Stress Down Day -  04 February 2011

Today, Friday 4th February, is significant for two reasons.  Firstly it is World Cancer Day and secondly it is Stress Down Day. 

Stress Down Day has been organised by the Samaritans as a campaign to raise awareness of the effects of stress in the workplace and to encourage people to take better care of their emotional well-being. 

What Is Stress?
Information from the NHS Choices, explains that stress is a feeling we experience when we are under pressure.
When we encounter a situation that makes us feel uncomfortable, our body releases hormones (chemicals) that cause the physical symptoms of stress.  
What may cause stress for one person may differ for another, however, common causes for stress maybe brought on by, job issues, financial concerns, bereavement, relationship and family problems.   
Although some stress can be viewed as having a positive impact, such as increasing productivity and motivation, too much stress can have adverse effects and be unhealthy for the body and mind.  
Statistical data from the Labour Force Survey showed that during 2008 and 2009 an estimated 415,000 people in Britain experienced work related stress at a level that was making them ill and a quarter of all adults will have a mental health problem.

Why Stress Is Detrimental For Our Well-Being:
Stress can adversely affect us mentally and physically.  Some of the mental symptoms, that affect our mind include, anger, depression, anxiety as well as difficulty in sleeping, loss of appetite, feeling tired and frequent crying.  Physical symptoms, which affect the body may include, chest pains, dizziness, nervous twitches, sweating more and feeling nervous as well as muscle aches, headaches and loss of sexual desire.  
When we experience these symptoms for long periods, it can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) which lead to heart attacks and strokes.   

How To Handle Stress - Prevention!  
Understanding what leads to stress may help us in preventing it.  The NHS Choices website, offer some useful techniques to deal with stress.
1. Take deep breaths - This will remove the older oxygen from your lungs and replace it with fresh oxygen, improving your circulation.
2. Eat healthily - Eating good food at regular intervals provides a steady release of energy which positively affects our mood and concentration.
3. Exercise - Releases a chemical known as serotonin, which makes us feel happier and less stressed.  
4. Sleep - Seek medical advice if sleeping pattern is disturbed as a good nights sleep in vital for our well-being
5. Quit Smoking - It is a myth that smoking helps combat stress, in actual fact it adds to stress by harming our body.  
6. Relax - Stress leads to a tightening of the muscles, causing aches and pains.  Experts recommend shrugging your shoulders to loosen muscles, or imagining a peaceful place to help relax our mind.   Alternatively, doing something we enjoy, reading, writing, listening to music or talking with friends can also help.

Last year, 24.6 million working days were lost due to work-related illness, therefore, keeping our workforce healthy and in good mental health, is imperative for any organization.   

The RSPH Training Solutions offers a course on Mental Health First Aid in the workplace. The course focuses on the personal impact of poor mental health, and on the importance of appreciating good mental health, for both ourselves and others.  For further information on this, please click here or contact Nicolette Smith nsmith@rsph.org.uk

Pressure At Work Can Increase Risk Of Heart  Problems for Women

Previously cardiovascular disease and stress in the workplace has been centred around men's health.  However, in a study examining the health of women,  researchers found that women who reported high job strain, were forty percent more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and excess body weight.

Job strain, a form of psychological stress, is defined as having a demanding job, with little to no decision-making authority or opportunities to use one’s creative or individual skills.  Job insecurity, fear of loosing ones job, was also a factor leading to stress in the workplace.

Researchers from the Women's Health Study, analyzed job strain in 17,415 healthy women over a 10 year period.  The women were primarily Caucasian, with an average age of 57 and provided relevant information about heart disease, job strain and job insecurity.  The  findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2010. 

   

The study discovered that the 40 percent higher risks for women who reported high job strain included heart attacks, ischemic strokes, coronary artery bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty and death. The increased risk of heart attack was about 88 percent, while the risk of bypass surgery or invasive procedure was about 43 percent.

Natalie Slopen, Sc.D., lead researcher and a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard University Center on the Developing Child in Boston, noted that; “Women in jobs characterized by high demands and low control, as well as jobs with high demands but a high sense of control are at higher risk for heart disease long term,” 

As such, from a public health perspective, it is vital for employers to monitor perceived employee job strain and initiate programs to alleviate and manage stress, in order prevent ill health in the workplace. 

The RSPH Training Solutions offers a course on Mental Health First Aid in the workplace. The course focuses on the personal impact of poor mental health, and on the importance of appreciating good mental health, for both ourselves and others.  For further information on this, please click here or contact Nicolette Smith nsmith@rsph.org.uk