12 DIVERSEability Magazine www.diverseabilitymagazine.com
CAREERS
7 Ways to Deal with Work Stress
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o matter what industry youre in or what position you hold, every job comes with its fair share of stresses. Stress occurs when you feel like the demands placed on you - such as work, school or relationships - ex- ceed your ability to cope. It can be a reac- tion to a short-lived situation, such as being late for a meeting, or it can last a long time if youre dealing with a home life situation, money problems or other serious situations while trying to keep up to date with your work. While some stress can be beneficial, such as stress that motivates you to perform well in some areas, long-term, untreated stress is linked to serious health concerns, including depression, heart disease, obesity and a weak- ened immune system. Since 2007, the American Psychological Associations annual Stress in America survey has found that women consistently report higher stress levels than men. We dont know whether this is because women often have more demands on them than men, such as fre- quently taking on more family responsibilities or because women experience stress different- ly. But it's clear that if we don't find better ways to manage our stress, chronic stress can have physical and emotional consequences. Stress can cause irritability and sleep is- sues, changes in appetite, headaches, stom- achaches, intestinal problems, nervousness and excessive worry, sadness and depression. It can also negatively influence a woman's ability to get pregnant, the health of her preg- nancy and how she adjusts after giving birth. Stress can similarly affect menstruation, re- duce sexual desire and worsen premenstrual symptoms. For anyone juggling many responsibilities, it might seem challenging to find time to man- age stress adequately. People with high stress levels may try to manage their stress in un- healthy ways, such as over- or under-eating, drinking alcohol or lying around the house. The good news is there are effective ways to manage stress and keep our mental health in check. Here are seven smart ways to care for your mental health:
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