Is Your Job Stressing You Out?

Stress can impact almost every aspect of our lives, causing difficulty concentrating or sleeping, a weakened immune system, frequent headaches and more.

And long-term chronic stress can have even more negative and lasting effects when it is not addressed.

The American Psychological Association’s (APA) annual Stress in America survey has found that a majority of Americans consistently report their employment as a significant source of stress. And today's stressors are so different then they were 2 or 3 months ago. Think about it, from healthcare workers, grocery clerks to the stressors of working from home, the stress and anxiety levels are through the roof!

And while it might not be possible to totally eliminate or avoid all job stressors, it is possible to manage that stress—even in today's "new normal".

Try these five effective tactics to manage the pressure:

1. Track stressors. By the end of the workday, your shoulders are hunched up to your ears and you’re snapping at people for no reason. But what got you there? Consider jotting down situations and instances that cause you stress. The APA suggests recording your thoughts, feelings and information about the environment, including the people and circumstances involved, the physical setting and how you reacted.
   
   
2. Healthy responses. Once you’ve identified how you respond to stress in the moment, e.g., polishing off a bag of chips after your boss hands you another assignment at 4:52 p.m., you can work on breaking those habits and replacing them with healthy responses. Daily exercise can help to reduce overall stress levels. If you can’t go for a run or hit the gym when stress strikes, try deep breathing exercises or listening to your favorite music.
   
   
3. Talk to a supervisor. Productivity and positive work culture are tied directly to employee well-being. A stressful work environment is not conducive to positive results. If you identify stressors that can potentially be reduced or eliminated with the help of management, consider having a conversation with your supervisor about how to make that happen. Don’t think of the conversation as a vent session; instead, use it to dialogue about the supports and resources you need to best perform your job. 
   
   
4. Slow down. Think things through before you act on them and begin with an end result in mind. If you take the time to complete a task safely and accurately, it will reduce your stress in the long run.
   
   
5. Plan and prioritize. Don’t panic when faced with stressful situations. Set realistic deadlines for yourself and prioritize your tasks to stay focused.

Getting Help
Everyone experiences periods of stress. Some stress is normal, but if your feelings of stress become persistent and overwhelming it may be an indication of a serious medical problem. In such a case, you should see
your doctor or use your company’s Employee Assistance Program if
one is available.

The Ulliance Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program
The business community has come to recognize that everyday work stress can negatively affect employees’ attendance, concentration, health and ability to perform on the job. Because of this, the number of companies adding EAP programs as an employee benefit has substantially increased.

The Ulliance Life Advisor EAP supplies professional counselors who provide counseling to you and your family in a safe and private atmosphere. All the information disclosed will remain confidential, and no contact with your employer will be made without written permission. Using an EAP will not
jeopardize your job or chance for promotion.

The Ulliance Employee Assistance Program can address the
following issues:
• Stress about work or job performance
• Conflict resolution at work or in one’s personal life
• Marital or relationship problems
• Child or elder care concerns
• Financial worries
• Mental health problems
• Alcohol/substance abuse
• Grief
• Interpersonal conflicts
• AND MORE!

Hundreds of organizations support their employees through The Ulliance Life Advisor EAP. Ulliance not only provides face-to-face counseling services as part of our EAP benefit, but counseling and coaching services are also just a phone call away!

This allows employees to speak to a counselor or coach on the phone when it’s convenient for them, even during evening hours. We can help keep your employees on track to meet their goals, and we’re available 24/7!

To find out more about our EAP services, visit www.ulliance.com, or call 866-648-8326. Enhancing people. Improving business.