 |
Stress at Work - What are the Danger Signs ?
Author: Leslie Hardy | Posted: 17-07-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 6 | 
Stress is a well documented source of medical problems, and there are specialist medical practitioners who can assist sufferers. Most people feel under stress at some time during their working day, or even during time spent with family and friends. Indeed, many experts argue that a small amount of stress is a useful source of stimulation.
So, the question is, am I suffering from excessive stress at work ?
This is a difficult question as stress is very much a personal experience. Some people are noticeably busy all day at work, yet they seem to handle it well. On the other hand, if some workers are faced with a deadline, they will become short tempered, argumentative, abusive and red faced.
Rather than go to the extreme of consulting a doctor, there are several factors we can consider in an attempt to measure our own stress levels.
Firstly, let us consider the following statements-
1 'Some days, I just don't want to go to work'.
Although most of us go to work in order to earn a wage, work can be interesting, and assist personal development. For some fortunate people, it can also be fun. If work is consistently an unpleasant experience whilst others seem to enjoy what they are doing in the workplace, this is a danger signal.
2 'Deadlines in work are on the increase, and many are simply unrealistic'.
Most work tasks need to take place within a time framework. A productive worker will perform tasks as and when they become apparent and, at the end of each day, they will clear their desk, and possibly their workload. The very fact that management feel the need to give a task a deadline often indicates that the worker has a reputation for dragging his/her feet.
3 'I used to be able to make decisions quickly and be able to justify them to colleagues with confidence'.
As one ascends the ladder at work, then decisions do become more complex and the people who question decisions are better informed and more articulate. However, if decision making suddenly becomes more difficult, this is likely to be a sign of stress. Mental paralysis is a sign of acute stress, and at its worst, the patient is unable to make even the most mundane decisions.
4 'Many jobs I have to do are boring and repetitive, yet I must get the details right'.
Whatever one's level of seniority at work, most of the daily tasks are repetitive. This is due to the intrinsic nature of work. Repetitive tasks are often a blessing in disguise as they do not demand high levels of imagination. If a worker was subjected to a series of unconnected and novel tasks, this could be a serious challenge. The desire for constant challenge and stimulus, and contempt for the commonplace and mundane, can be a symptom of stress.
5 'I frequently take work home at night, but struggle to focus on it after dinner'.
Taking work home at night, is common in many occupations. However, taking work home every night is definitely unhealthy and it will inevitably upset a sensible work / life balance. Many people think about work problems when they are away from work. Being absent from work often provides an opportunity to consider problems from a more detached and objective viewpoint. Taking work home, but failing to make progress on work taken home is counterproductive.
6 'Although I try to listen to other people's conversations, I am often preoccupied with my own thoughts'.
Failure to listen to others and to respond appropriately will often lead to disharmony within a workgroup. If you are a manager of a team, it is essential for you to listen attentively and sympathetically to what your colleagues are saying, even if you have heard it several times before. If the problem is due to an inability to concentrate and focus, then this is a sign of stress.
Although, there is no objective measurement of stress, a consideration of the above factors should assist to clarify whether a person is experiencing undue levels of stress at work. If so, the first thing to do is to discuss this with the Human Resources Manager, if there is one, failing that it useful to air matters with one's family and friends. If the symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to see a medical practitioner. Rate this Article:
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/stress-at-work-what-are-the-danger-signs--183157.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Is Your Food Stressing You Out?
By: Christopher Green | 10/07/2006 |
I'm in a continual state of alert regarding so-called cures for stress, depression and anxiety. I want to be aware of any new breakthroughs that happen and I also want to be equally aware of new solutions that simply offer false hope.
Rising Healthcare Costs Open New Opportunities For Nurses And Healthcare Providers
By: Joyce Dillon | 11/06/2007 | Medicine
Rising Healthcare Cost demands more preventive healthcare measures that can be provided by Nurses and Healthcare Professionals.
