Stress in the workplace

Physical and mental stress has often been ignored, and the symptoms remain un-dealt with, sometimes creating havoc in our lives. Physical discomfort, ranging from a painful and stiff neck or a sore back, can be the cause of many days off from work, affecting both efficiency and attendance at work. It is difficult to be focused and efficient when you are in pain. Mental stress can cause lack of focus and an inability to concentrate. The effects of mood swings and anxiety can wreak havoc impacting on your working and personal life.

In association with the Healthy Workplace Campaign by Workplace solutions providers Kinnarps of Sweden, and with the help of the support team at the Osteopathic Health Centre in Dubai, we aim to provide you, the employee, with the some basic information to making your workplace a healthy one through stress management, good nutrition and correct ergonomics for the workplace.

In the first of our four part series, we will look at the basic issues surrounding stress in its physical, emotional and psychological forms, and how it can be overcome to make your working day and personal life a more enjoyable one.

Stress in the work place

Many problems in the musculo-skeletal system arise from the high levels of stress that we encounter on a daily basis. It can manifest as tight, tense and aching muscles or in extreme cases as muscle spasm. If stress is not dealt with effectively and regularly, it can give rise to any of the following symptoms.

Physical Manifestations of stress:
• Muscular tension in the neck and shoulders
• Lower back pain
• Exhaustion
• High blood pressure
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Palpitations
• Stomach ulcers

Emotional and psychological symptoms of Stress are:
• Irritability
• Moodiness
• Emotional turmoil
• Anxiety
• Worry
• Confusion
• Lack of focus

Managing the various forms of stress can be achieved in many different ways. A simple search on the internet can provide the necessary information from numerous organizations and foundations that will aid in allowing you to combat stress and overcome your daily burdens.



Who would benefit from Stress Management?

If you experience any of the symptoms, and find that you are unable to function efficiently in your workplace, the following simple techniques will help you. These techniques will take some practice at first, but the benefits will be felt almost immediately. As you practice the techniques, the effects increase, and as the practice continues, the state of stress free and calm focus becomes normal. You will find that when you function in a relaxed and focused way, you have abundant energy, are intensely focused and creative in all that you do.

If it is so easy to learn this technique, then why are there so many stressed people around?

It is true that the technique is very simple. Unfortunately people do not discipline themselves to do what is good for them. The old stress patterns are so well established in most cases that most people revert naturally to them. Ironically if someone were to package these very simple techniques as extremely complex miracle cures, they would make a fortune. The human mind today seems to be drawn to what is complex, and trusting of what is expensive, and well packaged and marketed.

Simplicity is looked upon with some degree of mistrust. Yet all stress management techniques are all based on the same simple principles. All that is required is the discipline to follow the instructions, and to be regular with your practice.

What are the relaxation techniques?

There are many techniques to release stress from the body and mind. Specific attention should first be focused on the physical release of tension and stress in the muscles of the body. This is achieved by a combination of awareness exercises, muscle contraction and release exercises, stretching and deep breathing instruction. With most people who are experiencing stress, the breathing pattern tends to be shallow and rapid as opposed to deep and slow. Simple yet specific instructions can encourage you to breath differently, and in doing so notice the slowing down of your heart rate.

What are the stages of the relaxation technique?

Stage 1
Simple stretching exercises will help to release the physical manifestations of stress in the musculo-skeletal system. This stage is followed by muscle contraction followed by release of the muscles of the entire body, from your toes to your head and neck. These techniques are easily learned, so that you can integrate them into your daily life. This is the first stage of relaxation.

Stage 2
Correct breathing is introduced at the stage when the muscles of the body are more relaxed following Stage 1. Imagery is given to help deep diaphragmatic breathing that is only efficient when the musculature is relaxed.

Stage 3
The next stage of relaxation would involve releasing tension creating thoughts from the mind, and learning how to "switch off". This stage is the most demanding stage of the technique. Perfecting this stage will have the effect of relaxing your mind, and leaving you feeling calm and peaceful within yourself. You will notice the additional benefit of improved concentration and increased focus and clarity of mind.

We will be looking further at relaxation on our third article.
Physical, emotional and psychological stress can take on many different guises; the problem we all face is first in recognizing them, and then learning how to deal with them. Too often medication is prescribed for the management of the symptoms of stress. We would like to suggest that you try the natural way of dealing with stress before trying medication.

Other sources

Managing the various forms of stress can be achieved in many different ways. A simple search on the internet can provide the necessary information from numerous organizations and foundations that will aid in allowing you to combat stress and overcome your daily burdens.

The internet links listed are just a few starting points that can provide you with various techniques, tips and assessment tools established to help you reduce and eradicate your stress levels.

www.isma.org.uk
www.jobstresshelp.com
www.stressbusting.co.uk
www.stress.org
www.talkaboutstress.com
www.thestressoflife.com
www.mindtools.com