A canvass done by clinical psychologist Chad Lambert has revealed that employees find low job control, high work demands and poor work-life balance as some of the most stressful aspects of the work world.

However, the therapist says there are ways to effectively manage such stressors.

April is recognised as National Stress Awareness Month and as such the Jamaica Observer will look at a series of topics surrounding stress. Today’s topic is: ‘Workplace stressors: Common causes and warnings signs’.

Stress is the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.

These hormones, whether caused by environmental stress like an impending work deadline or psychological stress such as persistent worry about job loss, lead to a series of coordinated physiological changes. This includes accelerated heart rate, rapid breathing, tense muscles, and sweating. These reactions, collectively termed the “fight-or-flight” response, evolved as a survival mechanism.

But stress is not always negative. Lambert, who has a private practice and is also employed at Carib Tots 2 Teens Wellness Centre in Kingston, describes some good forms of stress.

“Good stress is something that is short-term and once the task is completed you feel proud. Good stress is perceived as a challenge, something that you think you can grow from. For example, you’re being tasked with planning an event or completing a report. You find that it is challenging, but it motivates you to perform,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Bad stress, on the other hand, is something that employees will perceive as not beneficial to them.

“It may conflict with our values or what you would prefer to be doing. Maybe you just don’t have the resources to complete a particular task; for example, if our manager gives you something to do but you weren’t trained in that area or it doesn’t fit your job description,” Lambert said.

“Bad stress is usually long-term stress, it doesn’t go away so easily, and when we are in the heightened state for a period of time that is when you start to feel the effect on the body,” he continued.

In today’s hectic world, the workplace often seems like an emotional roller coaster. Long hours, tight deadlines, and ever-increasing demands can leave you feeling worried, drained, and overwhelmed. And when stress exceeds your ability to cope, it stops being helpful and starts causing damage to your mind and body — as well as to your job satisfaction.

According to global research, some of the most common causes of workplace stress include:

– Lack of control over how you do your work – Pressure to perform to meet rising expectations– Fear of being laid off– Poor work-life balance– Being overworked– Pressure to consistently work at an optimum level– Lack of support

“Being underpaid can also cause stress, but it’s not classified as one of the main causes of work stress. If people feel like they have control, they feel like they are being supported, promoted, and have a good work-life balance, then the likelihood of them leaving the job will be low because most of what is needed to make them comfortable at work is checked off,” Lambert said.

“But if you don’t believe your organisation gives you the opportunity for growth like training and people who don’t feel like they have that work-life balance tend to feel more affected by stress than persons who have that balance. For example, if you have a friend group that you can hang with, a close-knit family or your interests, just other things to look forward to, it helps to deal with the stressors at work,” he continued.

He added that not checking some comfort boxes will make employees more susceptible to chronic stress. Some warning signs to look for when moving into chronic stress include feeling overwhelmed at work, or may you lose confidence and become angry, irritable, or withdrawn.

Other signs and symptoms of excessive stress at work include:

– Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed– Apathy, loss of interest in work– Problems sleeping– Fatigue– Trouble concentrating– Muscle tension or headaches– Stomach problems– Social withdrawal– Loss of sex drive– Using alcohol or drugs to cope

If you are expressing any or all of these symptoms, then we encourage you to read our next article on stress which explores the topic: ‘Coping with a stressful work environment’.