Wellbeing in the Workplace
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In modern Western society, stress is often accepted as part of regular every day life. Stress does have a place in our lives - the physiological stress responses that occur in our body that are designed for protecting us in the wild. When we are in fight or flight mode, our digestion stops, blood moves out to our limbs ready for action, and adrenalin is pumped through the body. However, most of us experience stress responses when we are sitting at our desk or in traffic, with not a lion or other wild beast in sight!
The result is that many of our bodies are constantly reacting as if they we in mortal danger, placing constant strain on the immune system, heart (high blood pressure anyone?!), digestive system, blood sugar levels and so on. A plethora of stress-associated physical and mental dis-eases now prevail in our modern society.
In 2007 over half a million individuals in Britain believed they were experiencing work-related stress at a level that was making them ill, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). An estimated 60,000 people reported work-related heart disease. In January 2008 Gallup's annual Lifestyle Poll showed 76% of Americans deal with stress (in their everyday life) frequently or sometimes. It seems to be a modern phenomenon that New Zealanders experience also.
When we are in a stressed state, we often can't think straight, have a foggy head and/or a feeling of overwhelm. We may get irritable or angry. Symptoms can further progress to headaches and migraines - hardly the essentials for creativity, problem solving, good communication and feeling energised!
In his new book, Toughen Up, Michael Hill (jeweller) says "working too many hours, eating junky food late at night at your workstation, going weeks without exercise because you simply haven't the time - these are all symptoms of something going seriously wrong in your life."
If we work in ways that support our wellbeing, we ultimately work better; it's as simple as that. For peak performance, any system, machine or person must be in good condition, functioning well and operating sustainably. Ask any top athlete and they will agree. Besides, once we can influence what's happening inside of us, we can more effectively influence what's happening outside.
Getting in charge of stress: Awareness and Choice
The ability to make changes in our life begins with awareness of the problem. Until someone points out to us that we have food on our face, we don't know it's time to get out a napkin. Being aware of what we want to change is the first step to doing something about it.
The next step is creating choices. How do we want to be feeling and behaving instead? What can we do to get that? This is usually the million-dollar question my clients ask: "How can I change this?!"
As well as offering practical tools, I help my clients change patterns of stress - such as poor sleep and anxiety - through coaching, and group workshops.
What can you do now?
- Get to know your triggers. What prompts you to start feeling stressed? Is it particular areas of your life such as your job, relationships or health? Start tuning in and developing awareness of your patterns.
- Get in to the habit of interrupting your 'stress' responses. What would happen if you took three slow deep breaths? What effect would you get from visualising a scene of relaxation and tranquillity while sitting in traffic or the office, or remembering a piece of music you love?
- Make changes where you can. If there is an issue at work or home making you uptight, unhappy or constantly strained, what do you want to do about it? Ask yourself, what's one thing I can do that would change my response, even just a tiny bit?
- Leave work at work. Make a to-do list before you leave the office, ready for the next day. Go into your evening ready for rest, relaxation and play. Plan activities and spend time with people you enjoy being with.
- As often as possible, ensure your weekends are primarily dedicated to your personal life, whether it be time with family, exercise, trips, DIY, outdoor activities, or lying in bed with the paper and good cup of tea. Refresh your body and mind. It is your reward after a week of work, and it is preparing you for a productive one ahead.
- If you feel that you may not be managing your stress effectively, and that it's impacting your wellbeing - and perhaps that of those around you - you have choices to do something about it. If your stress feels out of control or you're not sure how to go about changing it, get in touch, I'd be pleased to discuss it with you.
