Are you stressed at work?
Stress is something that most of us go through and it’s an ongoing issue for all of us at some point or another. Studies around stress show that stress can sometimes be good for us and it gives as a natural high to keep going. This can be linked to our fight or flight response which helps us respond to stressful; situations. However if you are stressed every day about life and even work this isn’t good and can have several health implications.
In this post we are especially looking at how stress and job hunting can effect you and why it’s something that effects many of us. Although job hunting is something many of us have encountered. In an ever changing more digital world. Post Pandemic many of maybe feeling overwhelmed at times especially if you are having to look for another job.
According to a survey done by Perkbox in 2020 at least 79% of us suffer from work related stress. This shows the impact stress is having on our work lives. In 2018 when Perkbox did this survey the figure was only 59%. This increase indicates a rise in our stress levels and it’s important that we talk about it more. It equally important that if you are stressed you get support and take action too.
Post Pandemic the impact of stress hasn’t shifted much due to workload. According to Champion Health this year 76% of us stressed with 73% of this being due to workload.
Stress what does it look like ?
Some of the most common symptoms of stress at work may include a mixture of physical and emotional reactions. Please see a list of some of these below.
Headaches
Feeling dizzy
Stomach issues
Chest pain
Trouble concentrating
Worrying all the time
Feeling really overwhelmed
If you feel these symptoms momentarily and you return normally to your life and work that’s fine. However where stress can escalate is when these kind of symptoms become a daily occurrence this is when you need to think about talking to your GP and ask for help.
Why stress is different during a recession and cost of living crisis
2023 has been a turbulent year not just because of the recession but also because this inflation as effected how people are choosing to make certain decisions. This recession is causing many of us to feel increasingly uncertain. This uncertainty will lead to many people feeling stressed. Whatever your situation this could include you are working right now, being furlough or being made redundant.
Some factors that surround this stress include people worrying about
The future implications of their job and industry
Financial concerns especially if you have debts or a mortgage
If you will get a new job after you have been redundant
Working from home whilst balancing a family
Work will be different right now because many people are still working from home or in situations that were not foreseen. With job losses and closures comes the same level of work or even more work. So the pressure to get work done is still there and an increase in work may feel more overwhelming.
Some of the people most effected with stress at this time could be the NHS, Transport for London, Government etc.
What can you learn from this that will help you later on in life
This isn’t the 1st recession and won’t be the last – I did a podcast episode about the recession and the last global crash was in 2008. Many people have survived that crash and although it’s different to this crash we have had many recessions and recovered. So if you are feeling overwhelmed look at this article here - https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/12/how-does-uks-covid-recession-compare-with-previous-ones
Also have you been unemployed before? If so what did you learn from it? The reason I ask this is when you aren’t working this allows us to reflect on our life and overall meaning of what work means to us. If you were unemployed before and got a job how did you bounce back? A lot of people may be concerned that they may never get a new job. It’s important to think about what your work means to you and apply for jobs that you know will not only pay the bills but you also enjoy that work.
Stress and your career
Working from home could be the new normal for our future and for some years to come. It’s important you understand how you can adapt this. If this level of change is causing you stress what can you do to cope with this better. For example having a schedule or routine just as you did when you travelled to work will help with this.
Also what are the other options you can have to earn and make money if this is something that is causing you stress and worry. Can you change your career? Start a side hustle etc. Really think about all your options because even if it may seem like things are against you there is always a solution.
Money is something that causes many of my clients anxiety and I know many of you are really worried about this. I think it’s important you think how you can save money, spend where needed and think about costs that are essentials. If you think you need financial support get it. I spoke about this in my article here about money
If you liked this blog post please see useful links in line with this post
Recession episode - https://www.somaghosh.com/podcast/episode-51-tips-on-how-to-cope-with-the-economic-recession
Blog about health - https://www.somaghosh.com/careerhappinesssblog/why-mental-wellbeing-is-an-important-part-of-career-happiness
I really hope this post has helped you at this time and if you are stressed or know someone who is please share this post with them.