P a g e|1 Essay Stress represents internal force which is generated within a body in response to external action disturbing the body. Stress in professional career, therefore, can be defined as a specific response of human body brought due to demands made upon it(Kofoworola & Alayode, 2012). It does not matter whether the situation faced is adaptation or readjustment to workplace environment, stress reveals the way human body responds to the additional external demands. Scientifically, when a people feel stressed, they release chemicals intheir blood streams which gives energy to some people thatmight be a positive thing for producing more, however, chances of realising physical damage proves dangerous. In simpler words, can be defined as an experience which disrupts professionals physical as well as emotional state. For instance, having too much work load causing them to be overtired or getting involved in an argument with another people resulting in anger and frustration. As Malarvizhi & Jeyarathanam (2016) says, life is intrinsically stressful, that confirms that stress in an integral part of people and at some point, in career, everybody has to face periods of significant stress. In this regard, this essay proposes to discuss and describe causes of stress along with ways through which they can be managed effectively. Workplace stress researchers distinguishes stress factors from strain. Stress factors may involve nature of professional’s job, rewards and interactions made with co-workers. On the other hand, strain can be classified into behavioural reaction like sick or ill due to excessive drinking and smoking, physical reactions like heart disease or headache and psychological reaction like anger or anxiety. Different people vary in their capabilities to cope with stress along with reacting in different manner. For instance, when they are assigned to difficult work, one person may like to work more to complete the job successfully, whereas the other one might call in unwell(Pignata, Boyd, Winefield, & Provis, 2017). Putting succinctly, stress in professional career involves a process in which a person reacts to
P a g e|2 workplace environment. Furthermore, types of stress depend on its impacts over performance, body and mind. Panigrahi (2016) has categorised stress into two types: Eu-stress which is just a reasonable level of stress that can be taken by an individual. This kind of stress may result in positive effect and create passion for work. Eu-stress also has potentiality that can provoke hidden capabilities and talent within people along with inspiring them to take upon new challenges. This stress, therefore can result in bringing successes to professional career. Second kind of stress discussed by author is distress that results due to excessive amount of workload. This kind of stress may prove harmful for individuals and hence causes negative impacts on career management. Such stress effectively causes depression and physical diseases like heart attack and blood pressure disturbances. Basic stress in human beings’ career are perceived by events that cause disruptions in day to day life. Most likely, the disruption caused will affect emotional reaction like getting angry or rude being asked to take upon unfamiliar task. This emotional response can further get accompanied by physical alterations within ones’ body like working overtime causing stomach issues or headache. Finally, individuals take actions that might be constructive like seeking assistance from superior authority or destructive like insulting and being rude to other people. There are two major factors that causes stress in people: physical stress (causing due to fear of somewhat perilous) and emotional (worry about job or family)(Panigrahi, 2016). Hunnur, Bagali & Sudarshan (2014) identified causes of stress. First one being survival stress which is a natural response for dangers seen and when one is fearful of something or someone hurting emotionally or physically. This further responds with an explosion of burst of energy that can help person in surviving the intense situation or escape
P a g e|3 the same all together. Second is internal stress that are most common form of stresses that are easily detectable and can be managed easily. Internal stress is caused when people make themselves stressful while worrying too much about those things that remains uncontrollable or putting in situations that will surely bring stress in future(Pignata, Boyd, Winefield, & Provis, 2017). However, there are people who relish the hurriedness and tensed lifestyle that are caused due to being under stress. In fact, such people yearn for stressful events to take stress for things which are not evenstressful for them. Environmental stress is another cause described by the authors that is caused majorly due to environmental concerns like noise, pressure from family or employers, crowding etc. The environmental stress identification and understanding ways through which they can be avoided or dealt with can effectively help reduce person’s stress level easily. Stress caused due to fatigue and overwork builds up because of working for long hours that can take heavy toll on physical and mental status of individual’s body. It can be generated through hard working or taking too much workload in job, home or learning institute or due to not inability to manage time effectively thereby lacking relaxation and rest times in daily routine(Prasad, Vaidya , & Kumar, 2015). Interpersonal conflicts are one term which is discussed exclusively by researchers while discussing stressful incidents at workplace, impacting careers of individuals sternly. Kushwaha (2014) says that getting along with supervisors, co-workers and others present in workplace is a significant aspect of well-being. People working at their career development phase spend critical amount of time at workplace and thus, getting along peacefully is very important. People who find themselves isolated and in conflicts with others, facing abusive and nasty acts experiences more emotional stress like sadness and anxiety where in some cases these results in extreme situations also(Ahmed & Ramzan, 2013). Conflicts with employers are particularly most stressing as they have control over more than other in
