Are You Stressed At Work?

It is well known that stress can cause problems with your physical and emotional health. A recent article published by Anastasia Stephens of The Independent states: "The personal effects of constant pressure are well-known."

Alex Bremer, a professor at Southampton University and a leading authority on stress management, explains: "In fight-or-flight, your body turns off all the long-term building and repair projects. Constant high levels of cortisol take your body's eye off the ball. Memory and accuracy are both impaired. Patrols for invaders aren't sent out, you tire more easily, you can become depressed and reproduction can become impared."

Stephen's article went on to say: "Exposed to chronic stress for years, high blood levels of glucose and fatty acids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A recent branch of knowledge at UKings College London found that stress raised cholesterol levels, another factor that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease".

Take, for example, a high performance car, we recognise the importance of regular servicing as an annual service to maintain its performance and look after our investment. We as human beings need the same care and attention to ensure sustainability. Life coaching must be used as a pre-emptive measure to deal with issues before they become unfixable problems.

How to tell if your employee is becoming stressed:

- An outgoing individual becomes insular and introvert. - Become rather ill looking and/or pallid - Becomes overly defensive when questioned about anything - Becomes very moody - Catches Illnesses more often - Job performance is decreased - Sense of humour failure - Working longer and unsociable hours

Of course, an easy assumption to make is that there could be personal problems. That doesn't negate the help and support offered by employers. Our work and personal lives dovetail, and whatever the long-term cause or problem, our performance in the work place will eventually be affected.

A company's aim should not only be to address problems or under performing employees, but also to unleash employee's potential. Business owners and managers need to help successful staff become even more successful.

Sports coaching offers a good example - leading athletes all have support teams to keep them at the top of their game, and I would argue that there should be no difference in business.Staff should be allowed sessions which provide 100% focus on them, which allow them to open up in a secure private environment that is non-judgemental and non-directional.

This will help them to become enlightened, empowered, grow in confidence and to achieve results.