“Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with itâ€
Lily Tomlin
As we near the New Year we can all related to just how stressed we have been from time to time. As we take the time this holiday season to unwind a bit, we can also reflect on the pace of work and life and just how balanced our lives have become. It is unlikely that without commitment to change our work and life habits, that stress in our life will likely diminish.
Any guess just how stressed most of us feel at work? Earlier research of our own has shown that 40% to 60% of all employees report a high level of stress at work ((Nowack, K. (2006). Optimising Employee Resilience: Coaching to Help Individuals Modify Lifestyle. Stress News, International Journal of Stress Management, Volume 18, 9-12)).
Recently, the American Psychological Association (APA) commissioned its annual nationwide survey to examine the state of stress across the country. This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive between August 30 and September 11, 2007, among 1,848 adults (aged 18 and over).
How We Feel
72% of those in the survey say they are not managing stress well. In the last month the survey found that:
- 77% reported experiencing physical symptoms of stress
- 73% report experiencing psychological symptoms
Physical symptoms of stress included:
- Low energy/Fatigue 51%
- Headaches 44%
- Stomach problems 34%
- Muscular tension and tightness 30%
- Appetite Change 23%
- Grinding Teeth 17%
- Change in sex drive 15%
Psychological symptoms of stress included:
- Anger/Irritability 50%
- Laying awake at night due to stress 48%
- Nervous/Anxious 45%
- Emotional upset to the point of crying 35%
We are What We Do
In the APA survey, 43% reported eating unhealthy foods to manage stress and 36% skipped a meal in the last month because of stress. Not surprisingly those who drink (39%) or smoke cigarettes (19%) also reported poor lifestyle practices during high periods of stress.
So, as we begin our journey into 2008 it’s time for all of us to think about whether we “work to live” or “live to work”……I think I will take a nap and think about this…..Be well….
[tags] stress, well-being, sleep, anxiety, job burnout, sleeplessness, depression, ken Nowack, Kenneth Nowack, Envisia, Envisia learning, relaxation [/tags]
Ken Nowack
Kenneth Nowack, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist (PSY13758) and President & Chief Research Officer/Co-Founder of Envisia Learning, is a member of the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. Ken also serves as the Associate Editor of Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research. His recent book Clueless: Coaching People Who Just Don’t Get It is available for free for a limited time by signing up for free blog updates (Learn more at our website)
