Stress Head

The definition of stress is different depending on who is doing the defining! In the UK the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines stress as ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or types of demand placed upon them’.

Stress is the name given to the body’s inability to cope with negative stress which requires a physical, emotional or mental adjustment. Eustress is constructive stress which does not last long and enables people to find extra strength to cope with a situation, for example athletes have eustress prior to a competition which increases their heart rate and raises blood pressure.

Each person’s work related stress should be acknowledge and taken seriously by the management team of a company. Any form of stress should be recognized and support offered to help reduce the level of negative stress being experienced as this can have a detrimental effect on staff morale and productivity.

The definition of stress can also be explained as an event or situation which makes someone frustrated, angry, nervous or anxious.

Although most people experience pressure from work from time to time those who believe they are suffering from levels of stress which are making then physically or emotionally ill should go the doctor for help, guidance and support.

Physical symptoms of stress in the work place or in personal life can include changes in normal patterns of behaviour, irritability which may also lead to aggression, the inability to make decisions or to concentrate properly, indecisiveness, excessive smoking, increased alcohol consumption and drug taking. At work people may become uncooperative, negative and unable to take any form of advice or criticism which is constructive.

Work related stress often leads to people taking time off work due to their stress or illnesses induced by the stress. There is an estimated half a million people suffering from work related stress in the UK every year.

The definition of stress which is caused by lifestyle is the same as workplace stress. It is when someone is put under adverse pressure which they are unable to cope with. This may be stress caused by money problems, housing or homelessness, stress due to children, inability to conceive a baby and countless other reasons. This stress causes as much emotional and physical illness as work related stress and can have an affect on relationships, sex drive and the inability to cope with everyday situations.