable duration enables an individual to be creative and efficient at work (i.e. optimises performance). However, when stress becomes too much the body reacts in an extremely negative manner, causing disruption to normal functioning and can contribute to the development of numerous disorders and diseases.
Occupational stress
As humans, most of our time in life is spent working, compared to any other activity. Occupational stress is a result of a factor or combinations of factors at work. It interacts with the worker to disrupt their psychological or physical wellbeing. It can be caused by a number of factors including:
- Work/stimulus overload—resulting from a perception of excess in terms of what the worker is expected to do. It may also be the ambiguity of the task required of the worker.
- Work/stimulus under load—occurs when there are not enough tasks for the worker to undertake.
Consequences of stress
- Diseases—stress has been the consequence for 50-80% of diseases
- Insomnia—the inability to fall asleep
- Hypertension—high blood pressure, which would lead to lethal complications.
- Aging—research has proven that people age faster when they experience more stress
(Stress Management 2001).
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Stress management helps counter the various effects of stress. Stress management refers to the techniques employed by psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, and therapists, besides others, who help stressed individuals to relieve their stress, tensions, and resume their lives in a normal, stress-free way. The various techniques that can be employed in stress management include relaxation, interaction, biofeedback, cognitive behaviour therapy, exercises, such as muscle stretching exercises, yoga, meditation, time management techniques, and many more (Stress Management 2001). Effective management of stress and associated psychological demands such as anxiety are examined further at the following links:
References
Stress Management 2001, Stress Management for Effective Ways to Manage Stress / Stress Management Therapy, Stress Management, Perth viewed 28 June 2007.