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Corporate stress has reached epidemic proportions, so much so, that a recent report by the world health organisation notes that stress will be the second leading cause of mortality worldwide over the next twenty years. Part of the problem with dealing with stress is that many of us don't actually like to admit it to ourselves or to others that we might not be coping. It is considered a sign of weakness, particularly, harder for men. We live in an age where we face impossible expectations to live up to in terms of the belief that you really can have it all and we go to extraordinary lengths to prove the point.There are some positive signs that the younger generation are starting to rebel more and are beginning to put increased well-being and quality of life above career and financial goals. In many companies as high as forty per cent of employee turnover can be attributed to corporate stress and this is in spite of all the moves to bring about flexible working and well-being programmes, on-site gyms and dress down informal days. So what is it and how do we recognise the signs? Stress prompts the fight or flight reaction in us. When we believe we are in some kind of danger the pituitary gland automatically sounds an alarm by releasing a burst of adrenaline and cortisol into our systems to speed up our reactions and help us cope with the situation in hand. Clearly this is helpful when we are in clear extreme danger but less so when not. Stress in work and life is created by own reactions to situations rather than the events themselves so it starts in our heads. Some individuals will be more predisposed than others by nature due to being highly motivated, committed and with high, sometimes, impossible standards and an idealistic dedication to their work and family. Certain roles clearly will be more prone to stress than others such as the healthcare profession, police-force, and social work due to the nature of their environment and what they are exposed to. Corporate executive types and entrepreneurs who are operating in pressurised environments are high at risk of performance stress.
Stress symptoms on health and well-being.
• Increased heart beat and raised blood pressure
• Emotional reactions such as fear, anxiety, anger, sadness depression and withdrawal
• Lowered motivation and will power and increased hostility/irritability
• Indecision and prone to bouts of procrastination
• Memory loss and poor concentration levels
• Migraines, neck and back pain
• Poor sleep patterns to full insomniac
• Poor self-esteem and low confidence with increased self-limiting beliefs
• Weight gain/weight loss
• Impaired problem-solving ability
• State of fatigue, helplessness and feeling generally overwhelmed with life
• Increased reliance on drugs
• Premature aging
In a nutshell it brings imbalance.
There is a direct relationship between a stressful job and work environment and health problems such as impaired immune function, ulcers, cancers, heart attacks and in the very extreme case, suicide.
Burnout stress is the worst kind of stress with symptoms of complete physical, emotional and mental exhaustion which comes as a result of the pursuit of unattainable goals. 6 Tips to help you reduce stress 1) Consider whether your values and career goals are congruent with your company's values. Our values are the key to understanding what drives our behaviour and personal standards. Everyone has them even if they haven't spent time considering what these are. For example, job flexibility, time freedom, working in a collaborative culture, financial reward, honesty and integrity, creativity etc. If you value creativity and a work environment where you are free to work undirected you are more likely to be stressed in a conservative culture with very specific ways of operating and a multitude of systems and rules. If you value teamwork there is no point settling for a company with an overtly competitive, individualistic culture. Our career goals are likely to change over time where flexibility becomes more important due to changing family circumstances. Missing out on the children's nativity play or sports day will only build up resentment and cause frustration leading to stress. Consider your top five values and get clear on them to bring your work and life balance back.
2) Recognise when you are being taken advantage of.
If you are seen as someone who is loyal, hard-working and reliable it's easy to fall into the trap of being taken for granted or of self-imposed stress in your desire to deliver quality work. Learn to say No more.
3) Less really is more.
We are continuously faced with change these days putting increasing pressure on our stress management skills as we are asked to produce more with fewer resources in shorted deadlines. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges of maintaining balance between work and family life. Moreover, greater uncertainty in the marketplace, redundancy fears and poor job prospects only serve to increase the pressure. Invariably this leads to overtime, where work permeates all aspects of life. Holiday time is no longer sacred, Sundays become yet another workday. Less is more because it is only by recognising balance in our lives are we able to be fully present and focussed on the task in hand whether that be at work or at home. Too much information leads to indecision not action and too much work leads to no play .So learn to take control by taking time out, learning to switch off through relaxation and exercise as variety really is the spice of life. 4) Learn to become career self-reliant. Follow your passions in life as you are far more likely to be successful and find a more purpose drive life with more meaningful work. 5) You might be the problem. Consider whether the problem lies with you and what you can do to improve your situation. Are you a type a workaholic?
Are you being time-efficient and are you setting yourself impossible standards and goals?
Perhaps you are using work as an excuse so you don't have to deal with other aspects of your life such as your relationship. 6) Stop blaming yourself. Be proactive and ask for help.
When we become clearer on our values and what is really most important to us it becomes easier to navigate the path of work and life balance and avoid the common pitfalls of corporate stress. Time freedom is fast becoming the most sought after commodity of this decade ahead of sex and money. When all said and done, time is really all we have so far better to be spending our days happy and fulfilled rather than stressed out and ill.
Kath Roberts is a corporate escapee, now an entrepreneur who coaches others in how to follow her lead and set-up their own home-based business selling personal development products and living a life of time and financial freedom. You could have this too. For more information please visit Alchemy4thesoul.com:
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