Many healthcare workers experience chronic stress as a result of workplace and personal stressors. Supervisors and treatment facilities have an obligation to help staff reduce and manage stress. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare facilities can “[e]ncourage employees to make self-care a priority, keeping consistent daily routines when possible (e.g., try to get adequate sleep, make time for eating healthy meals, and take breaks during work shifts to rest, stretch, or check in with supportive colleagues, coworkers, friends, and family).” The supervisors at Driftwood Recovery understand the importance of supporting staff and provide various forms of assistance to ensure staff experience less stress at work.
Side Effects of Chronic Stress
Unmanaged stress can profoundly affect people’s lives and their ability to function at work. Individuals who experience trauma or chronic stress in the workplace may have a more difficult time finding effective ways to lower stress.
The side effects of chronic stress may include:
- Relationship conflict
- Physical health conditions, including headaches, muscle pain, high blood pressure, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues
- Difficulty maintaining emotional stability
- Significant changes to eating and sleeping patterns
- Increased risk of developing mental health disorders
- Difficulty concentrating
Everyone reacts differently to the symptoms and side effects of stress. According to Future Science OA, “In situations in which the stressor is overwhelming and cannot be resolved, stress becomes chronic.” Healthcare workers protect themselves by addressing problem areas immediately. Exploring healthy solutions for reducing workplace or home stressors supports positive mental health.
Workplace Risk Factors
Some of the most common workplace risk factors for increased stress include:
- Lack of work-life balance
- Unrealistic workplace expectations
- Excessive workload and inflexible scheduling
- Lack of quality time with loved ones due to overworking
- Uncomfortable work environment
- Unclear job responsibilities
- Heading about, witnessing, or experiencing trauma related to clients
- Interpersonal conflict between coworkers
- Limited opportunities for advancement
- Inconsistent, unclear, or ineffective communication
Identifying the factors impacting people’s mental health and stress levels makes it easier for them to develop effective and practical solutions. For example, healthcare professionals who feel underappreciated and overworked may benefit from transferring to a position where they have greater control over their schedule and access to a supportive environment.
4 Ways to Address Chronic Stress
Everyone reacts differently to stress. Below are four methods people use to address chronic stress and improve mental health.
#1. Setting Healthy Boundaries
Developing boundaries is essential at home and work. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Setting boundaries at work and home helps other people understand how to work with you.” In addition, “If someone steps over the line, you need to be able to name the behavior, and say that it isn’t acceptable.”
Not everyone knows how to set clear boundaries. Establishing boundaries at work involves doing the following:
- Defining workplace tasks and responsibilities, setting reasonable limits to protect mental and physical health
- Assertively communicating boundaries with coworkers and supervisors
- Ensuring family, coworkers, and management understand personal and professional limits
- Politely declining additional tasks or responsibilities interfering with a healthy work-life balance
- Avoiding work-related tasks at home and personal responsibilities while at work
- Taking regular breaks throughout the day
- Prioritizing tasks and delegating when appropriate
- Setting realistic goals and deadlines
- Utilizing support networks
- Regularly assessing boundaries and adjusting them as needed
Setting boundaries is an excellent way to reduce stress and improve mental health.
#2. Reducing Stressors at Work
Workplace stressors can come from many sources, including coworkers, supervisors, workplace policies, clients, and client families. Reducing stressors at work helps people avoid exposure to chronic stress. Identifying stressors and developing creative solutions for overcoming them ensures healthcare workers maintain positivity and a healthy work-life balance.
Some examples of how healthcare professionals reduce work stress include:
- Prioritizing self-care every day
- Avoiding excessive tasks and responsibilities
- Practicing self-compassion and patience
Every day brings new challenges, and people protect their mental health by caring for themselves. Healthcare workers cannot provide high-quality and effective care without prioritizing their psychological and physical wellness.
#3. Managing Expectations and Setting Realistic Goals
Everyone has goals they want to achieve in their personal and professional lives. However, some individuals may expect too much from themselves, coworkers, or their careers. Setting realistic expectations reduces stress by making personal and professional goals achievable.
People set achievable goals at work by focusing on the following:
- Specifying goals in exact detail
- Tracking goals using precise measurements
- Ensuring goals are based on current skill level and knowledge
- Making goals relevant to workplace responsibilities
- Setting clear deadlines for achieving goals
- Breaking down large-picture goals into smaller goals
- Celebrating successes and progress in achieving goals
#4. Relying on Friends and Loved Ones to Manage Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can impact how people feel about themselves and others. Relying on loved ones, sharing challenges, and asking for advice or support allows people to manage chronic stress more effectively. Driftwood Recovery staff members know they can rely on their supervisors, coworkers, and peers to help them navigate stressors in the workplace.
Many healthcare professionals experience chronic stress in the workplace, and some may have difficulty managing the various side effects. If left unaddressed, many minor life stressors may add up to cause extreme emotional distress and prolonged mental health issues. Healthcare professionals work in a high-demand environment where they may encounter traumatic or emotionally distressing situations. Pressure to meet unrealistic goals may also increase stress. Setting clear boundaries and achievable goals helps healthcare workers successfully manage stress. Driftwood Recovery ensures all staff have the resources and tools to avoid chronic stress and address issues impacting their mental health. To learn more about our facility, call our office today at (512) 759-8330.