Workplace Anxiety

The following article that I found discusses stress and anxiety caused by mostly work related issues. This article is highly reflective of chapter 7 in our textbook, titled "Managing Stress and Emotions."

There are constant changes in a work environment. Some of these changes could include demands, deadlines, and both interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict. Each one of these changes causes stress, and it is up to our bodies to mentally, physically, or emotionally react to these changes. As the article points out, working long hours, dealing with role and information overload, and worrying about job security can all be stressors in the workplace.

Relating the topic of stress to Selye's GAS model, the initial stage, called the alarm phase, has the highest tolerance for stress. An example of something that may take place in this type of situation would be completing a task that has just arose at work. You may initially be stressed when that task is brought to you, but once it is completed you are able to return back to your resting state. The resistance phase could be related to an extremely busy week or two at work. Your body is drawing from the fats and sugars it has stored, but this is only a temporary fix. The resistance phase leads into the exhaustion phase of Selye's GAS model. Let's say that the stressful situation at work continues for a prolonged period of time at work, resulting in your body going to the exhaustion phase. Everyone at some time or another has been completely depleted off all energy due to the stress that is put upon us.

On top of getting both professional mental and physical help, the article points out to be almost Zen-like when dealing with a chaotic work environment. Many of the stressors that arise everyday at work are not going to go away, but the way that an individual deals with them is what really needs to change. I know one thing that works very well for me is time management. I prioritize my work and keep a schedule in order to stay organized. Organizations should also make the expectations clear to their employees in oder to decrease a loss of productive work hours due to ambiguity.

Most importantly, workers need to stay positive through all of the negative emotions that come along with being stressed out. This will drastically help decrease the burnout that comes along with being stressed out at work.

What other ways do you think individuals can deal with the stress at work? Do you believe there are right and wrong ways to deal with the stress you encounter? How about any of your personal experiences?

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/work-overload-brings-panic-anxiety-stress/story?id=9868689&page=4

- Kelly Moran