Dealing with Workplace Stress
When it comes to public health issues, stress is one of our most challenging obstacles, with 7% of UK adults feeling stressed on a daily basis. Stress can often act as the catalyst for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression as well as physical health problems including heart disease and insomnia.
At times, feeling stressed at work can have a beneficial impact on our minds and bodies, as it can often help increase our attention and work output. However, for many people, workplace stress has a negative effect on both their physical and mental health, often leading to damaging long-term effects. In Bupa’s recent review of work-related stress, they identified that more than 800,000 people in the UK suffer from workplace stress, anxiety or depression, which equates to 1 in 40 workers.
For many, it can be difficult to admit that they are experiencing work-related stress, which is why it is crucial for people to reach out and seek support in dealing with workplace stress. UK non-profit organisation, The Stress Management Society, originated in 2003 to help individuals and organisations recognise and manage stress, launching campaigns to support people across the UK throughout Stress Awareness Month.
Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month was established in 1992 and has since been held every year throughout the month of April. The yearly campaign aims to raise awareness around the causes of stress and how to combat its often-harmful effects. The theme this year is #ActNow, with ACT standing for Action Changes Things. This year’s Stress Awareness Month theme is aimed at supporting people to have open conversations about how they are feeling, as evidence proves that simply talking about stress can help reduce its impact significantly. You can read more about the theme of this year’s Stress Awareness Month here.
Preventing Workplace Stress
At PG paper, we care a great deal about the health and well-being of our employees. Our co-founder, Puneet Gupta OBE, was recently made a patron of the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity ‘Combat Stress’, and last year, we partnered with local mental health charity ‘Mind Mosaic’, which aims to provide high-quality therapeutic services across the local community and beyond.
Effective management of your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical well-being. That’s why we have several mental well-being ambassadors across our team who employees can go to for advice, support or even just a chat. Visit Mind Mosaic’s website to learn about the important work they do for our local community.
There are many things you can do to successfully manage your mental health at work. Some of the best methods for keeping your stress levels at bay include:
- Take care of your physical health by exercising
- Talk to a trusted colleague, friend or family member
- Give yourself breaks/time off
- Separate your personal life from your work
These are just some of the things you can do if you’re feeling down or stressed at work. For more helpful ideas, we asked our Marketing team how they best deal with the effects of workplace stress.
“I find the best way to de-stress is to exercise, in particular, going a run outside. Listening to music or a good podcast and getting some fresh air is really helpful. I also love catching up with family and friends, whether that’s for a walk, quick chat or social activity, speaking to them always helps.”
Holly Stinson
Marketing Manager
“Not only does running help keep me fit, it’s also the best way for me to switch off and de-stress. Getting out for some fresh air whilst listening to a podcast or some music is an effective way of taking my mind away from whatever may be bothering me – I always feel much better afterwards!”
Alistair Carmichael
Marketing Executive
“When I feel stressed, I often find peace of mind and relief by listening to music and singing out loud. Having a reserved personality, I mostly tend to spend some quiet time alone, taking a walk-in nature and unplugging from social media and the internet as a whole. After a particularly stressful day, nothing beats a good night’s sleep too!”
Martina Secchi
Marketing Assistant