10 Symptoms of Workplace Stress

It is no secret that stress and related disorders
are the most frequent cause of employee disability
(National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health). As far back as 1992, a United Nations
report called job stress a "world wide epidemic.

Control of workplace stress is a leadership
responsibility. Good leaders who recognize the
symptoms of stress can control situations to
create more desirable workplaces and to improve
both productivity and the bottom line.

Corporate leaders who have served in the military
recognize employee stress when they observe
symptoms such as:

1 Anxiety

2 Indecisiveness

3 Irritability

4 Complaining

5 Forgetfulness

6 Loss of self confidence

7 Argumentativeness

8 Insomnia

9 Rapid emotional shifts

10 Physical exhaustion

Symptoms such as these cost companies billions of
dollars each year in health care costs,
absenteeism, accidents, quality control, personnel
turnover, and various interpersonal relationship
problems.

Some managers mistakenly try to control stressful
problems by increasing demands and supervising
details. Increased urgency and focus on details
typically generates even more stress. The problems
shift from slight distractions, such as back pain,
headaches, and inattention, to more drastic
reactions such as absenteeism and medical
problems, both good indicators that stress levels
need attention.

Just as in the Army, most business leaders must be
taught to manage stress and to observe for
negative stress reactions. All managers need to
understand the importance of positive stress in
maximizing accuracy and productivity. And they
need to know how to control the negative stress
for the benefit of those involved and the bottom
line.

If you don't have qualified staff in your company,
outside consultants and trainers can help you
evaluate current stress levels and train everyone
involved. Remember, stress control is a
leadership responsibility.

Get my article about controlling the top ten
workplace stressors by sending blank email
MailTo:10stressors@couragebuilders.com

Copyright 2005

You may edit this article for length or content
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Include my full byline and add a hyperlink
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a courtesy link or email to collie@couragebuilders.com

Dale Collie (MailTo:collie@couragebuilders.com)speaker, author, and former US Army Ranger,CEO,and professor at West Point. Selected by"Fast Company" as one of America's Fast 50innovative leaders. Author of "FrontlineLeadership: From War Room to Boardroom," and"Winning Under Fire: Turn Stress into Success theUS Army Way." (McGraw-Hill)http://www.couragebuilders.com

De-Stressing Your Life

Technology doesn't seem to be making life easier, if anything it's making life more stressful. With faxes, emails, and cell phones, everyone wants things to happen now. Although it's unlikely you can get away from modern technology, you can do a couple of things to lower your stress levels.

Get Unplugged

Sure TV is great once in a while, but there are better ways to relax than watching the boob tube. Studies show that your brain activity is lower when you watch TV than when you sleep, so get off the couch and get moving. Read a book, look through a magazine or even sleeping are much better alternatives than watching TV.

Get a Friend

Social ties are important and if you have a friend whose shoulder you can cry on or who doesn't mind if you call her in the middle of the night, you'll find yourself a lot happier and less burdened. Getting your feelings off your chest do a lot to help decrease your stress levels.

Get Physical

Exercising, whether through hard-core running or death-breathing yoga, is a great way to raise your adrenaline levels and lower your stress levels at the same time.

Get a Pet

Studies show that those of us with pets, even better if it's a dog, have lower stress levels and better relationships. There's just something about having your dog greet you when you come home from work that makes it all worth the while.

Get Out

Everyone needs Vitamin D, especially during the long winter months. Taking a 20 minute walk and breathing fresh air and appreciating the beauty of nature around you is a great way to get grounded and take in the world around you.

Although you can't get away from technology of this day and age, you can make short escapes. Try one or two of the above suggestions this week and you'll see how quickly your stress disappears.

Sharon de Hinojosa (naturegirl321) has lived and worked (mainly teaching English) in the US, Scotland, Spain, the Czech Republic, China, Korea, and Peru. And taught short-term in Venezuela and Taiwan. Her work has been featured in Transitions Abroad, Viva Travel Guides, TEFL News, and ELT World.

She has created The LA Job List http://www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com which lists schools, institutes and universities in 19 Latin American countries which offer English teaching positions.

Since living in Peru since August 2006, she wrote The Ultimate Peru List http://www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com . With 50 pages and updated monthly it's a comprehensive guide for those living in or moving to Peru.

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