Chronic stress is something that many working people face in their workplaces, these are the consequences and impact it can have on human physical and mental health.
Living with chronic stress has an impact on people's daily lives.This means to be in a permanent state of alert. It is important to know if this situation exists in our organization, since can have negative effects on the health of the work team and on the work environment..
What is it and what is the impact of chronic stress in the work environment?
The The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stress as "a state of preoccupation or mental tension generated by a difficult situation.".
It is important to clarify that it is normal for everyone to experience some degree of stress.for it is a natural response that our body and mind have to everyday stimuli. However, there are times when stress can overtake and overwhelm us. KNOWS WHAT EMOTIONAL FIRST AID IS AND WHAT ITS FUNCTION IS.
In the labor context, stress becomes chronic when a person does not come out of the state of alertness caused by a situation in the office. For example, always be with pressure to get something doneor, economic instability in the organization may raise concerns.
Chronic stress causes physical and mental exhaustionthis will make the work team does not perform at the same level to achieve objectives expected to be reached.
Dr. Fany Lucero González Carmona, Ph. is a psychologist who gave an exclusive session for ComproDiverso member companies. In the conversation, the specialist commented that in extreme cases, stress can lead to suicidal ideation.:
"Chronic stress is represented by symptoms in our physical state, in our state of mind and, of course, in our work performance. What is the most serious thing that can be derived from this stress issue? Well, it can lead to suicidal ideation".
Signs that someone is possibly living with chronic stress.
When landing on the topic of chronic stress in the work environment, Dr. Gonzalez explains that there are some signs that indicate that a person is in this state of alertnessfor example:
- feel constant burden while working;
- frequently has the urge to cry and for no reason;
- several times wrong in work processes which he had already mastered;
- eats most of the time or 'botanea' while working;
- has fatigueeven if you slept well;
- your body presents symptoms of gastritis, colitis and bruxismwhich disappear when the person goes on vacation;
- feels insecurity and instability with respect to his or her job.
Likewise, it is common for a person living with chronic stress to say that always has a job and does not have time to do anything else outside of work..
It may be a good idea constantly carry out some polls or surveys among the working group for to know a little more about stress levels with which they live in their day-to-day lives. In this way, the company will be able to take action to improving the work environment.
Recommendations to control and reduce stress
There are some WHO recommendations on stress management. These tips are:
- follow a daily routine that makes us feel in control of our lives (it is important to learn to be flexible with it so that we do not generate stress by simply following it);
- have a good night's sleepThis requires being constant in the good sleeping habitssuch as avoiding caffeine and reducing the use of screens before going to bed;
- talk to people you trust about the things that concern us;
- wear a healthy diet and eating preferably at the same times of the day;
- exercise on a regular basis.
While they are not magic, these tipscan be very helpful for a person to counteract the symptoms of chronic stress.
Did you know the impacts that chronic stress can have on a person and how it is possible to control it?
Research and editing by José Manuel Ríos and Mildred Pérez de la Torre
With information from WHO