{"id":20125,"date":"2023-01-17T10:35:42","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T15:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20125"},"modified":"2023-03-03T14:49:15","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:49:15","slug":"6-signs-of-work-related-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/6-signs-of-work-related-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Signs of Work-Related Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many of us experience elevated stress because of things we\u2019re going through at work. That stress can lead to all sorts of health issues, but it\u2019s not always obvious that stress is the root cause. The ways your body copes with stress might differ from the way others\u2019 do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both your physical and mental health <\/span>can deteriorate<\/span><\/a> when you\u2019re under work-related stress. Since <\/span>4 out of every 5 adults<\/span><\/a> are experiencing work-related stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, learning the signs and symptoms is more important than ever. Here are six of the most common indicators of stress that you should look out for.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Frequent Headaches<\/h2>\n

Have you ever had a headache set in while you were at work? It\u2019s a disruptive experience that can be debilitating when it\u2019s severe. The pain differs based on the kind of headache you have. Migraines and tension headaches are the most common stress-related headaches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tension headaches<\/span><\/a> are characterized by pain that resembles a too-tight headband. The pain isn\u2019t usually severe, but that doesn\u2019t make it any less uncomfortable. If you get a migraine, however, you\u2019re in for a completely different experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Migraines<\/span><\/a> can be one-offs or a chronic disorder. Symptoms include severe throbbing head pain, as well as nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound. This can go on for several hours or days.<\/span><\/p>\n

The biggest difference from tension headaches is that migraines make it difficult to keep living your life. Many people experiencing migraines are confined to their homes and even to their beds until symptoms subside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fatigue<\/h2>\n

Prolonged stress might make it difficult to get through your days because of overwhelming fatigue. You might be so tired that all you want to do is sleep, no matter how much rest you get each night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fatigue can interfere with your work performance, triggering a snowball effect. Poor performance leads to increasing stress, which might worsen fatigue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Difficulty Concentrating<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re under stress, you might have a hard time focusing. This lack of concentration is the direct result of long-term stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you experience stress, your body <\/span>produces higher levels of cortisol<\/span><\/a>. In the short term, it works in tandem with adrenaline to increase motivation and efficiency. But long-term cortisol production has severe side effects on your brain, including difficulty concentrating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Teeth-Grinding<\/h2>\n

Grinding your teeth might not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to <\/span>oral health issues<\/span><\/a>. This possibly inadvertent coping mechanism can damage your teeth, cause headaches and contribute to jaw disorders. A <\/span>dentist<\/span><\/a> can help you assess if your teeth are damaged from grinding. If your grinding is persistent, your dentist might suggest a mouth guard or other method for protecting your teeth while you sleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Insomnia<\/h2>\n

Can\u2019t sleep after a rough day at work, even though you\u2019re exhausted? You might be experiencing insomnia from work-related stress, which has significant physical and mental health implications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sleep deprivation<\/span><\/a> makes it hard to focus, slows reaction times and impacts your mood. It can also cause pain and discomfort with headaches or worrisome symptoms like tremors or difficulty speaking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stomach Problems\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

An unexpected outcome of work-related stress is tummy trouble. When you\u2019re under stress, several factors can cause <\/span>stomach issues<\/span><\/a>. Your central nervous system connects the nerves in your brain directly to those in your gastrointestinal tract. As a result, stress can sometimes show up as pain in your belly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress can also disrupt the balance of bacteria in your gut or lead to stress-eating, both of which can cause stomach pain. The discomfort from these issues might prevent you from participating in everyday activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tips for Managing Work-Related Stress<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re experiencing signs and symptoms of work-related stress, you can do something about it. First and foremost, you should remove yourself from any toxic workplace that\u2019s making you ill on a regular basis \u2014 though keep in mind that stress is a normal part of most jobs in small doses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People dealing with stress in the workplace from time to time can take steps to minimize it and improve their circumstances. Here are some tried and true coping skills that help reduce stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Emphasize Boundaries<\/h2>\n

You\u2019re the one who sets the tone for your work experience. If you don\u2019t, your colleagues may take advantage of you whether they mean to or not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Without boundaries, you\u2019re more likely to experience burnout and stress. Depending on your job, implementing some of these boundaries at work can help reduce stress:<\/span><\/p>\n