Work Stress: How It Affects You, And the Best Way to Handle It
We’ve
all had moments of stress. Stress comes in when you have a deadline to meet, a
presentation to make, or when you are up to your neck in unfinished paperwork.
During these times, you notice an increase in alertness, an increase in your
heart rate and faster breathing. These are all common representations of
stressors. However, we fail to realize that stress comes in many forms.
Something as simple as deciding where to order lunch or what color of shoes to
wear to work are also stressors in their own way.
The construction industry is a highly stressful environment. There are many times that construction does not go as planned, payments can be delayed or the project may be falling behind on the timeline. All of these factors and more you can actually track on a good construction RFI software.
Acute and Chronic Stress
There
are two types of stress that we can encounter: acute and chronic. Acute stress
occurs and resolves quickly. It is your body at work reacting to your
primordial fight or flight response. An example would be pitching a
presentation in front of a crowd or getting in an argument with a co-worker.
This response also occurs when you’re doing something exciting such as
skydiving or simply watching a horror movie. On the other hand, chronic stress
occurs for long periods of time, sometimes spanning weeks or months. Your body
usually finds ways to adapt to chronic stress and helps you adapt. It is during
times that we can no longer respond well that our body goes into a state of disequilibrium,
also known as a state of distress. Here, we break down how chronic stress can
affect you and how you can handle it.
Forgetfulness
The
over secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol, may lead to impairment of some
parts of the brain responsible for long-term memory formation. When you’re
stressed you may find it hard to remember the little things such as where you
placed your keys. At times of extreme stress, you will also find it hard to
recall important information.
What to
do:
If
you find yourself fussing over where you placed your things, make it’s a habit
to keep your work station organized. Working in construction is a highly
stressful occupation in itself, don’t add to the troubles by leaving a
cluttered desk where even the smallest task of finding a stapler can cause you
additional stress.
Fatigue
Chronic
stress can leave you always feeling tired and drained of energy. Fatigue may be
a feeling of physical tiredness or emotional burn-out. Sometimes it can be a
combination of both. Fatigue can also be a sign of a more serious consequence
of stress- depression. Due to the high-stress nature of the construction industry,
there is an increasing rate of suicide related to depression among construction
workers.
What to
do:
Combat fatigue through regular exercise. Try to make time for a short exercise every day. If this is not possible, get some exercise by trying to incorporate exercise in your daily routine. Walk to work, if it’s feasible. Stretch at your desk, or maybe take the stairs instead of taking the lift. Exercise releases endorphins, the happy hormones, and this helps to combat the effects of cortisol in your body.
Irritability
If
you find yourself flinching at the smallest of things in the office, this may
be a sign that you’re under stress. This builds an unwarranted amount of
tension in the office that can also cause stress in other workers. If you find
yourself quick to anger, maybe this is a sign that you have to take a breather.
What to
do:
Don’t
be quick to act on your anger. Sometimes, you may need to remove yourself from
the stressful situation and take time to think so that you can make better
decisions. If you feel that the tension is building up in a situation, excuse
yourself and try to compose your thoughts. Try to always be the better person
in the situation and try not to contribute any additional stress in the
workplace.
Palpitations
Due
to an increase in cortisol levels, your fight or flight response is marked by
an increase in heart rate. This is your body trying to prepare you for a
stressful event. People under stress find themselves experiencing palpitations
even at rest. This may be a sign of a more serious condition that requires
medical attention.
What to
do:
If
you find yourself experiencing palpitations, you should seek to consult with a
medical professional. For the meantime, you should also try to avoid taking
stimulants such as coffee. Also, try to cut back or totally eliminate smoking
if you’re a smoker.
The post Work Stress: How It Affects You, And the Best Way to Handle It appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.
