Stress

Helping you to deal with work-related stress or pressure.

About stress

Feeling stressed is your body’s way of letting you know you’re under pressure or overwhelmed, so it’s very common in both work and everyday life.

It can begin to affect your physical and mental health and can be referred to as ‘acute’ or ‘chronic’ stress.

Stress will often be experienced along with anxiety – and can cause depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder.

Symptoms of stress can include racing thoughts, difficulty switching off and having a lack of interest in daily activities. You might also notice changes to your physical wellbeing with headaches, aches and pains.

Managing stress at work

While a little stress can help you to stay motivated and focused at work, it can be a problem if it lasts too long or is too intense.

Stress at work can be caused by excessive workload, unrealistic targets and lack of control or support. In other cases, you might be experiencing personality clashes or bullying.

Changes in your work life might bring stress about paying bills or looking after children, making you feel even more pressure.

According to Deloitte’s 2022 UK Mental Health Report, 50% of employees have experienced at least one characteristic of burnout due to job demands and expectations, lack of social interaction and lack of boundaries between work and home life*.

In these cases, you might want to:

Reach out to a trusted colleague to discuss your concerns
Think about agreeing a realistic workload with your manager
Ask for more training or planning time
Consider flexibility in working hours, if possible.

Stress-busting techniques

Important tips	Ideas for you to try
Make time for yourself	Plan some “me time” in your diary a few times a week, so you’re more likely to take time out.
Get active	Exercise and time spent outdoors are great for clearing your thoughts and getting into a calmer headspace.
Spend time with people who make you feel good	If you feel up to it, spend time with family or friends – to talk things over or to just relax and enjoy yourself.
Focus on what you can control	Accept that you may not be able to change a tricky situation but focus on the positive things you can do.
Be mindful	Try keeping a gratitude journal, writing down three things you are grateful for each day. For more impact, find a friend to do it with.