Before we go deep into workplace stress management, you first need to know the fundamental causes of it. With that, you need to consider the type of workplace you have, the kinds of people you work with, the job you are doing daily, and the pressure you often go through in your environment. All of these are factors that take you away from mental and emotional stability. And that is not good. “Some people are more prone to stress reactions. They’re likely to be people who have difficulty managing on a day-to-day basis. They may not have effective problem-solving skills, or be predisposed to high levels of anxiety and uncertainty,” says Len Tuzman, an expert on stress management. Therefore, you need to listen to what a psychologist has to say. Better determine and manage your workplace stress before it gets worse and become something you wouldn’t wish to have – a severe mental condition.
Two Fundamental Causes Of Workplace Stress
It is essential to understand the two fundamental causes of workplace stress. One is the thought that everything wrong in the place is your fault. That is the idea that when things in your workspace do not support your desire. So when it becomes out of control, you blame yourself instantly. There is a feeling of unworthiness and helplessness. The other one is the assumption of knowing what is better and worse for in your work area. Stress grows more prominent when you tend to ignore those things you need to address and overthink about stuff that doesn’t matter.
What Happens In The Workplace
Perhaps you haven’t noticed that when you work on a job, you tend to take its identity. Meaning, whatever jobs it may be, there is the consistency of trying to prove something. It is where you verify to yourself that you are good at what you are doing. And that you are smart, active, worthy, capable, and okay. It is as if as you are looking for a validation that you are good enough because of your job accomplishments. However, no matter how brilliant you are doing it, there is no assurance that it will entirely stay that way. In most circumstances, all it takes is one unfortunate moment to ruin your disposition in an instant. It could be a late submission of a project, criticism from a co-worker, or an insult from your superior. The negativity will crawl up to your brain, and that is where you start to doubt about yourself. That no matter how inspired and motivated you are, and how excellent you do your previous tasks, you will end up getting stressed out.
What You Don’t See In The Workplace
Usually, the emotional and mental workplace stress happens when there is rejection. The idea that people around is not agreeing with you somehow makes you feel a little off concerning a project. There are cases that even if you think you did well, not all of them are pleased about it. With that, you begin to lose all the interest in working and socializing with your peers. What you don’t understand is not because people don’t agree or like what you did, that doesn’t mean your work is terrible. You miss recognizing that there are a whole lot of other perspectives that these individuals are looking right at the moment. In this scenario, the problem lies in your way of thinking.
The Assumption
The one particular problem that most likely stresses you is an assumption. So what if others don’t like your work? So what if your co-workers don’t want to work with you? So what if your boss often demands everything? It might not be that bad. Honestly, it is just a matter of perspective and anything along those lines. And although if your work fails, your peers don’t socialize with you and your boss complaints a lot, it doesn’t mean anything about who you are. You need to realize that making mistakes and not being liked by everybody is not a reason to hate or doubt yourself. Therefore, there is no genuine excuse to live your working life full of stress. According to Dan Guerra, PsyD, “Managing stress involves addressing the relationship with ourselves while we work as well as addressing how we are relating to others–down, up, or across the corporate hierarchy.”
Insight
The truth is, you will continue to stress about a lot of things that are possibly going wrong in your workplace. And no matter how great things are, there is still no guarantee that all of it will stay that way. But if you know you matter, at least try and change your perspective. Take a moment right now and think about how you want your health would be in the next few days. If you aim for a better emotional and mental strength, then let go of your assumptions. Look for ways that can assist you with your distressing process. Consider taking steps one at a time. “It isn’t the work that leaves you unable to relax. It’s that you see the work as a threat. Stress is not a reaction to an event but rather to how you interpret the event.” Psychologist Allan R. Cohen, PsyD explained.