Work-related stress is an increasingly frequent phenomenon that is increasing in our society, mainly because the types of work have been changing in recent decades. It affects the physical and psychological well-being of the worker and can deteriorate the organizational climate.
Currently, due to the relevance of information in production processes, tasks that traditionally required only muscular strength require mental effort. In addition, the pace of work has been increasing, since with a smaller number of workers better results have to be achieved.
But not always the answers to face the demands have a negative character, since they are often necessary to face difficult situations and for survival. Every person requires moderate levels of stress to respond satisfactorily not only to their own needs or expectations, but also to the demands of the environment and locksmith near me. And very low levels of stress are related to demotivation, conformity and disinterest.
For this reason, a distinction can be made between eustress or positive stress (optimal level of activation to carry out the necessary activities in our daily life) that exerts a protective function of the organism and distress or negative stress (excessive or inadequate activation level of the organism to the demand of the situation) that causes dysfunctions in the person.
How does work stress occur?
Different explanations have been sought for how work stress is generated.
Thus, it has been seen as the result of the interaction between the demands at work and the control that the worker exercises over him. Job stress or high stress arises when job demands are high, and at the same time, the ability to control decision-making (due to lack of resources) is low. In addition, other possible relationships between demands and control are low stress (low demand and high control), active (high demand and high control) and liabilities (low demand and low control).
The interaction between job demands, worker control and social support has also been seen. In such a way that a high level of social support at work reduces the effect of stress, while a low level increases it. Social support is the help that superiors and coworkers can give, when appropriate it can cushion part of the stress generated by the combination of high work demands and low control over work.
What are the consequences of work stress?
Physical
The physical alterations that can be a consequence of the body’s maladaptive response to work-related stressors can be: gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders, endocrine disorders, dermatological disorders, muscular disorders and alterations in the immune system.
Psychic
Among the negative psychological effects produced by work stress are: excessive worry, inability to make decisions, feeling confused, inability to concentrate, difficulty in maintaining attention, feelings of lack of control, feeling of disorientation, frequent forgetfulness, mental blocks, hypersensitivity to criticism, bad mood, increased susceptibility to accidents and the consumption of toxins.
Maintaining these effects can lead to the development of psychological disorders associated with stress. Among the most frequent are: sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, phobias, drug addiction, sexual disorders, depression and other affective disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders and schizophrenic disorders.
Among the signs or external manifestations at the motor and behavioral level would be: rapid speaking, tremors, stuttering, imprecision when speaking, haste when acting, emotional outbursts, broken voice, overeating, lack of appetite, impulsive behaviors, nervous laughter and frequent yawning.
All these consequences deteriorate the quality of interpersonal relationships, both family and work, and can cause the breakdown of these relationships.