Workplace stressAs a psychologist working in Ottawa, I find that more and more people are having difficulty coping with the demands of their work.
Right now as the economy adjusts to what is happening in the world, things are getting tougher. You may be finding it harder to keep up with the pace of your work and the increasing demands that are put on you. You are not alone! Some stress is a normal part of life, we all have stress and in some ways, stress can be a positive motivator that helps us achieve our goals. We are not talking about that kind of stress. |
Your stress at work may come from the increasing demands from the job and other issues. Perhaps the source of stress is caused by relationships with managers or a co-worker; it may not even be work-related but be more personal in nature.
When stress is shocking us to the point where it is affecting our work performance and our relationships at home, then you need to seek out help to put everything in perspective and get your life back on track so that your stress levels are manageable.
Warning signs of excessive stress
When people feel overwhelmed, they lose confidence and become irritable or withdrawn, making them less productive and effective and their work less rewarding. If the warning signs of work stress go unattended, they can lead to bigger problems. Beyond interfering with job performance and satisfaction, chronic or intense stress can also lead to physical and emotional health problems.
Signs and symptoms of excessive job and workplace stress:
Three simple things anyone can do to better cope with the stress
You have probably heard these simple things a million times. The reason for this is because they work!
If you live in the Ottawa area and would like to talk to a psychologist because you feel overwhelmed due to work-related stress, and need some help, send us an email and we can discuss your particular situation.
When stress is shocking us to the point where it is affecting our work performance and our relationships at home, then you need to seek out help to put everything in perspective and get your life back on track so that your stress levels are manageable.
Warning signs of excessive stress
When people feel overwhelmed, they lose confidence and become irritable or withdrawn, making them less productive and effective and their work less rewarding. If the warning signs of work stress go unattended, they can lead to bigger problems. Beyond interfering with job performance and satisfaction, chronic or intense stress can also lead to physical and emotional health problems.
Signs and symptoms of excessive job and workplace stress:
- You have anxious feelings, maybe you feel depressed or you are always irritable.
- You have lost interest in your work and are apathetic about it.
- You may be withdrawing socially as well as from members of your own family.
- You are tired all the time but have trouble sleeping at night.
- You may be getting headaches, stomach problems and diminished sex drive.
Three simple things anyone can do to better cope with the stress
You have probably heard these simple things a million times. The reason for this is because they work!
- Get some regular exercise. You don’t need to join a gym, just get out and walk for 30-60 minutes a day. The reason people don’t take this simple advice is that they are “way too busy’ and they have no idea of the very positive benefits both physically and emotionally simple exercise can have on an individual – especially those suffering from stress. You can get up 30 minutes earlier and go for a walk or you can walk before bed or if you watch TV- use some of that time.
- Eat good food. This too is way underrated. This is not hard and I am not talking about going on a diet, just be smart about what you eat, use your common sense.
- Think about ways you can manage the stress. Pretend you’re giving a friend advice and then consider that advice yourself. This is very simple and can go a long way in coping with the stress in your life.
If you live in the Ottawa area and would like to talk to a psychologist because you feel overwhelmed due to work-related stress, and need some help, send us an email and we can discuss your particular situation.
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