The rising cost of medical treatment is causing many to rethink healthcare. More and more people struggle with health care premiums and companies are reducing medical benefits to cut expenses.
This gives rise to an...
Top Ten Self-fullness Tips for Sandwiched Women
By: Rosemary Lichtman | 27/04/2008 | Stress Management
Sandwiched Generation women following these 10 tips can learn how to take better care of themselves.
Are Your Memories Depressing You?
By: Christopher Green | 09/08/2006 |
One of the ways stress, depression and anxiety affects sufferers is in the way they recall events from their lives. I call this "Selective Thinking" and in this article, you'll discover how selective thinking fuels stress, depression and anxiety.
3 Crucial First Steps To Beating Stress
By: Christopher Green | 06/09/2006 |
If you're enduring a harrowing episode of stress, depression or anxiety, then seeing light at the end of the tunnel can be difficult. You just want the torment to stop. Here are three steps you can take to start walking towards the light today:
1.
8 Simple Tips for a Stress Free Life
By: Leon Edward | 10/04/2007 | Non-Fiction
Use the following simple tips to find ways of combating stress and tension and feel the rewards of a more relaxing existence...
How Sleep is Related to Everyday Performance
By: Winsome Coutts | 26/01/2008 | Health
If you don't sleep properly, you won't function properly...simple as that. Each person has there own sleep threshold and needs, but there are some basic limits that we all must follow when it comes to sleeping. Here are some guidelines for making sure that you are getting enough sleep. Read on...
Stress & Change: Three Ways to Manage Life Changes More Comfortably
By: Tanja Gardner | 07/02/2006 | Advice
It's a natural human response to feel stress when there's a major change looming on the horizon. This article looks at how to manage the stress that comes from change, and offers practical suggestions for both managing the changing situation, and making o
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Has anyone survived 5 years + having small cell ...
By: suzannel | 11-05-2008
has anyone survived 5 years + having small cell lung cancer ?If so, what did you do?Thanks Suzanne
Whose lifestyle would you say is the most worry ...
By: drabsv | 11-05-2008
Whose lifestyle would you say is the most worry-free (distress-free) nowadays?
Stomach fat
By: kingsford123 | 10-05-2008
I have abs but I'm not quite sure how to get rid of that pouch at the bottom of my stomach. So, how do you get rid of that layer of fat?
Copd
By: z100a | 10-05-2008
is there someone here who has good results with low dose naltrexone for copd.
If my deductible is $500 do I have to pay the ...
By: ap91061 | 10-05-2008
if my deductible is $500 do I have to pay the whole amount in my first office visit or I have to wait for the explanation of benefits and pay according to it
Lymph Nodes, swollen
By: dreagurl | 10-05-2008
My Lymph nodes are swollen they been for 2 weeks, I think its allergies, yet I had a swollen node on my neck 2 months ago, is that normal?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Non-Fiction Articles
I Hate the Color Orange
By: John A. Lewis, Jr. | 13/05/2008
This is a short autobiographical story about sexual abuse and its effects on an adult. The story is harrowing, but true. It would make an excellent editorial for magazines/books dealing with the trauma of childhood abuse and the long healing process.
Get a Cast of Characters to Help You Write A Book
By: Joan Clout-Kruse | 12/05/2008
You can get help with your writing just ask around! Here are some resources for helping you get your book on the way: writing buddies, book and publishing coaches, cheerleaders, interviewers, researchers, bookstores, reviewers, experts, authors, speakers, testimonials and bloggers, just to name a few. Just imagine you could have all these people rooting for your success!
Teena
By: SreeLakshmy | 11/05/2008
Teena had a bad life from her birth. none cared her. everybody ran behind money, even her parents. when her husband died, she decided to live a life like her wish.
