Today's world is moving faster than ever! Every single minute of our lives is busy and engaged in all sorts of activities. We live, we eat, we work, we sleep, we talk and we read and so on. Every individual's life is revolving around some circles. Those circles may be family, relationships, job, career, education and financial concerns. These circles are tied up so closely that sometimes it gets hard to even breathe! In such situations the word "stress" comes.
What is stress? One definition is: "Stress is theemotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. "Stress is something that needs to be dealt seriously. It has physical & mental symptoms. Effects vary from person to person. Mental symptoms include tension, exhaustion, irritation, mood-swings, out of focus, less or no sleep. Physical symptoms can be stomach problems, dry mouth/throat, breathing difficulties, stretched muscles and so on.
Each of our lives has some amount of stress that keeps us excited and focused but when this little amount exceeds, then it may harm our health and surroundings. At workplace, we often find ourselves in stressful situations. We are given very strict deadlines; in such case either the employee is energized or motivated and starts doing work right away! Or employee gets under-pressure which results in burnout.
We have found out about some bad effects and symptoms now we need to know how important is to prevent the stress getting hold of you! At workplace, there are demands, expectations and competition. You join office early, go home late and take work more than you can handle. So start with "saying No to your boss" so that you take work which you can handle.
There are numerous stress management techniques available online. Listing here some of the most effective/easy ones:
Spending time in nature
Getting more peaceful sleep
Engaging in hobby/interesting activities
Exercises/yoga/meditation
Living in the moment
Being active
Avoid burnout/over-work/exhaustion
Time management
In some organizations, in-house counselors are available with whom employees discuss their personal and professional concerns. In case of any pressure or problems with managers or peers, employees can write to them on confidential basis. After some standard processes and inquiries, appropriate actions are taken by top senior management.
M Junaid Tahir
