According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stress and your health are directly related.
Stress can set off an alarm in the brain, which in turn, responds by preparing the body for a defensive action. The nervous system is then triggered and hormones are released to sharpen the senses, quicken the pulse, deepen respiration, and tense the muscles. This response sometimes referred to as the “fight or flight response,” is important because it is our mind’s way of preparing our bodies to help defend us from threatening situations. This is a biologically preprogrammed response.
Short-lived or infrequent episodes of stress pose little risk but when stressful situations go unresolved and for prolonged periods of time, the body is kept in a constant state of action, which only increases the rate of wear and tear to our biological systems. Ultimately, fatigue or damage results and the ability of the body to repair and defend itself can become seriously compromised. As a result, the risk of injury or illness can increase.
Over the course of the past 20 years, numerous studies have looked at the relationship between job-related stress and a variety of ailments; mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach and headache, and deteriorating relationships with family and friends are all examples of stress-related problems that are quick to develop and are commonly seen in these studies. These early signs of job stress are usually easy to recognize.
But the effects of job stress on chronic diseases tend to be more difficult to diagnose due to the fact that chronic diseases can take a longer time to develop and can be influenced by many factors other than stress. Nonetheless, the evidence is rapidly accumulating to suggest that stress plays an important role in several types of chronic health problems, especially cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological disorders.
Early Warning Signs of Job Stress
- Headache
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Short temper
- Upset stomach
- Job dissatisfaction
- Low morale
Stress, Health, and Productivity
Some employers assume that stressful working conditions are a necessary evil and that companies must “turn up the pressure” on their employees and set aside health concerns in order to remain productive and profitable in today’s economy.
But research findings challenge this belief. Studies show that stressful working conditions are closely associated with increased absenteeism, tardiness, and intentions by workers to quit their jobs—all of which has a negative effect on a company’s bottom line.
Recent studies of so-called healthy organizations suggest that policies benefiting worker health can also benefit the bottom line. A healthy organization is defined as one that has low rates of illness, injury, and disability in its workforce and is also competitive in the marketplace. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health research has identified organizational characteristics associated with both healthy, low-stress work and high levels of productivity. Examples of these characteristics include the following:
- Recognition of employees for good work performance
- Opportunities for career development
- An organizational culture that values the individual worker
- Management actions that are consistent with organizational values