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P a g e|4 individuals’ career. Furthermore, ignoring or avoiding employer and supervisors can result in unpleasant encounters and probably experience retaliation by them. Organisational constraints further add to the workplace stress that interferes with individual’s ability to perform the task. This includes insufficient resources like missing information, inadequate training or lack of time. It is certain that most of the people wish performing in their best manner, and any condition that hampers their goal results in bringing stress(Kushwaha, 2014). Role conflict and role ambiguity are another cause of stresses and most of the researchers makes a combined study of both of them in literature. Role ambiguity can be due to lack of clearness seen in individual guidelines at workplace. However, this situation may not seem to be common cause, particularly at supervisory or professional level who are given vague directions about responsibilities that needs to be considered(Bhui, Dinos, Miecznikowska, Jongh, & Stansfeld, 2016). Role conflict, on the other hand includes causes through which arise in conflicts pertaining responsibilities and work can be seen in workplaces. While some conflicts may cause due to incompatible demands by employers, other conflicts can take place due to incompatible demands of more than two people other than employers. For instance, one supervisor asks to complete a job by the end of the day while the other one also asks to complete another work within same time period. Family and work conflicts cause can be identified when discordant demands occur between non-work- and work-related situations. Such stress causes due to increased family pressure on professional career that may result in family/work conflict(Ram, Khoso, Shah, Chandio, & Shaikih, 2011). Managing oneself is the best way that can lead a person towards successful career. Psychologists have identified different approaches through which people can cope with stress. Firstly, they need to decide upon whether to suffer or show denial for experiencing
P a g e|5 stress. Alternatively, one may choose to face proper solutions or reality to it(Sahoo, 2016). Nevertheless, instead of tranquilising or taking stimuli to eliminate stress, individuals needs to learn better ways that can avoid them from being stressed or at least diminish its damaging effects.Kofoworola & Alayode (2012) suggest ways through which one can manage stress efficiently along with managing work activities that can significantly reduce negative impacts of stress. Mental training is the first term used in psychological techniques that induces relaxation along with increasing confidence level in oneself. Such training may include techniques like visualisation, mental imagery etc. through which one can overcome mental stress in situations and consider avoiding them. However, many professionals are unable to do so due to their work requirements and thus physical activity is more suggestable for them. Pignata, Boyd, Winefield & Provis (2017) cited that humans are designed to move like automobiles at times and if they do not move, they tend to become rustier and stiffer. Indeed, people who shows involvement with physical activities along with enhanced friendships tends to report less depressions and minor physical stress unlike the ones who do not participate in the either. In fact, studies made by authors reveal that comprehensive work- based leisure-time can result in good health and positive behavioural changes. Discussing one’s feelings is another great way that can help eliminate stress from people’s life. By sharing thought with family members or friends may result in understanding self-feelings from others perspectives and can aid in bringing significant self-changes required from within. Other than this, rest and relaxation along with sleeping for enabling proper sleep functions provides number of significant psychological functions as cognitive theory suggests that they play vital role in memorising, learning and enabling positive relationships (Malarvizhi & Jeyarathnam, 2016). The prevention of stress in a person’s career is as significant as managing work activities that can help in minimising negative impacts of stress on oneself and on work
P a g e|6 productivity. Jain & Batra (2015) recommends ways through which individuals can manage work activities in today’s competitive environment. The author pinpoints, “stress is not a negative phenomenon” (p. 14), however, needs to be managed effectively by reducing commitments since commitments made by individuals has significant relationship with reduced turnover, performance and absenteeism rate. From employee’s perspective, committing oneself to perform a task builds positive relationship with the organisation and probably add meaning to life like satisfaction and self-worth. However, over commitments made, whether to work more or work upon several projects at a single time can create tension and anxiety. Therefore, Ahmed & Ramzan (2013) suggest that prioritising work activity is very crucial for avoiding stressful circumstances. Taking professional advices occasionally can also help in managing stressful activities. In professional career, there are times when individuals have to undertake tasks that may prove discouraging or difficult due to which it becomes out of control. Best thing that can be done here is taking professional assistance that will help in reducing negative symptoms as well as reduction of everyday stress. Developing a heart of gratitude shows how one expresses gratitude to others for helping or giving their significant time during needful times(Panigrahi, 2016). Gratitude act as a powerful tool to break down the resistance wall. It also develops into a transformational tool through which individuals shifts into more emotional state and increased self-esteem. Lastly, delegation of responsibility can significantly reduce negative impacts of stress if the person is capable enough to think what is beneficial in long run. The need to perform every activity by self is not necessary all the time for gaining kind of appreciation. In fact, if others can take care of things, why not let things happen in that manner? However, being careful is also suggested by Prasad, Vaidya & Kumar (2015) as shifting responsibility every time may further develop issues in performance and hence needs to be managed strategically(Hunnur, Bagali, & Sudarshan, 2014).
