Workplace Stress and Job Stress - Staying Healthy In A Stressful World

Managing Stress is one of the most critical health issues of our time. We are bombarded by pressure to perform well in our jobs, to meet our financial responsibilities, to spend more quality time with our families. And now, in this post-September 11th Era we worry about our very safety and the safety of our loved ones.

There is a price we pay for living in a state of constant stress. A recent study noted, that 80 to 85 percent of all visits to primary care physicians, are stress related. Medical journals are publishing a growing number of articles linking stress with virtually every physical illness. Although stress at your job or in the workplace may not be the sole cause of an illness, it is almost always a major contributing factor.

Many of us have recognized that stress is a serious problem and started looking for ways to help relief stress, stress from home life, workplace stress or office stress such as that from our jobs. We go for regular check ups. We try to exercise and improve our diets. We take herbs and vitamins. These efforts, while useful, are primarily focused on our physical well-being. But despite our efforts, we continue to be plagued by high degrees of stress, and increasingly high rates of serious physical illnesses. Why is this so? Because we have forgotten, the age-old wisdom, linking the integrity of the body, to the workings of the mind.

The father of modern Western medicine, Hypocrites said, “I would rather know what sort of a man has a disease, than what sort of a disease a man has.” He understood that our inner lives- our thoughts and emotions, play as much of a role in our well-being, as our physical state or symptoms.

Modern research in the field of mind-body medicine and therapy confirms findings of this ancient master.

Stanford University researchers conducted a study of 1035 heart attack patients. 95% of the patients reported of having gone through a particularly stressful experience prior to their heart attack, experiencing stress in the workplace or job stress. All patients were divided into three groups. One group, was simply examined by a physician; the other was examined by a physician and advised on diet and exercise.

The third group, in addition to receiving the aforementioned, was taught how to change their attitudes and behavior. After five years, the findings showed that this last group had 1/3 recurring heart attacks as did the “diet and exercise” group, and 1 /4 recurring heart attacks than those who just saw a physician.

What this study demonstrated, is, that 3 out of 4 people, could have avoided having a heart attack if they had learned how to change their attitudes and behavior with mind body therapy.

Here are some tips for working on your attitude and behavior:

Avoid judging yourself and others as much as possible. Judgment leads to stress and bodily break-down.

Set realistic expectations for yourself. Workplace stress (job stress) is often caused by unrealistic expectations which lead to disappointment and feelings of failure.

Find constructive outlets for pent-up, negative emotions. For example, when in distress do the following: Close your eyes. In your mind’s eye, see and enter the stress stressful situation. Know that anything is possible and find your way to triumph.

Lastly, recognize that change is a gentle process. Be patient with yourself in this journey.

This article was written by Dr. Peter S. Reznik, Ph.D.

Get My Name Down Article Site: http://getmynamedown.com

mind body therapy Workplace Stress Managing Stress

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