Work Related Stress

Work related stress causes huge problems both financially and emotionally through sick days and damage to relationships and our all round well being. Stress is a normal response to pressure, and most jobs require a certain amount of challenge. However when the challenges and pressure become too much for us to cope with we begin to suffer. The 21st Century workplace seems so fast paced, and outcomes driven that while some people prosper in this environment some don’t.

Knowing why you are unhappy at work can be helpful when it comes to looking at what you can do to change things. Some of the things which may cause stress at work can be an unmanageable or unrealistic workload, long hours, pressure to meet unrealistic or impossible targets, workplace bullying, feeling undervalued or that your skills are being supressed.

Remember that stress is perfectly normal. We all need a certain level of stress in order to be able to get thongs done, and some people even thrive in a high pressured environment. However high levels of it or constantly feeling stressed isn’t healthy but rather destructive.

Also recognizing what your unhappiness is causing is useful. A sign of being stressed could be a change in habits, such as over or under eating, difficulty getting to or staying asleep, mood swings, or drinking more. The way you feel may change as well, such as dreading going to work, doubting yourself, constant anxiety, feeling isolated, lack of motivation, lack of sex drive, emotional sensitivity ie tearful or angry.  Physical symptoms could include irritable bowel syndrome, aches and pains, nausea, or chest pains.

Counselling can help address the impact the stress at work has on your personal life, such as broken sleep patterns, anxiety etc. If for example you find the same problem again and again in different jobs there may be a deeper rooted problem which needs addressed.

Counselling can help you explore and understand your unique ways of thinking and coping and develop new ways to move forward more positively and confidently. It can help build resilience to external pressures and develop assertiveness to communicate your values and boundaries appropriately.