Stressed Out? It May Be Your Job

"I'm stressed out."

If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a regular basis, you might have a real problem on your hands. Job and career related stress has been on the rise in recent years, as occupations become more complex, and workers are taking on more and more responsibility. In fact, workplace stress is now considered an occupational illness. Many employees undergo stress as a normal part of their jobs, but some experience it more severely than others, to the point that they need time away from work.

According to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, extreme occupational stress is classified as a "neurotic reaction to stress." The survey found that thousands of such cases are reported every year. The median absence from work for these cases was 23 days, more than four times the level of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses. And more than two-fifths of the cases resulted in 31 or more lost workdays, compared to one-fifth for all injury and illness cases.

Not surprisingly, the level of workplace stress seems to be tied directly to the worker's occupation. In fact, just four industries accounted for the bulk of occupational stress cases: Services (35 percent), manufacturing (21 percent), retail trade (14 percent), and finance, insurance, and real estate (12 percent).

In general, white-collar occupations had a higher proportion of stress cases than both blue-collar and service occupations combined. Managerial and professional occupations, with 16 percent of the cases, and technical, sales, and administrative support occupations with 48 percent, the highest proportions of occupational stress cases.

If you're stressed out, you need to look at ways to reduce that stress before it has a negative effect on your health. High levels of stress, over time, can lead to sleeping disorders, high blood pressure, and other physical problems. If you think your work environment is too stressful, bring the subject up with your boss or supervisor. See if there isn't some way of reducing your workload, or taking away a few responsibilities so that you don't feel overwhelmed on the job. If you feel yourself getting stressed out at work, try relaxing and breathing slowly and deeply for a few minutes and see if this doesn't calm you down.

Away from work, exercise is a great stress reducer. For many people, a brisk walk in the evening is enough to unwind them after a tough day on the job. I've found that yoga works wonders for me after a tense work day. After a half an hour doing yoga poses and breathing exercises, I feel refreshed, and I sleep much better at night. Other people relax by playing sports, or socializing with friends, or playing with their kids.

No matter how you relieve stress, just do it. You'll feel a lot better, both physically and mentally. And if you can't find a way to manage your stress levels at work, you might need to think about finding another job.

Kent Johnson - author, publisher, career coach. "Helping people realize their dreams one career at a time." Your Dream Career.com - your source for career tips and info ==> http://your-dream-career.com

---

Empathy - Anxiety & Panic

If you are an anxiety and panic sufferer, then you've... Read More

Dont Be a Worry Wort!

Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More

Reduce Stress and Enjoy More Sleep

If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances... Read More

Stress Management and Creating Balance

The World Health Organization calls stress "the health epidemic of... Read More

Bite-Size Chunks! The Power Of Daily Actions

There may be so much you want to change in... Read More

Conflict Resolution ... What The Heck Are You Thinking?

Do you get frustrated with your spouse, your kids, your... Read More

The Three Rs of Handling Your Emotions

My son was watching a Richard Scarry video this morning... Read More

Top 10 Tips on Managing Conflict, Emotional Tension, and Anger

To be a safe and predictable person for those around... Read More

Stress Symptoms

Stress relief and managementRecognizing stress symptoms can be a positive... Read More

Is Your Workplace Suffering from Contagious Stress?

We wonder how many of you might recognise this scenario?... Read More

Recognize the Early Signs of Burnout

Most of us are trying to balance work, home, and... Read More

Stress Free COBRA

If you have recently lost health insurance coverage through your... Read More

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

"Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make... Read More

Hypnosis CDs - Relief from Stress

The number one most popular issue that users of a... Read More

Stress Managment and Mastery: How to Beat Too Many Hats Syndrome

"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover,... Read More

Chewing On Mindfulness: Gum Is Your Secret

My grandmother, a feisty and athletic woman in her younger... Read More

7 Unique Stress Relievers

Too much driving, too much shopping, too much rushing around,... Read More

Stress Causing People to ?Super Size?

... Read More

Worry: Do We Have A Choice?

As Montaigne said, "he who fears he will suffer, already... Read More

4 Steps to Teaching Your Family to Treat You Better

Case #1- Elizabeth, a 40 year old homemaker was always... Read More

Stress Reduction and Sacred Moments

"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More

Those Deceiving Emotions

Deceiving? You bet they are. How? Without your even knowing... Read More

Conquer Stress and Anxiety Naturally With This Safe and Effective Method

Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the... Read More

Through Stress Comes Kindness

In these times when companies are constantly down-sizing and right-sizing... Read More

The Top Seven Causes Of Workplace Stress And Fifteen Ways To Get Rid Of Them

Anyone who has ever worked knows that stress is part... Read More

The Best Medicine For Stress ( A Daily Dose Of Gratitude)

There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty... Read More

Occupational Stress

Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More

What The Most Dangerous Job In The World Taught Me About Coping With Stress

I just got through reading some troubling news in the... Read More

Managing Stress From Another World

Modern stress is habitual, and is something that the vast... Read More

The Jerk is Never Me

Comedian George Carlin once remarked, "Have your ever noticed? Anyone... Read More

9 Warning Signs of Stress

Stress is the nastiest 4 letter word you ever met.... Read More

5 Easy Ways to Pamper Yourself

Life is so busy and as mothers we spend so... Read More

Stress Management: 9 Universal Laws for Problem Solving

1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More