How mental health is taking a backseat over work pressure
How mental health is taking a backseat over work pressure
A job and a thriving career is an important part of our lives. Not only does it help us fulfill personal needs and achieve personal aims, but it also helps in establishing a routine and building a social network.
Even a ‘dream job’ has its fair share of stressful deadlines and responsibilities. A healthy dose of stress can act as a motivator that helps us meet performance expectations and keeps us on track.
There are many health boosting and social benefits of engaging in a meaningful job. Concentrating on completion of daily tasks keeps depression and negative thoughts at bay. It improves mental well-being, and a rewarding job also acts as a protective factor against suicide.
But we can’t deny the fact that sometimes long hours and constant stress takes a toll on one’s mental health. According to these statistics, 526,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety in the year 2016/17.
If you are constantly feeling overwhelmed by a supervisor or co-worker’s behavior or working longer hours more frequently than you can handle in the hopes of earning a promotion, then it’s time to pause and think about your mental well-being. Try taking a dementia test online, if you are facing certain symptoms like forgetfulness and confusion.
Common job stressors
To know what’s causing unnecessary work pressure, you should know some of the most common job stressors. Here is a list of some of the most common sources of stress at the workplace:
- Excessive workload
- Not getting enough appreciation
- Tough deadlines
- Not enjoying the type of work
- Having to take on other people’s job responsibilities
- Unclear targets
- Lack of control on your working day
If you have been facing some of these problems for a while, it is time to get in touch with your doctor and take the necessary brain tests to get proper diagnosis and treatment.
How the body reacts to excessive stress
It is no secret that excessive work pressure and stress not only takes an emotional toll but also affects your physical health. Long working hours and never-ending job responsibilities can lead to erratic eating habits. You’ll find yourself glued to your desk all day long, leaving little or no time to work out and get some physical exercise. This dangerous cycle results in weight problems, high blood pressure, and hypertension.
What’s more, work pressure can also lead to a mental burnout, which is a condition marked by the lack of motivation to work, cynical attitude and negativity. This usually happens if employees fail to get their due share of recognition and growth in the workplace.
The person suffering from burnout experiences intense episodes of physical and mental fatigue, social isolation and pessimism.
If burnout is not treated effectively, it can lead to depression and other serious health issues – even premature death.
This is why you should start looking for ways that can reduce work pressure and increase happiness in the workplace.
Good mental health and productivity
Good mental health can affect your overall productivity in the workplace. One study found that employees who are happy and satisfied are up to 20% more productive than those who are not. So, today we are going to share some tips that can help you manage workplace stress in a much better way. Watch your productivity levels soar as you start giving priority to your mental health:
1. Enjoy your workday breaks
Make sure that you don’t skip your workday breaks even if you are occupied in the most important of tasks. A 10-minute ‘personal time’ that involves talking to a co-worker, a brief walk outside the office premises or simply enjoying your lunch will refresh you and help you get through the day.
2. Don’t over aim
If you are constantly feeling the need to prove yourself in the workplace, it is time to talk to your employer about your job description. No one is perfect, and your job responsibilities may need slight tweaking that will not only benefit your health but will also improve overall productivity in the workplace.
3. Engage with happy people
You’ll come across all types of people in your life. Some people have bubbly and magnetic personalities that naturally draw others towards them.
According to a study, there is a direct correlation between success and higher levels of happiness. So, make sure you interact with happy people who lift your spirits and motivate you to aim higher.
4. Create your own bubble of happiness
While happiness is affected by life circumstances and other external factors, Sonia Lyubomirsky suggests in The How of Happiness that we have control over about 40% of our happiness.
So, take charge and start controlling your own happiness. Do things that make you happy. Whether it is a martial arts class after work or a Thai cooking short course – do it and inspire others around you to do the same.
5. Ask for help
It’s high time that we break the stigma associated with poor mental health. None of us is superhuman, and we all deserve help when the going gets tough. If there isn’t an employee assistance program in your organization, talk to your HR manager about it.
On the other hand, you can also get in touch with your local GP and explain your symptoms in detail. A doctor can refer you to a specialized counselor, and things can get better with therapy or medication depending on your condition.
Conclusion:
Most organizations should recognize the importance of mental wellbeing of their employees. Policies should be shaped in a way that it helps them grow. Workplace culture should support authenticity and openness so that everyone can share their concerns without hesitation.
After all, a happy employee leads to a successful organization.
Does your workplace have a peer support system and mentoring programs for staff members who deal with mental health problems? If yes, has it improved your performance and productivity at work?
ABOUT Alycia Gordan
Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer who loves to read and write articles on healthcare technology, fitness and lifestyle. She is a tech junkie and divides her time between travel and writing. You can find her at @meetalycia.
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