Why are Jobs Stressful

From LoveToKnow Stress

Have you found yourself wondering, "Why are jobs stressful?" It may be because you feel like you are about to explode at any minute because you're overworked, or because you aren't happy with life and you believe it's because of the job related stress.

Why are Jobs Stressful: Many Answers to One Question

Most jobs are stressful, but reasons for the stress varies. It's important to look at all aspects of the job, including yourself, to determine the cause. Common sources of stress in the workplace include:

  • Customers: If you have a job that involves customer service, you are inevitably going to have to deal with some disgruntled people. No matter what type of service you provide, there is bound to be someone who is unhappy and this can be a major cause for stress, especially when the person makes threats of cancelling your company's business or reporting you to your superiors.
  • Coworkers: You most likely won't like everyone that you work with, especially in a large company. If you have to work with someone you don't enjoy working with, this can especially cause you a great deal of stress.
  • Paperwork: If your job involves paperwork, you may feel pressured to complete it on time and correctly. As paper buries your desk, you start feeling overwhelmed and your anxiety level increases.
  • Nature of Your Job: You may have to work in dangerous conditions such as with large machinery or with dangerous people (such as in a prison) that can cause stress.
  • Job Security: During a turbulent economy or company shift, you may fear job loss. People around you are receiving their layoff notices and you are just holding your breath waiting to find out if you are next.
  • Perfectionism: Being perfect is almost impossible and placing these demands on yourself may do you more harm than good.
  • Procrastination: You have deadlines and treat them as scheduled days to do what is due. Try doing your work ahead of time and it will cut back on unnecessary stress.
  • Poor Time Management: You always feel like you are running, no matter how productive you are in a day. You may need better time management skills to handle your large workload so it is more manageable.
  • Work Environment: You may have a loud co-worker in the cubicle next to you or the office has fluorescent lights that give you headaches. Environmental conditions can have a lot to do with productivity as well as your anxiety level.
  • Inefficient Equipment: If your computer runs slowly or machinery is breaking often, you are unable to do your job well, which results in being behind and feeling overwhelmed.

Dealing with Uncontrollable Job Stress

One of the biggest causes of stress is when situations at work happen that are beyond your control. The only thing you can do to help lower stress in an uncontrollable work environment is to take steps to control what you can. By knowing why are jobs stressful, you can initiate changes to lower your work related stress.

  • If a coworker irritates you, try to stay away from him/her as much as possible. If you have to work on a project together, do the project as quickly as possible, try to delegate tasks so you can do your part on your own.
  • If customers are a source of your anxiety, try to use some relaxation techniques to lower your stress when dealing with them. You may not be able to control what your customers say and do but you can control the way you react to them.
  • If you know that your computer runs slowly at certain times, try to get your computer work done outside of that time. If equipment fails unexpectedly, consult your boss and discuss how this is greatly affecting your productivity, which means less money for the company.
  • To deal with the nature of your work and job security, practice stress management techniques. You can't do much about the nature of your work except to find another job, but if that is not desirable you can learn ways to decrease your reaction to the nature of your work.

Taking Control of Controllable Work Stress

Stress at work has a tendency to overflow into other areas of your life. Take control of the things that are overwhelming or stress you out such as doing assignments before the due date and improving your time management skills. Taking steps to decrease stress at work will not only improve job satisfaction but also make life much more satisfying.



 


Comment on Why are Jobs Stressful



(Displayed with your comment)                        (Will not be displayed)
Verification Code:   
    

Stress Management Categories
LoveToKnow Tools