Employee Stress & Performance

Many people say they are stressed by their jobs. There's a reason it's called work: It requires a lot of time and energy. Stress, when properly managed, can be a useful way to efficiently accomplish tasks. Stress can actually boost employee performance and lead to greater productivity.

Causes

• High-stress jobs don't leave much time for relaxation.

  Jobs require hard work and can be extremely demanding. There are deadlines to be met, people to satisfy and, of course, struggles to fulfill personal expectations. It may seem as if work has to come before anything else, taking precedence over time spent with family and friends. In high-stress jobs, little time is left to set aside for rest and relaxation. A Northwestern National Life study discovered one in four people consider their careers as the main cause of stress in their lives. Results from a Gallup Poll show 80 percent of participants feel stressed at work, and 40 percent need advice on how to manage it.

Personal Effects

• Stress has negative effects on the potential to do work effectively.

  Stress, when not managed properly, lowers the performance of employees. When scrambling to meet deadlines with little time to even take a lunch break, employees are not going to be working at their greatest potential. They may become anxious, moody and unpleasant to be around. Stressed employees also may become fatigued, depressed or even apathetic.

Physical Effects

• Stress can affect a person's physical well-being.

  Stress directly affects a person's physical well-being. According to an Integra survey in 2000, half the participants reported spending about 12 hours per day on work-related tasks. Half of those surveyed also said they skipped meals because of the demands of their jobs. Anxiety can cause headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath and panic attacks. For anyone who has experienced these symptoms, they know they are not to be taken lightly. Stress can also affect the immune system, making people more prone to illness. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that job-related stress has more of an impact on employees' health than their personal lives do.

Managing Stress

• Planners are useful ways to stay organized.

  While the task may seem daunting at first, stress can be managed. For instance, the more cluttered the workspace, the more stressful the work environment. A planner will help declutter by keeping track of what needs to get done, the deadline and the priority.

  Physical discomfort can also increase stress. It's acceptable to get up and walk around for a few minutes to get the blood flowing. Or consider purchasing a lumbar pillow. Lumbar pillows improve posture, not to mention make sitting in a chair a more comfortable experience.

  Try avoiding conflict. Gossip, disagreements about religion and politics and crude humor make a more stressful work environment.

Prevention

• Who says work can't be fun?

  It is possible to be proactive in reducing stress in the workplace. Some tips for the prevention of stress include leaving for work early, so there is no anxiety relating to getting to work on time. Eat healthily. Instead of eating at a desk, take a quick break to eat light meals. It's important to drink plenty of water. As tempting as energy drinks or other caffeinated beverages may be, they dehydrate the body, in turn putting more stress on the body. Finally, take quick breaks throughout the day, even if they are just for five minutes. Productivity will increase as a result, which will reduce stress levels.