Surmount stress

Prakriti Poddar

Growing anxiety at workplace is painfully common these days. As many as 300 million people globally suffer from workplace-related depression and 260 million suffer from anxiety disorders. Some live with both conditions. Another report suggest around 50 per cent of those with depression are untreated. Lack of fostering and an encouraging environment is taking a toll on the mental well-being of employees, which is also manifesting in physical illnesses. 

Demanding pace of work, fewer resources, cost-cutting, and constant pressures of increasing productivity are some of the factors that have become the root cause of workplace stress or anxiety. 

These along with behavioural challenges of peers and seniors, growing competitiveness, long and odd working hours, as well as fear of embarrassment, humiliation, rebuke, and failure add to the mental “burden”. But workplace anxiety can be dealt with by taking the following seven steps: 

Increase exercise and physical activity 

Physical activity is an important factor that is being ignored completely due to sedentary work life. Many studies have shown that exercise and engaging in a physical activity like a sport increases happy hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, while decreasing stress hormone cortical. It also helps push more oxygen in the circulation system. 

Sleep and meditation

It is estimated that around 60 to 80 per cent of accidents on the job occur due to stress- related distraction and sleepiness. Despite our hectic lifestyles, it is essential to rest the body and mind which help one get back into action. Around 6 to 8 hours of sleep is advised, and maintaining sleep hygiene is important. Meditation helps in easing the mind and is another resting tool. Factoring in time for meditation is beneficial in the long run.  

Share, care, and speak-up

It is important to have a positive and fostering behaviour with peers and seniors at workplace as it is important to listen. Avoid giving unsolicited advice. Sharing your frustrations and challenges with a trusted colleague help in easing out.  Also, speak-up for better workplace practices with your employer and suggest solutions of managing work. Spread awareness about rights and negotiate workspace which ensures these rights are respected. 

Counselling

Professional counselling via an organisational and occupational psychiatrist can play a big role in reducing workplace stress and anxiety and fostering healthy workplace environment. The discussions can help find solutions to work management challenges as well as help one counter individual problems which are affecting productivity or efficiency of the employees. Counselling helps in reducing short-term absence, improves workplace morale, helps the organisation by aiding employee retention, helps understand and address the pain areas of the employees. 

Organisational HR policy

Having a strong HR policy which fosters a healthy workplace environment and ensures zero tolerance towards gender, class, religion, or caste discrimination is important. 

Training the HR resources to manage such issues with due sensitivity and appropriate measured action is also essential. HR can also be instrumental in ensuring implementation of policies that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. 

In a country where an estimated 66 per cent CEOs are stressed and 11 per cent find the challenges at hand too much to handle,  there is a definite need for a revamped and more focused mental health policy programme at  workplaces. 

 — The writer is Managing Trustee, Poddar Foundation and Director Poddar Wellness Ltd

Reduce screen time 

Although modern day work life mandates engaging with technology, one should try and reduce engaging with tech post work. Finding avenues of entertainment by listening to music, playing a game, pursuing a hobby etc, are better ways to unwind.