Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on Sunday night and that the rate of heart attacks and heart attack-like symptoms are very high in the early hours of Mondays.. What does this tell us? Perhaps that people are dreading going to their job on Monday? Maybe. But there are other reasons for this as well. Two decades ago we saw changes happen in the workplace that we didn't anticipate. The trendy term used was downsizing. Less people to do the same amount of work. Executives lost their jobs daily. New types of employment finding agencies sprung up that specialized in higher level management job finding. There was confusion in the workplace and people began to feel uncertain about their jobs. Articles started to appear that indicated we will all have more than one job in our lifetime ? there would be no more job security ? even for those who were University educated.
Stress in the workplace has increased over the past couple of decades. Occupational Stress can be one of the most debilitating types of stress there is. Overworked Managers no longer have the time to acknowledge their employees in positive ways. Disrespect and rudeness are two of the big attitudinal problems in some businesses. There is a loss of connectedness with the workers. People feel isolated and unsupported in their work. Add to this the addition of the part time marginalized worker. Must be on call at the whim of the employer, only allowed to turn down so many shifts, no benefits and frequently lower wages. This means that these people do not know how much money they will have coming in each month ? they try to take on another part time job ? but the same thing holds true. Must be on call, only allowed to turn down so many shifts, etc.. You see the problem. It's an insecure way to live at best. This creates the stress of never being able to plan for anything. An acquaintance tells me she keeps her cell phone at arms reach when she is in the shower.
According to the Tenth Annual Attitudes in the American Workplace Poll done by Harris Interactive, workplace stress is definitely up. Some of their results would support this. 63% say that the job pressures interfere with their family or personal life and 60% say that the job is negatively affecting their physical and emotional well-being. Stress Management is a big problem: 52% say that they think that people in their workplaces need help in managing anger and stress, yet 55% say their company offers no training on how to manage anger or stress. 35% say they feel their co-workers are harder to get along with due to stress.
Granted this poll was done in the United States, but the same results could be obtained here. So, what can we do to help combat the stress in our own office. We can acknowledge one another and leave anonymous notes that are positive in content. "Thank you for being you ? you brighten my day", "You were really helpful ? thanks!" Or we could introduce some silliness and put some fun items on our desk. I have an Eeyore stuffy that talks and he never fails to elicit smiles and laughter. When I've had a frustrating day, Eeyore and I have a talk. Join a laughter club ande release those endorphins, serotonins and boost your immune system at the same time. If a laughter club isn't your thing, rent funny videos for home OR work. Create a joke book, or a humour box. Buy balloons and leave them anonymously on someone's desk. Put up funny or positive motivational quotes.
Many companies use fun as a motivator and mood stabilizer for their employees. Westjet Airlines is known for this and I am told that their employees just love going to work. The company holds parties for their employees and show their appreciation in many ways. Companies who make it fun to go to work get more out of their employees than those who don't.
If we could learn to treat each other with respect and appreciation at work, mix in a little fun, smile and thank each other, it just might help to ease the stress of our workdays. It would be the beginning of something good.
------------------------------------------------
Carole Fawcett lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in B.C. She is a Stress Management consultant and Laughter Therapist. She can be found at http://www.afunnybusiness.ca
Conceptualizing stress: Stress often has a negative connotation. Failure, illnesses,... Read More
In a recent CMA survey of 2251 physicians, over 45%... Read More
Often, in today's fast paced world, we forget to take... Read More
Deceiving? You bet they are. How? Without your even knowing... Read More
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe... Read More
Most people know of the importance of exercise as a... Read More
Life can offer us many challenges having to do with... Read More
Burt Reynolds revealed his vulnerable side when he realized he... Read More
If there was a way of relaxing quickly and easily... Read More
With almost 50% of workers complaining that their jobs are... Read More
Genuine enthusiasm...real feeling of accomplishment...sense of satisfaction and fun. Welcome... Read More
"Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
Worry, big or small blocks positive vibrations from entering your... Read More
Are You Too Stressed?Is your stomach all tied up in... Read More
The Problem You don't need me to tell you how... Read More
Imagine going through your whole life in the constant fear... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More
Defending your point of view can use up a lot... Read More
You probably think I'm wacko, but it's true - stress... Read More
Statistics show that all of us experience stress at one... Read More
It is no secret that stress and related disorders are... Read More
If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances... Read More
The best way to reduce your stress is to really... Read More
If you have never tried combining your breathing exercises with... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
My first real job (schedule, time clock, paycheck, boss) was... Read More
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More
Did you ever feel like your "get-up-and-go" got up and... Read More
If you're like most people, you have your bouts of... Read More
Self-Care Strategies:Substantial breakfast daily Regular sleeping habits (minimum of 7... Read More
Let's take a look at some of the more serious... Read More
We've all experienced it-computerized technology that doesn't function properly. PCs... Read More
CHICAGO - According to a recent article in the September... Read More
"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover,... Read More
Success in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More
Whether we are at work, traveling, or at home, we've... Read More
To be a safe and predictable person for those around... Read More
Stress. The word brings to mind many different definitions doesn't... Read More
The World Health Organization calls stress "the health epidemic of... Read More
The United Nations declares workplace stress to be a worldwide... Read More
"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More
The right amount of stress can be good for you,... Read More
No this is not related to praying, this is how... Read More
One of my favorite stories about change is the story... Read More
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces... Read More
At what age does the benefit of play cease? Child... Read More
Q. I have just recently come to recognize that I... Read More
Many people recognise the warning signs that stress may be... Read More
Stress and anxiety can prematurely age our mind and body.... Read More
Among the hardest parts of living in the modern world... Read More
Do you feel that you just don't have the time... Read More
Do you ever fret? In today's materialistic age, sometimes fretting... Read More
1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More
Looking for some quick stress relief?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More
Tough leaders are usually seen as ogres. Their exacting demands... Read More
Here's an amazing quote from Time magazine:"At birth a baby's... Read More
Most people find it easy to identify the sources of... Read More
1. The Law of StagnationThis is also known as first... Read More
Most of us lead busy lives, trying to successfully juggle... Read More
Elizabeth, 32, cried during anger management class as she told... Read More
Life is funny.Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous... Read More
Q: "My career, though very very stressful, is one that... Read More
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
I once worked with a woman whose zest,joy and enthusiasm... Read More
Stress Management |