STRESS: An Equal Opportunity Destroyer

Stress has been called an equal opportunity destroyer.  No one is immune from its effects, especially during the current economic downturn.  Acute stress is painful, but brief, and many employees are able to find ways to relieve it.  However, chronic stress takes a terrible toll on workplace productivity when it goes on for days, weeks, months, or even years.

A wise employer or supervisor will monitor employees and notice if they are in danger of experiencing burnout.  Is their job satisfaction and performance declining? Does work seem harder to manage?

A symptom checklist can help employees identify if they are experiencing burnout and are at risk for illness or even more severe consequences.  Employees may be burning out if they: 

1. Often forget things. (What 10 o’clock appointment?)
2. Feel unusual fatigue. (Can’t I go home yet?)
3. Suffer from insomnia. (Watching old movies at 3 a .m.)
4. 4. Experience changes in appetite. (Either ravenous… or nothing looks good. This can be associated with weight changes as well.)
5. Experience changes in behavior and mood. (Leave me along or I’ll hurt you!)
6. Often feel grumpy and crabby. (Grrrrrrrrrrrr)
7. Get sick a lot. (It really is my third cold this month.)
8. Want to withdraw from others. (Go away!)
9. Feel extreme anxiety and worry. (Now what’s wrong?)

Workers who check four or more of these symptoms are probably in the process of burning out.  Encourage workers to tailor the following simple steps to their own style and personality, and they’ll be on their way to recovering lost energy and regaining a zest for life.

1. Create more balance in your life! Don’t let one aspect of life dominate the others. Do you have a hobby or other activity you enjoy? If not, things are getting out of balance.
2. Create support systems. Work is tough enough these days, let alone trying to go it alone. Find people you can talk to, at work or at home. Everyone needs to be able to discuss work problems. Another possibility is to become a mentor or resource for someone else, even in your own workplace. Realizing how much you have to offer to others can be a great antidote to frustration and burnout.
3. Gain control over what you an, and let go of what you can’t. Find a better whay to get the job done rather than just doing more of the same. Investigate ways to adjust your schedule – for instance, flex-time or job-sharing. The point is, you can’t complain about how stressed out you are if you never do anything about it.  Take at least some action.

Summary
Employees and managers alike need to remember that life is too short to waste it feeling frazzled all the time.  Every person needs to take time to manage their stress so they an enjoy life.

Nancy O’Reilly, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and founder of the Women Speak Project, an online resource based on research about aging in a youth-driven society. For more information, visit www.womenspeak.com.

Remember, Mercy EAP Services is here for you! Call 319-398-6694 or 800-383-6694 for free, confidential counseling.