WORK STRESS IN MODERN LIFE

🌍 Our Health and Work Stress in Today’s Life: The Blind Race

Why and where do we all run ? What to achieve and with a desire for more and more.

Life has become a never ending marathon in today’s world. We are just running and running without a finish line. Promotions, targets,clients courtesy, chasing deadlines,recognition,status,competition has become the only necessity in one's life. But with this blind race,we are losing the most precious thing of our life — our health, satisfaction and peace of mind.

Yes of course, the modern and fast evolving world is full of facilities, comfort and technology, yet it is giving more stress,anxiety,body and mental health issues. We actually think that work stress is associated with the corporate world but today,it can be seen in every job,profession,business and even with any age group. The global lifestyle has changed today as now we are working more,sleeping very less and always feeling tired.

In this article, we will discuss the causes,adverse effects and some preventive steps or measures so that we can balance the stress to maintain our health. Let’s start with the following interesting explanations. 

⚙️ The Reasons : Why Are We So Stressed?

1. Overwork trend and pressure 

Today,at our workplaces,working for long hours and being so busy has become a trend and culture. Targeted sale,constant client approach and connectivity,deadlines of work and locking of deals or proposals at any cost is the main motive of work now. Keeping ourselves busy on laptops and smartphones even after working hours,creates a pressure of overwork and really disturbs the personal life resulting in various kinds of body and mental health issues.

2. The Digital Vise

Technology and new inventions have made our life quite easy as compared with the previous generations but,lots of stress and dissatisfaction have increased too. You are always at work with constant messages,notifications,calls and emails. Even after you are off,you are approachable and available with the help of technology and it's quite difficult to be disconnected. In this situation a digital fatigue is formed and its pressure won't make you feel relaxed. 

3. Comparison and Competition 

Our modern world is running with comparisons everywhere in every field. People always compare themselves with others'jobs,earnings,house,cars and lifestyle. Now, social media increases this competition as people become so insecure and less-capable after seeing the posts and reels of successful ones. The feeling of comparison and indulging ourselves in competition to achieve more,pushes us to work harder,even our health comes on stake. 

4. Financial Stress

The lifestyle has entirely changed in today’s world. Earlier,a single pen was enough for a week in school but today, children ask for a pen daily. A single dish for a whole day meal was enough but today,2 or 3 dishes are a must with dessert and a weekend with dinner in a cosy restaurant is a charm. Dresses were made on festivals or occasionally but today,a new trending dress is required anytime. All these examples have increased the financial burden or stress and created the environment where people have to do multiple jobs or working late hours to earn more and fulfill their lifestyle requirements without considering physical and mental health. 

5. Less Emotional Support

Man is a social animal as we have heard and read so many times. We live in a society, having friends, family and other social connections. Today in our fast evolving world,our life race has dimmed our social life,where we can share our feelings, our happiness, our sorrows. Only the screen medium is left to be in touch with others and that is only for a few minutes. We can call it an ‘emotional isolation’ which has a big impact on our health. People really feel so lonely without any emotional support.

💣 The Adverse Effects: Worst Outcomes of Stress

1. Physical Health Loss 

The stress related to our work is connected with many health problems. Heart disease, blood pressure, blood sugar, obesity and poor immunity are very common among the people suffering from work related stress. Prolonged work tension may trigger the stress hormones that cause serious damage to our body.

2. Mental Health Issue 

Work-related stress gives many serious problems to the people and especially to our adults. The contingencies like anxiety, depression, burnout,insomnia and even dementia are some examples because of mental stress. The World Health Organization also recognised ‘burnout’ as the result of chronic workplace stress. Overwork stress gradually lessens creativity, focusing power and emotional stability which leads to poor performance and dissatisfaction in life.

3. Losing Relationships

Personal relationships are the biggest victim of work stress. The priority and pressure of work load has ruined many relationships that can be seen in our daily life, in our surroundings. Losing friends and relatives, weakening of family bonds and very often the end of marriages comes into existence just because of work pressure. The irritation and exhaustion from work load can't make the balance between the relationship and work. 

4. No Purpose No Joy remains 

We have become so addicted to the work-race we started and eventually it is a blind race too. After a long time of running after goals,we just forget about why and for what purpose we have started this race initially. Peace of mind,health and happiness with our near ones become very less important or charming and the success becomes meaningless. Nothing remains except a tired body and lost mind.

🌿 Maintain the Balance: Lessen the Work Stress

1. Priority to Health over Wealth

“Health is wealth”,no money can buy you good health. Whatever and how much you earn can't be compared with your health. A simple labour has a sound sleep and a wealthy person keeps tumbling on the bed whole night just to get a nap. Keep exercising,have a balanced meal on time,adequate sleep on time,30 minutes brisk walk daily,and some yoga or meditation can improve your physical and mental health. Divide your 24 hour day in 3 parts, 8 hours for work,8 hours for family,friends and entertainment and the last 8 hours for sound sleep.

2. Setting Boundaries and Time Limit for Work

Slowly and gradually try to say ‘NO’ where it is necessary and when your health is on stake. Avoid doing work after working hours and switch off the phones and laptops so that you can enjoy with your family and friends. Set the boundaries, rules and regulations for yourself with your work to be stress-free. Once you are all set with your rules,you can become more focused, energetic,creative and dedicated with your work.

3. Regular Mind Exercise 

Today, anxiety is a very common issue in our generation and it is doubled when associated with work load. Some deep-breathing exercises and meditation is the very best solution to reduce anxiety. Taking short breaks,having a walk,and a little body stretch can help a lot to lessen the stress of the mind. Make it a routine with your work.

4. Be connected with People

Loneliness is itself a big problem and brings many health issues in future. Always try to talk and connect with the people who support you and who cares for you. It is a kind of hidden moral support that gives you immense satisfaction and happiness. Beside this, it is one of the best medicines for stress as suggested by many doctors and scholars. Moreover, it also reduces the emotional burdens that make you dizzy and lost minded.

5. Planning and Organizing

Work in scattered and unsystematic form creates a mess and sometimes very difficult to complete in stated time. Plan and organize your work in a systematic way so that there is no burden of work which is a huge cause of stress. Make a to-do list,work step by step,complete the easy tasks first so that you might have enough time to handle the typical ones. This planning will make you more creative and increase productivity as well. By this you can reduce a lot of stress.

6. Go for Professional Help without any Hesitancy

Whenever you feel more stressed from work,just go for therapy or counseling from professionals. These professionals can assist you with valuable tips and strategies that you can't figure out by yourself sometimes. Just go for professional help without any hesitation or shame,before it's too late and your stress converts into depression,burnout or any other health issue.

7. Understand and Re-evaluate Success

Success doesn't mean to keep running and earning money or fame only; rather it means to acquire happiness and satisfaction. What type of success is this,where you are working for 10 to 12 hours,busy always,no time for good sleep and meals and no time for family and friends. Inner peace,good health, happiness and satisfaction defines your true success. Try to make a balance between your work and your satisfaction. The more satisfied you are, the more successful you are.

🌞 Conclusion: 

We all must understand to maintain our health while managing our work without indulging ourselves in a blind race that has no end.

Companies must create a healthy environment in offices by providing flexible work hours,rewards to the employees,encouraging them with extra holidays rather than overload of work.

Individuals,on the other hand too,must remember the purpose of life which is full of happiness and satisfaction with work.

Your success should be a reason for your good health and happiness rather than a blind race that is full of stress.

Thanks for reading, 

Have a nice day 😊.