“Severe migraine attacks during Sunday evenings…”
“Six million people per year take sick leave from work…”
“Maximum number of heart attacks during office hours…”

These are some of the headlines published these days in the Health column of daily newspapers. Research studies have proven that the only reason behind these unhealthy situations is the Workplace Stress. According to a survey, ‘63% employees say that the job pressures interfere with their personal life and 60% say that the job is negatively affecting their physical and emotional well-being.’

We all know what Workplace Stress is, right? Struggle to beat the clock, deadlines to meet, targets to catch up on…etc., etc…

However, it is not true that workplace stress is always negative. It can yield positive results also. In fact, people perform better when they are under ‘stress’. While stress and pressure are productive for a short time, their long time influence can affect a person’s mental, emotional and physical perspectives. Negative stress turns out when the job is mismatched with what was really wanted, little on-the-job flexibility and no time to relax and recover.

Over the past few decades, stress in the workplace has been greater than before. Occupational Stress can be one of the most devastating types of stress. Employees are not acknowledged properly by their Managers. Attitudinal problems among superiors cause lack of communication due to which subordinates feel isolated, unsupported and stressed.

Perhaps, this so called epidemic can be cured by taking immediate actions to control the causes of stress. Employees themselves can deal effectively with stress on the job. Proper time management and planning can help create a routine and get organized. Respect and appreciation at work, mix of a little fun and smile with work also might help to ease the stress of workdays. Sometimes small words of acknowledgment like ‘Thanks’ can create big wonders.