Work-related stress has grown to become a serious problem over the last few years.

Additionally, this issue has been made worse over the last year thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. While it has taken away some of the causes of work stress, it has also aggravated others.

Below, we discuss work-related stress and its causes, and offer tips to help you manage it:

Work-Related Stress – Why It’s A Big Deal

In small, controlled amounts, stress serves as a great motivator. It’s been proven to increase productivity and improve performance at work.

However, when your stress levels get out of hand and become too difficult to manage, that’s when they can be dangerous.

The biggest damage caused by uncontrolled work-related stress is that it makes you more vulnerable to harmful physical and mental conditions.

Work-Related Stress – How it Hurts You

Sometimes work stress is caused by poor work-life balance, and vice versa.

During periods of high stress, you’re likely to spend more time at work, or worrying about work. Inevitably, this will take away the time you’ve set aside for your hobbies, leisure activities, and self-care.

Ultimately, you’re likely to become physically ill, experience anxiety, face panic attacks, or even fall into depression.

Work Stress in the COVID-19 Pandemic

There’s no denying that along with the deaths and the loss of livelihoods, working from home has been one of the biggest challenges the pandemic has thrown our way.

Here are some causes of work stress that the pandemic has taken away:

• Interpersonal conflicts at work
• Poor organizational culture
• Difficult work relationships
• Unhealthy physical work environment

On the other hand, these are the causes that the pandemic has made worse:

• Tight deadlines
• Bad work-life balance
• Lack of equipment
• Lack of adequate resources
• Personal responsibilities
• Isolation
• Lack of camaraderie with colleagues

Combating Work-Related Stress – 6 Tips

At the Office

1. Handle interpersonal conflict or difficult relationships by speaking to the colleague privately. If this doesn’t work, talk to your supervisor. If the issue persists, consider contacting human resources.
2. Don’t engage in unprofessional behavior, or activities such as gossiping. Remember that you’re there to work, and enforce professional boundaries.
3. If you’re struggling with your workload, consider speaking to your supervisor and clarifying your job description and responsibilities.

Working from Home

• Set up a dedicated space in your home for work, and don’t spend any time in that space outside of official work hours. Invest in proper equipment and resources.
• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be difficult when you’re working from home, which is why you may need to put in extra effort. Don’t be afraid to do so.
• Alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation by getting your colleagues together for virtual hangouts (or meet safely in person, if it’s allowed by your local laws and rules).

At Blossom Hypnosis, the leading certified hypnotist Rekha Shrivastava helps you manage your work-related stress through hypnosis in Rochester, NY.

Whether it’s for treating anxiety in Pittsford, NY or hypnosis for stress anywhere in the world, her services include in-person sessions, as well as online sessions through Skype and other platforms.

Set up your first Rochester, NY hypnosis treatment or a free consultation by contacting us today.

Not ready to schedule an appointment? Learn how self-hypnosis can start your recovery from PTSD and depression.