BURNOUT: WORK, STRESS AND HEALTH

We hear a lot about stress, but what is it? Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines stress as “the result produced when a structure, system or organism is acted upon by forces that disrupt equilibrium or produce strain”. In simpler terms, stress is the result of any emotional, physical, social, economic, or other factors that require a response or change. It is generally believed that some stress is ok (sometimes referred to as “challenge”or “positive stress”) but when stress occurs in amounts that you cannot handle, both mental and physical changes may occur.

“Workplace stress” is the harmful physical and emotional responses that can happen when there is a conflict between job demands on the employee and the amount of control an employee has over meeting these demands. In general, the combination of high demands in a job and a low amount of control over the situation can lead to stress.

Stress in the workplace can have many origins or come from one single event. It can impact on both employees and employers alike. As stated by the Canadian Mental Health Association:

„Fear of job redundancy, layoffs due to an uncertain economy, increased demands for overtime due to staff cutbacks act as negative stressors. Employees who start to feel the “pressure to perform” can get caught in a downward spiral of increasing effort to meet rising expectations with no increase in job satisfaction. The relentless requirement to work at optimum performance takes its toll in job dissatisfaction, employee turnover, reduced efficiency, illness and even death. Absenteeism, illness, alcoholism, “petty internal politics”, bad or snap decisions, indifference and apathy, lack of motivation or creativity are all by-products of an over stressed workplace.“

From: Canadian Mental Health Association, “Sources of Workplace Stress” Richmond, British Columbia.

In the workplace, stress can be the result of any number of situations. Some examples include:

Factors unique to the job
Role in Organization
Career development
Relationships at work
Organizational structure/climate etc.

Yes, stress can have an impact on your overall health. Our bodies are designed, pre-programmed if you wish, with a set of automatic responses to deal with stress. This system is very effective for the short term “fight or flight” responses we need when faced with an immediate danger. The problem is that our bodies deal with all types of stress in the same way. Experiencing stress for long periods of time (such as lower level but constant stressors at work) will activate this system, but it doesn’t get the chance to “turn off”. The body’s “pre-programmed” response to stress has been called the “Generalized Stress Response” and includes:

increased blood pressure
increased metabolism (e.g., faster heartbeat, faster respiration)
decrease in protein synthesis, intestinal movement (digestion), immune and allergic response systems
increased cholesterol and fatty acids in blood for energy production systems
localized inflammation (redness, swelling, heat and pain)
faster blood clotting
increased production of blood sugar for energy

increased stomach acids etc.

Employers can (need to) help!

Employers should assess the workplace for the risk of stress. Look for pressures at work which could cause high and long lasting levels of stress, and who may be harmed by these pressures. Determine what can be done to prevent the pressures from becoming negative stressors. Book a wallness or spa treatments for employees would be great idea to release stress and help employees.

Bruce Rabin, MD, PhD, a professor of pathology and psychiatry at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says: “The workplace needs to feel meaningful. If you feel like you’re not respected, that your opinion isn’t meaningful, you’re at an increased risk of heart disease,”

How to deal with stress!

There are many ways to be proactive in dealing with stress. In the workplace, you might try some of the following as suggested by the Canadian Mental Health Association:

Learn to relax, take several deep breaths throughout the day, or have regular stretch breaks. Stretching is simple enough to do anywhere and only takes a few seconds. (Tai chi or meditation are ways to relax).

Take charge of your situation by taking 10 minutes at the beginning of each day to priorize and organize your day. Be honest with your colleagues, but be constructive and make practical suggestions. Be realistic about what you can change.