Work-related stress and how to cope with it
Half a million people in Great Britain believe that work-related stress is making them ill. As a small business owner you're prone to a certain amount of stress. Here we give you tips on how to recognise when things are pushing you too far, and ways of learning to manage the situation so that neither you nor your business suffers.
But what is stress?
The word stress is often used to describe the very fast pace of life that many people lead, or the way we feel when pressure becomes intense. It’s important to remember that ‘stress’ is very individual and that different people find different things stressful, and that they can experience different signs and symptoms as a result of feeling stressed.
Stress in the workplace
Stress generally occurs when people frequently feel unable to cope with the demands being placed on them. Their own personal well-being can also affect the level of stress they feel. For example, a work load that under normal circumstances they can cope with very well can sometimes become a problem if they are perhaps feeling unwell, or are under emotional pressure at home. For some people a certain amount of pressure acts as motivation but for others it can cause worry and ill health.
Recognising stress
Typical reactions to stress could be depression, tiredness, irritability or illness. Signs and symptoms of stress at work may include:
- lack of concentration
- poor performance
- tiredness
- trying to avoid work
- increased absence due to sickness
Managing stress
If you are able to identify the sources of stress it will help you remedy the situation. For example if you are having trouble managing your work load consider going on a time management course or outsourcing some of your daily activities to either another staff member or to an external organisation.
Physical well being can often help you manage pressure more effectively, so to cope with stress you may need to make some changes to your lifestyle…..
- take more (some?) exercise
- eat well (you know the rules)
- don’t skip meals
- drink plenty of water
- cut down on alcohol
- quit smoking NOW
- take time away from your business to relax completely: listen to music, read, watch TV, have a night-out with friends
- try a new skill, hobby or activity
- go for a walk at lunchtime
More information and support on stress management
International Stress Management Association
Stress UK
The Well @ Work programme from the British Heart Foundation
Workplace stress prevention and help from the Health and Safety Executive
Work-related stress and how to cope with it
Half a million people in Great Britain believe that work-related stress is making them ill. As a small business owner you're prone to a certain amount of stress. Here we give you tips on how to recognise when things are pushing you too far, and ways of learning to manage the situation so that neither you nor your business suffers.
But what is stress?
The word stress is often used to describe the very fast pace of life that many people lead, or the way we feel when pressure becomes intense. It’s important to remember that ‘stress’ is very individual and that different people find different things stressful, and that they can experience different signs and symptoms as a result of feeling stressed.
Stress in the workplace
Stress generally occurs when people frequently feel unable to cope with the demands being placed on them. Their own personal well-being can also affect the level of stress they feel. For example, a work load that under normal circumstances they can cope with very well can sometimes become a problem if they are perhaps feeling unwell, or are under emotional pressure at home. For some people a certain amount of pressure acts as motivation but for others it can cause worry and ill health.
Recognising stress
Typical reactions to stress could be depression, tiredness, irritability or illness. Signs and symptoms of stress at work may include:
- lack of concentration
- poor performance
- tiredness
- trying to avoid work
- increased absence due to sickness
Managing stress
If you are able to identify the sources of stress it will help you remedy the situation. For example if you are having trouble managing your work load consider going on a time management course or outsourcing some of your daily activities to either another staff member or to an external organisation.
Physical well being can often help you manage pressure more effectively, so to cope with stress you may need to make some changes to your lifestyle…..
- take more (some?) exercise
- eat well (you know the rules)
- don’t skip meals
- drink plenty of water
- cut down on alcohol
- quit smoking NOW
- take time away from your business to relax completely: listen to music, read, watch TV, have a night-out with friends
- try a new skill, hobby or activity
- go for a walk at lunchtime
More information and support on stress management
International Stress Management Association
Stress UK
The Well @ Work programme from the British Heart Foundation
Workplace stress prevention and help from the Health and Safety Executive