As we celebrate Thanksgiving and ways to show gratitude to our teams at work, November also recognizes International Stress Awareness Week to raise awareness about stress prevention.Â
According to the American Institute of Stress, numerous studies show that job stress is far and away the major source of stress for American adults and that it has escalated progressively over the past few decades. A recent Gallup Poll found workers’ daily stress reached a record high, increasing from 38% in 2019 to 43% in 2020.
Everything from low salaries to excessive workloads and unclear performance expectations are cause for stress. Over time, chronic work stress can lead to a psychological syndrome known as burnout. Warning signs of burnout are overwhelming exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of inefficacy. Certain work-related stressors are closely linked with burnout.Â
Try these strategies to manage the stress by tracking your stressors, establishing boundaries, and taking time to recharge.
And for managers and leaders, there are many ways to support your team to lower stressful situations. This includes offering stress management webinars and encouraging employees to take advantage of them; offering wellness tips or programs, and yoga or meditation classes; and making sure workers are taking regular breaks, and be sure to take them yourself.
