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Nip the stress bud
Poor habits at the office can lead to burnout. One expert tells the reporter how to avoid this.
"Stress is part and parcel of life. In fact, without some stress at the workplace, we would not strive to meet deadlines or archieve production targets. Instead, one should look for alternatives to handle it. Resignation is only a last resort," explains Dr Bernard Lim, president of the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS).
On the flipside, there must be moderation in stress levels, as too much of it can be destructive to one's physical and mental well-being.
"Excessive stress at the workplace can lead to increased blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, migraines, gastrointestinal disorders and emotional upheavals like anger, anxiety, depression and low esteem," warns Dr Lim.
According to him, unmanaged stress can lead to poor work performance, over-reliance on and in some cases, abuse and addiction to prescription drugs, diminished communication abilities and irrational behaviour like picking quarrels over small issues.
Stress is triggered by a multitude of causes. It could arise from time-consuming tasks not related to one's job scope. These unnecessary burdens can lead to one being overworked and consequently, having less time for rest and recreation.
Dr Lim discloses, "Bosses breathing down your neck or colleagues you simply cannot work with are two of the leading causes of stress."
Though not possible to completely eliminate it, stress levels can be mitigated.
"Don't sweat on trivial matters like getting into petty arguments with colleagues over non-work issues as this can spill over into the workplace. The key to a less stressful work environment is to make friends, not burn bridges," says Dr Lim.
Significant strides in alleviating stress levels can be made if there is constant communication between management and employees.
Clear-the-air talks are one of the most effective methods in resolving disputes and clarifying misunderstandings. Bottling up unhappiness will only prolong one's misery and can ultimately affect individual performance.
"One should approach their direct superior and voice their concerns. In that way, management will get feedback. The awareness created will provide management with some understanding of an employee's predicament," Dr Lim explains.
However, in order for a management-employee synergy to work, the former must be proactive in feeling the pulse of its employees and identify any potential problem before it spirals out of control.
Recognising employees for their efforts and achievements are also important as employees will feel appreciated and valued, a definite plus for morale, says Dr Lim. At the end of the day, it is up to the individual to help oneself.
Dr Lim offers, "Organise your work, be systematic, manage your time properly and set realistic goals. Never procrastinate at work or it can create a backlog that becomes a snowball with stress written all over it."