You probably already know that work is a major contributor to stress levels. If you’re like 83% of US workers, you’re all-too familiar with workplace stress and its impact on daily life.
Workplace stress is increasingly common. Today, one in four people find their jobs to be the number one stressor impacting their health. Even if they love what they do, half of all employees report that they cannot manage workplace stress by themselves.
I find that many people brush off or even ignore the current ‘stress status quo.’ While a little stress isn’t a bad thing, long-term strain may lead to serious damage – not the least of which is poor heart health.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to eliminate workplace stress completely, but finding new coping mechanisms is critical for sustained metabolic health. Familiarizing yourself with risk factors and steps to minimize or eliminate them may lead to better productivity and greater job satisfaction, letting you live life to the fullest in more ways than one.
How workplace health effects employee heart health
Stress and the heart are strongly interlinked, primarily due to the hormone cortisol.
Put simply, this chemical is used to regulate the body’s use of nutrients. Your heart rate may rise, your blood pressure may increase, and your body may regulate ‘unnecessary’ functions such as reproduction and growth triggers.
Any job is likely to spike cortisol levels from time to time. Pressing deadlines, issues with coworkers, and general job security will influence its rise and fall. In short bursts, stress is nothing to be concerned about.
But when stress levels remain high and constant, the body may begin to experience some concerning symptoms. Not only is your heart placed under significant pressure, but many factors contributing to metabolic health are kicked out of line, including:
- Rapid or unexpected weight gain
- Elevated blood pressure levels
- Type 2 diabetes from high blood sugar
These days, workplace stress has compounded to astronomical levels. In less than thirty years, career stress has risen by 30%. Recent studies report that workplace stress has the same impact on cardiovascular disease risk as smoking, contributing greatly to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Needless to say, it’s critical to manage workplace stress as early as possible to prevent stress from inducing long-term damage.
Managing workplace stress
If you’re an employer, I’d recommend finding ways to encourage healthy habits in a professional environment.
- Promote physical activity, healthy eating, and provide opportunities for socialization.
- Foster a supportive work environment with an open-door policy of communication to stop stress from festering for too long.
- Implement company-wide stress management policies, including mental health days and metabolic health coaching, to let employees know you’re invested in their well-being.
If you’re an employee, take steps toward personal wellness by developing healthy coping mechanisms:
- Address stress factors right away. Send emails, make phone calls, and do whatever you need to remove the stress ASAP.
- Focus on communication with coworkers and supervisors. Make your concerns known rather than worrying about them alone.
- Start or join an employee wellness program. These are great for holding you accountable to better habits, offering community with others who may be experiencing similar stressors.
Workplace stress isn’t something you can solve overnight. But you can look for sustainable solutions – and Stay Off My Operating Table in the process.
Workplace heart disease prevention
Stress isn’t the only contributor to heart disease in the workplace. If you work in a sedentary environment or a less active field, you may have higher risk factors than other members in your peer group.
But this doesn’t necessarily doom you to a greater risk of heart disease. It’s very possible to work desk jobs yet still maintain healthy metabolic markers.
Other than stress management, here are a few other activities that reduce your risks of heart disease in the workplace:
- Start an exercise routine, meditate, or take some time for yourself every day to do things you love.
- Nourish your body with whole, nutrient-rich foods to keep energy levels up and support your adrenal system.
- Explore your stress levels using tools like my Heart Wellness Calculator, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from a metabolic health coach if needed.
Above all, never allow work to eclipse your personal well-being and happiness. Remember – jobs should never get in the way of improving your metabolic health. If your workplace stress is that significant, you may want to consider a career change or a reevaluation of daily tasks.
Everyone is responsible for workplace stress management
Workplace stress is a complicated issue, and not one that is solely delegated to a singular party. It’s important that employees and employers alike do what they can to reduce stress before it reaches critical mass.
Partnering with a metabolic health coach is an excellent way to address workplace stress on all levels. By highlighting the importance of heart health along with actionable steps, I’ve seen major metabolic changes take root and prosper.
Note that the impact of health coaching is more than just sentimental. Today, 60% of employees say corporate wellness programs have reduced their healthcare costs – a number that affects virtually everyone at your company.
Workplace stress management begins with mindful awareness, including SMART goals developed alongside a seasoned professional. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to schedule a business coaching class, or chat with me one-on-one to discuss solutions for your workplace stress.