Modern work can be stressful for many. In any workplace, competition is tough because many are looking for jobs but only a few get hired. So, workers need to be always on their toes if they want to keep their job or risk getting sacked several months later. Moreover, the use of various technologies can also be challenging for any new worker as they have to learn so many things at once to be able to function as expected at work, which is not always an easy thing to do.
Co-workers may be silently waiting for you to make a mistake to make you look bad in front of the boss. All these things make work life even more taxing. Work metrics are even more ridiculous than ever. How can average Joe fit in and do his/ her job properly through it all? But the most important question is: “Is you work causing your psyche undue stress and make you more susceptible to depression?”
Psychological disorders, which include depression, severe anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and many others, are a worldwide issue that cut across every sector of society. Anyone can be affected by these disorders, regardless of sex, age, race, or gender. They cause an individual to react in a manner adverse to others, and ultimately ensure that said individual would find it burdensome to maintain a normal relationship with society.
The problem of mental health presents a particular conundrum under labor relations and standards. Employers and employees alike walk a very thin line between recognizing that psychological disorders are a real problem and therefore must be treated accordingly, and safeguarding against abuse and misreading of symptoms. It does not help that, unlike physical disabilities which can be verified easily through a mere eye test, psychological disorders by their very nature vary greatly from person to person, in terms of the originating cause, the degree, the time period, or even the actual existence thereof. As a result, a valid diagnosis can be very difficult, if not impossible.
(Via: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?id=142589)
Many will often shrug off work-related stress because most people go through it every day. As competition increases, demand at work likewise does. Unfortunately, no one tells students about this. At times it can negatively affect the employee and even put a strain in their personal lives. And it is not surprising to find employees who suffer from chronic anxiety and depression because the workplace proved too much for their failing mental and physical health.
A culture of long working hours at some companies can cause workers to collapse from a build-up of stress, experts warn.
Hours spent sitting at desks could affect people’s physical and psychological health, they said.
“The typical workplace scenario demands that people are sitting at their desks, often in front of computers, for very long stretches of time,” said Dr Deema Sihweil, a clinical psychologist at the Carbone Clinic.
“Tight deadlines, job insecurity or social-political issues at the workplace also contribute to stress build up.
“Long working hours without enough break time to attend to other life matters, strict office policies and workplace inflexibility are known to have a significant negative impact on physical and psychological health.”
Even low levels of stress can manifest themselves in various ways without regular preventive measures such as exercise, adequate sleep and a good support network, according to Dr Sihweil.
“Headaches, digestive problems, joint pain, irritable bowel syndrome and most especially muscle tension around the body are common manifestations of stress, not to mention the cognitive distress we experience,” she said.
“Not only does being physically idle at the desk cause stress to the body, but psychological stress from work issues or family issues can lead to pain all over.”
We not only work to earn a living but to realize our life’s potential as well. However, it would be hard, if not impossible, to do so if we are constantly dreading the thought of work. Our most productive years are during our working years but it also proves to be the most stressful too. While not all companies give importance to the mental health of their employees, including abuse, it is usually your personal responsibility to look after yourself.
If you are not happy with your work, then it is probably a sign that it is time to go looking for a new job. If you love your work but it is just the environment and the workload that bothers you, then research and try some stress-busting practices to help you cope with various work stressors. No matter how difficult life at work may be, you still have a choice to leave or rise above the situation.