We like to talk about stress when in fact we should be talking about pressure. This may seem pedantic but given the possible consequences of real stress we should be careful and accurate about our use of language.
A good place to start is to be found on the Health and Safety Executive website:
HSE's formal definition of work related stress is:
"The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work."
Stress is not an illness – it is a state. However, if stress becomes too excessive and prolonged, mental and physical illness may develop.
Work related stress at the HSE
We all require pressure in life, hunger creates a pressure that results in us needing to eat and rummaging through the cupboards to find food. Without pressure we wouldn't get out of bed and go to work. Pressure is a motivator and not a dirty word. When we deal with pressure with experience success and with that satisfaction, pleasure, a sense of fulfilment and so on. We can handle multiple pressures without feeling overloaded and after all we do it all the time, both in our working lives and at home. However this can change and this is when we can start to experience stress.
Pressures can become excessive, too may books to mark, OFSTED and a parents' evening. Over a short period of time most can handle increased pressure but it is when these extremes of pressure are sustained that it can start having a psychological and/or physiological effect, it is at this point that stress is being experienced.
Until a tipping point is reached I would suggest (as shown in the graph) that our response and effectiveness increases as the pressures increases, however we reach a point where it all becomes too much. Rather than "maxing-out" we tend to lose effectiveness and find that we can't handle more and more tasks, this is when we are at risk of stress.
Self awareness is extremely important. If you don't do this already you need to try to analyse your own effectiveness as pressure increases. Listen to friends and family and be wary of the onset of stress. Know the signs and symptoms and be prepared to articulate your concerns to your line manager.
Again the HSE website is a valuable resource (from which the following is taken):
Finally following my request for reader input the following was sent to me (thank you):
A good place to start is to be found on the Health and Safety Executive website:
HSE's formal definition of work related stress is:
"The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work."
Stress is not an illness – it is a state. However, if stress becomes too excessive and prolonged, mental and physical illness may develop.
Work related stress at the HSE
We all require pressure in life, hunger creates a pressure that results in us needing to eat and rummaging through the cupboards to find food. Without pressure we wouldn't get out of bed and go to work. Pressure is a motivator and not a dirty word. When we deal with pressure with experience success and with that satisfaction, pleasure, a sense of fulfilment and so on. We can handle multiple pressures without feeling overloaded and after all we do it all the time, both in our working lives and at home. However this can change and this is when we can start to experience stress.
Pressures can become excessive, too may books to mark, OFSTED and a parents' evening. Over a short period of time most can handle increased pressure but it is when these extremes of pressure are sustained that it can start having a psychological and/or physiological effect, it is at this point that stress is being experienced.
Until a tipping point is reached I would suggest (as shown in the graph) that our response and effectiveness increases as the pressures increases, however we reach a point where it all becomes too much. Rather than "maxing-out" we tend to lose effectiveness and find that we can't handle more and more tasks, this is when we are at risk of stress.
Self awareness is extremely important. If you don't do this already you need to try to analyse your own effectiveness as pressure increases. Listen to friends and family and be wary of the onset of stress. Know the signs and symptoms and be prepared to articulate your concerns to your line manager.
Again the HSE website is a valuable resource (from which the following is taken):
Signs of stress in individuals
If you are suffering from some of the following symptoms it may indicate that you are feeling the effects of stress. If you find that work or aspects of your work bring on or make these symptoms worse, speak to your line manager, trade union representative or your HR department. It may be that some action taken at an early stage will ease the stress and reduce or stop the symptoms.Emotional symptoms
- Negative or depressive feeling
- Disappointment with yourself
- Increased emotional reactions - more tearful or sensitive or aggressive
- Loneliness, withdrawn
- Loss of motivation commitment and confidence
- Mood swings (not behavioural)
Mental
- Confusion, indecision
- Cant concentrate
- Poor memory
Changes from your normal behaviour
- Changes in eating habits
- Increased smoking, drinking or drug taking 'to cope'
- Mood swings effecting your behaviour
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Twitchy, nervous behaviour
- Changes in attendance such as arriving later or taking more time off.
Finally following my request for reader input the following was sent to me (thank you):
I saw you post about stress. I believe it is because it's an
ever changing playing field, curriculum, health and safety, safeguarding,
personnel, finance. It's hard to focus on one thing and do it well at times and
schools are open long hours, my primary is open 7 am to 9pm and at weekends and
just so much going on constantly.
Is it any wonder that colleagues go beyond pressure and into stress?
An interesting blog, Mark. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI think it was very important to mention that certain behaviours may be due to conditions other than stress.
It might be useful to post some links on the blog to help readers access further information and advice. I tried to paste some in this comments box but couldn't!
Just spotted your links!
ReplyDelete