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P a g e|7 Reviews made on current literature pertaining stress among individuals indicates that stress has caused major issues in development and growth of professional career. Therefore, knowing causes behind stress, its symptoms and strategies for eliminating it becomes very significant so that one can adopt appropriate steps to alleviate negative impacts of stress. The above essay recognised that stress have become an integral part of workplace individuals. Common stress causes which impacts one’s activities are work overload, time management issues, family and role conflicts along with other psychological and behavioural factors. The above essay revealed different ways through which one people can manage one self as well as work activities to maintain healthy atmosphere along with minimising negative impacts of stress. On concluding note, it can be said that although stress cannot get eliminated completely, it must be accepted up to a certain level so that professional career and personal health of any person is not affected adversely.
P a g e|8 References Ahmed, A., & Ramzan, M. (2013). Effects of Job Stress on Employees Job Performance A Study on Banking Sector of Pakistan.Journal of Business and Management, 11(06), 61-68. Bhui, K., Dinos, S., Miecznikowska, M. G., Jongh, B. d., & Stansfeld, S. (2016). Perceptions of work stress causes and effective interventions in employees working in public, private and non-governmental organisations: a qualitative study.BJPsych Bulletin, 40, 318-325. Hunnur, R., Bagali, M. M., & Sudarshan, S. (2014). Workplace Stress – Causes of Work Place Stress in Police Department: A Proposal for Stress Free Workplace.Journal of Business and Management, 16(03), 39-47. Jain, P., & Batra, A. (2015). Occupational Stress at Workplace: Study of the Corporate Sector in India.Journal of Business and Management, 17(01), 13-21. Kofoworola, O. H., & Alayode, A. M. (2012). Strategies for Managing Stress for Optimal Job Performance.International Journal of Psychological Studies, 04(02), 162-168. Kushwaha, S. (2014). Stress Management At Workplace.Global Journal of Finance and Management, 06(05), 469-472. Malarvizhi, V. R., & Jeyarathnam, M. (2016). Stress and Coping Techniques among Employees of Sugar Mills in Tamilnadu.Amity Journal of Training and Development, 01(01), 58-76.
P a g e|9 Panigrahi, A. (2016). Managing stress at workplace.Journal of Management Research and Analysis, 03(04), 154-160. Pignata, S., Boyd, C. M., Winefield, A. H., & Provis, C. (2017). Interventions: Employees’ Perceptions of What Reduces Stress.BioMed Research International, 2017, 1-12. Prasad, K., Vaidya , R., & Kumar, V. A. (2015). A Study on Causes of Stress among the Employees and Its Effect on the Employee Performance at the Workplace in an International Agricultural Research Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.European Journal of Business and Management, 07(25), 61-71. Ram, N., Khoso, I., Shah, A. A., Chandio, F. R., & Shaikih, F. M. (2011). Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity as Factors in Work Stress among Managers: A Case Study of Manufacturing Sector in Pakistan.Asian Social Science, 07(02), 113-118. Sahoo, S. R. (2016). Management of Stress at Workplace.Global Journal of Management and Business Research: A Administration and Management, 16(06), 1-8.