Human Resources
By Sally Loy
Hidden Stressors at Work
It may not be part of the job description, but workplace stress is a part of every job. A recent survey at CareerBuilder.com indicated that 78 percent of employees feel stressed and burned out at work. There are some obvious factors that add to stress levels, such as increased workloads, intense deadlines or a demanding boss. But there are other stress triggers that may be less obvious. These "hidden" triggers add to an employee's negative experience at work and eventually lead to burnout.Measuring your stress level
Several signs that you may be nearing burnout:
- You frequently work more than 40 hours a week.
- You've seriously considered quitting your job or finding a new job at least once in the last month.
- You've missed at least one major work deadline in the last six months.
- You postpone visits to the doctor because you have neither time nor money to go.
- You feel more stress and less security about finances than you did five years ago.
The "hidden" stress triggers:
Taking work problems home and letting it affect your personal life. You may struggle with defining the boundary between work and home. When work gets more hectic, your professional responsibilities can bleed into your personal life. If that lack of balance spills back over into your work environment, it can also become a vicious circle.
Not having time to take a vacation or working while on your vacation. If you can't completely disconnect from work, you are unable to reap the benefits of rest and relaxation.
Feeling underappreciated. Many workers simply don't feel that they are appreciated for the work that they do. Sure, compensation and benefits are considered recognition for work performed, but a simple "thank you" or personal display of appreciation is often missing, which makes workers feel that their efforts are futile.
Four ways to manage stress triggers
Managing the demands of your workday and home life may seem impossible when you are in the burnout zone, but it's important to restore balance in your professional and personal life.
Set strict boundaries between work and the rest of your life.
Focus on whatever you are doing in the moment. When you put your full attention on whatever you are doing and are physically, mentally and emotionally present, you will find that you can give, and gain, the most from the task or relationship.
Take time for rest and recovery. It's great to be able to meet or exceed goals at work, but it's important to remember that in the long term, taking care of yourself is an investment that pays off professionally as well as personally. Give yourself permission to spend time doing whatever helps you renew your energy, even if it's doing nothing at all.
Be clear about your priorities. When you feel overworked, the reality is that you have lost track of your priorities. You must get clear about what's important to you. One of the best ways to do so is to create a life blueprint of your goals, roles, values and key relationships. When you design a blueprint and live it to the best of your ability, you'll feel less stress and more fulfillment -- not just on the job, but your life as a whole.
Parts taken from CareerBuilder.com.
