There are countless factors that contribute to stress in the workplace. In senior positions, long hours, in particular, are probably affecting your stress levels and health more than you think.
Stanford Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer recently published a new book surrounding the negative effects of stress, and highlighted how “long hours have become the norm for successful employees interested in advancing their careers”. In fact, for some, it has become a measure of how valuable you are as an employee.
Researchers at University College London found a correlation between working more than 55 hours a week and cardiovascular problems (Kivimaki et al., 2017). We are all aware of the health risks related to stress, so why are we valuing our senior positions over our health?
With these findings in mind, stress and chronic illness prevention should be a priority. Since there is a clear relationship between workplace stress and chronic illnesses, here are some important changes that will encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Take charge
Manage your time strictly and prepare for stressful situations. You are in control of how you respond. Be more assertive and learn to say no. Delegate tasks to others, even if it means having your children help out around the house more, just make time for you to relax and switch off.
Make healthy lifestyle changes
Avoid cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs as a coping mechanism for your stress. Instead, make an effort to exercise more, even if it’s only 30 minutes a day. Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated, and focus on breathing exercises when you feel your stress levels rising.
Start a stress journal
Find
out what exactly is causing your stress and find coping mechanisms that help
you deal with it. Ask yourself why you are feeling stressed, and what you can
do to relax your mind. It’s really important that you make time for yourself,
for your hobbies, and for your friends and family.
Last but certainly not least, learn to adapt. Accept that it isn’t a perfect
world and things won’t always go your way. Learn to let go, and move on.
