Top 5 Killer Workplace Stress & How To Avoid Them

Stress is basically buildup of emotional conflict. When that conflict goes unresolved, it turns into states of frustration and exhaustion.

Our bodies are naturally designed to handle stress.

The responses vary, but stress can produce undesirable effects upon the body, potentially causing disease. Most notably it can lead to coronary heart diseases (CHD).

In fact, most cases of CHD occur because of elevated stress levels, especially in the workplace manifest from numerous scenarios, I’m going to reveal the most commons causes stemming from workplace stress.

Top 5 Killer Workplace Stress & How To Avoid Them

#5. Undefined Role in the Organization

Ambiguity is enough to hamper motivation levels of any employee, regardless of skill or potential.

Psychologists agree ambiguity in a job role often has damaging effects when an employee lacks direction on tasks.

A level of expectation from would still be present, even though the employee would probably not understand his or her own responsibility. All of this leads to indecisiveness, fatigue and frustration; which all builds up stress within an individual.

According to the CDC this is what most workers have to say about stress on the job.

#4. Lack of Career Development

For many, the importance of work or their importance to the organization is crucial. Self-esteem has a big role to play in the buildup of morale.

As mental health goes, good morale helps ward off stress.

In the economically recessed reality of today’s world, morale is not easy to come by. And this is for people who do manage to find a company to fit in.

For many, the cause of stress is not feeling valued by the company. Again, this can be due to lack of appreciation for their efforts or simply keeping them in a static position.

In both cases, the scenario cultivates inferiority which leads to elevated levels of frustration or anger.

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#3. Poor Organizational Structure

Sometimes your role is clear and the job offers plenty of room for growth and improvement; but the business itself can be a drawback.

This is caused by poor working facilities, lax standards of health or safety, improper working hours etc.

It can also be in the form of management approaching employees; not involving them in decision making or consulting them for important changes nor listening to concerns regarding the organization.

Employees have stake in most issues and not placing faith in them creates dissatisfaction within the organization. In most cases, if individuals feel concerns regarding a prevalent issue aren’t being addressed, then frustration and anxiety levels increase.

#2. Work-Life Balance

In our recessed economy, finding a job allowing equal priority to work and family is a tough ask.

Putting it simply, people need fulfilling work to ward off laziness and lethargy. A person also equally needs family life to relax and fend off fatigue – both mental and physical.

In most countries, working hours are becoming more irregular which is leading to people staying late at the office. Naturally, this is disrupting family life and upsetting their balance.

Increased levels of fatigue, dizziness, and depression have become common; all of these symptoms point towards an increasingly over-stressed workforce.

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#1. Strained Interpersonal Relations

This is, without a shadow of doubt, the leading cause of stress in the global workplace today.

An employee’s well being primarily rests upon interacting with others in the organization.

Humans are social animals so a need to interact is always present. While on the clock, it can be particularly important as it can set the tone for how employees work, leaves or grows within the organization.

An encouraging manager, alongside friendly and helpful colleagues, sets the base for healthy interactions, which eases and motivates all team members.

Conversely, an impolite boss and aggressive colleagues can instantly demotivate an individual. Paranoia, insecurity and fear are all natural developments in such an environment; which can all give room for growth of serious mental health issues.

In each case the body can exhibit a series of physical, cognitive or behavioral signs which can point to a person suffering from stress. In terms of its physical responses, the body has a few actions such as:

• Increased cholesterol and fatty acids in blood for energy production systems
• Localized inflammation
• Faster blood clotting
• Increased production of blood sugar for energy
• Increased stomach acids leading to even bladder diseases

This was an informative study on the evolution and prevalence of workplace stress.

Cognitive and behavioral indicators range from forgetfulness, distraction and decreased attention; to loss of appetite, increased dependence upon alcohol and isolation from other people.

The most damaging result is often the isolation that stress causes which further hampers the effect any treatment can have. Many experts insist upon communication between managers and employees so that they can improve their own interpersonal relations.

What To Do About It

Many organizations employ HR tactics like energizers, employee growth seminars; introducing practices and activities to reduce stress within their workforce.

The most indicative practice is interaction between employees.

Doctors and psychiatrists both speak about the benefits of having a workforce that has “bonded” together. Such a workforce not only performs more efficiently via teamwork, but also is more relaxed and open around each other – which helps relieve stress amongst individuals.

As it stand, the workplace can be the biggest contributor to stress in many countries.

Changing the root condition behind recessions is still a must. There are ways in which we can combat stress as an ailment and help ourselves and others around our office live in a more fulfilling and healthy manner.

Be sure to check out the 11 tips to eliminate work stress for good!