How to Stay Motivated While Writing Your Great Book
By: Joan Clout-Kruse | 09/05/2008
Get acquainted with some important elements that can help you keep motivated to write. These elements include, but are not limited to: being in a positive environment, listening to music, writing in a clean work area, having a plan, limit distractions, and attending a writer's retreat. With this in mind, and writing about what you love, you will be sure to stay motivated to finish your book.
Scribbles and Margins
By: Elea Almazora | 09/05/2008
Even though it may not seem like it, the times wherein I have the opportunity to write – simply write! – for my own pleasure, for the sheer love of it, have been getting fewer and fewer as the days go by. It used to be that I had the time and the energy skip over to the nearest coffee shop (Starbucks is a preference, of course) with a pretty hard bound brown paper journal and my trusty fountain pen with brown ink.
The Camping Trip
By: Tahtimbo | 24/04/2008
This is a true story of what occured on a camping trip.
How to Write a Best Seller
By: Joan Clout-Kruse | 18/04/2008
Learn the formula for a best seller. Some of the tips are: Have an attention-getting title, attractive book cover design, sales information on back cover, testimonials, terrific titles for your Table of Contents, and of course good content. You'll see that you too can write a best seller by simply following a few key writing tips.
Write an eBook - Make Money
By: Joan Clout-Kruse | 18/04/2008
There are thousands of articles on the Internet that show you how to write an eBook, but very few that tell you what you need to do to market and sell your eBook online. Some marketing tips include: Doing research, building a website, building a list, writing a sales page, having a Paypal account, promoting online, writing articles, and joining joint ventures.
More from Leslie Hardy
Northern Rock And Bear Stearns - A Comparison
By: Leslie Hardy | 26/03/2008 | Mortgage
The dramatic rescue of Bear Stearns by the Federal Reserve Bank over the weekend of 15 March 2008 was a bold and imaginative move to protect the international reputation of US financial markets. The timely rescue of Bear Stearns invites comparison with the dismal dithering of the UK authorities in their handling of Northern Rock.
Northern Rock - How A Problem Became a Disaster
By: Leslie Hardy | 12/03/2008 | Banking
The UK government's mishandling of the liquidity problem at Northern Rock exacerbated matters. The episode demonstrates the failure of the tripartite regime and bodes ill for the future of the bank under nationalisation.
Northern Rock Is Nationalised - What Does This Mean ?
By: Leslie Hardy | 07/03/2008 | Mortgage
The UK government took the unexpected and controversial move to nationalise Northern Rock. What does this mean for shareholders, depositors and mortgage customers ?
Northern Rock - Shareholders Are Not Seduced By Virgin
By: Leslie Hardy | 01/03/2008 | Mortgage
Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group is the UK government's preferred bidder for Northern Rock. But he is facing hostility from shareholders.
Would You Borrow $80bn From This Man ?
By: Leslie Hardy | 20/11/2007 | Banking
Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England, has offered 3 month loans, in the sum of $80bn, to beleagured UK banks. But there are no takers.
Why Did Northern Rock Call in the Bank of England ?
By: Leslie Hardy | 11/10/2007 | Non-Fiction
The rescue of Northern Rock plc by the Bank of England indicates the serious repercussions of the subprime mortgage crisis. The high levels of consumer debt are also being questioned.
Bank Of England Shipwrecked On Northern Rock
By: Leslie Hardy | 06/10/2007 | Finance
The handling of the liquidity crisis at Northern Rock by the UK authorities has become a major embarrassment for the government and Gordon Brown in particular. The new Prime Minister has always stressed his achievements as Chancellor of the Exchequer during the period 1997 to 2007, while he was waiting...
Northern Rock - A Bank Built On Sand?
By: Leslie Hardy | 06/10/2007 | Finance
The confirmation by the Bank of England of support for Northern Rock plc on 12 September 2007 is the first major sign of international fallout from the collapse of the US subprime mortgage lending market.
In the US, lenders such as New Century Financial Corporation, the second largest subprime lender in...
|
|
Writing 
