Stress is a common topic among working-class people. Work stress is almost inevitable; from pressure to meet a deadline and expectation to fulfill a challenging obligation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 47 million American workers quit their jobs in 2021.
They left their jobs due to work stress and also to improve their mental health.
Work stress is the feeling of exhaustion from workload which further affects your effectiveness and efficacy towards work.
Even though stress tends to have its short-term benefit to the body which includes providing energy, and increasing alertness; you should, however, be observant of its symptoms.
The symptoms of work stress can be physical, psychological, and behavioral. Here are symptoms of work stress you should never ignore.
- Insomnia
If you notice you find it difficult to sleep at night, that could be a sign that you are work-stressed.
Lack of sleep is the most common symptom among people who are work-stressed because the neurological and hormonal system that regulates sleep has been affected by stress.
- Physical exhaustion
Persistent tiredness or fatigue should also be watched out for.
When one is physically exhausted, one lacks energy, motivation, focus, and engagement.
So if you notice you get tired easily and sleep off at the slightest opportunity then you might be going through work stress.
- Change in eating habits
Yes, stress affects your appetite. When you are stressed, you will either eat more than you did before or less.
You might tend to eat less because you are too occupied and distracted or you crave more foods in order to feel better.
If you feel less hungry while under stress and really famished when you are done then that might be a sign.
- Headache and stomach ache
Most times, people get to have headaches when they are stressed.
According to a study, you might be experiencing stress if you tend to have indigestion, nausea, and stomach aches more often than you do before.
- Mood swings and irritability
Some people feel irritated and angry when they are stressed.
A study found that people who experienced high levels of stress also became irritable and angry. In turn, this led to an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.
So if you find yourself becoming easily irritated, having mood swings, or feeling more anxious or sad than usual, stress could be a contributing factor.
After noticing one or more of the above symptoms, it is necessary to take steps to handle them in order to reduce the risk of mental health issues.
If work stress is not handled as quickly as possible it can escalate to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, so here are some tips to handle work stress.
- Visit the doctor
The first thing to do is to seek the help of a professional. Seeing a professional doctor will help you confirm if these symptoms are caused by stress or some other condition.
Do not ignore the symptoms and do not get yourself involved in self-medication.
- Find out the exact cause of the stress
Before you can solve any problem you must be able to identify the problem. Take your time to answer the question: What is making you stressed?
If you are able to identify what the cause is, you will be able to understand it and find the best way to handle it.
Did your workload increase recently? Is it your working environment? Answer these questions and make a list of them so you will be able to look into them.
- Social support
No man can be an island of his own, so seek help and support when needed.
Speak to people that you know can help in reducing stress like friends, work colleagues/bosses, or a therapist.
You can talk to your boss about changing your working conditions too.
- Stay healthy
Amazingly, staying healthy solves almost all health issues.
Dropping some lifestyle choices can help too. According to several studies, being conversant about your diet and exercise can help relieve stress.
Eat a well-balanced diet at the appropriate time.
- Make time for relaxation
Take a break to relax when needed. If you refuse to give your body a break when due, it does it by itself so to avoid this, take a break.
Relax, engage in your hobbies, and do things that make you happy in order to reduce your stress.
Even if you relax for just 15-20 mins per day, it is necessary.
A study suggested that those who relax are less likely to experience work stress compared to those who do not.
Work stress might be inevitable for a working-class person but it is important to be observant of your body and take necessary steps when needed to avoid escalation.
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