What Is Occupational Stress?

Occupational stress is the result of the combination of these three categories: stress at work, individual characteristics and extra-organizational stressors. Just below are what makes up each of these three categories.

Sources of Stress at Work

Various stresses from the workplace itself:

• coworkers
• inside the workplace
• physical dangers of the job
• lack of job security
• lack of career development opportunities

Individual Characteristics

How each individual handles situations:

• the persons original level of anxiety
• tolerance for lack of direction

Extra-organizational Stressors

Any stress caused from outside of the workplace:

• financial difficulties
• personal life

How the Workplace Contributes to Occupational Stress

"Work-related stress can be caused by poor work organization by poor work design, poor management, unsatisfactory working conditions, and lack of support from colleagues and supervisors. Research findings show that the most stressful type of work is that which values excessive demands and pressures that are not matched to workers’ knowledge and abilities, where there is little opportunity to exercise any choice or control, and where there is little support from others." - WHO website.

In summary, employees would be less likely to experience workplace stress if:

• the demands and pressures of their work were matched to their knowledge and abilities
• they had control over their work and the way they do it
• support is received from supervisors and colleagues
• they get to participate in decisions that concern their jobs

According to CDC - Stress at Work

• 1 in 3 workers reports being chronically stressed on the job
• younger workers are more likely to report mental health problems, and report experiencing stress and physical symptoms during the workday

Inspirational Quotes to Help Inspire you to Take Care of Yourself:

Health is a relationship between you and your body" - Terri Guillemets

"Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot." - Dutch Proverb

"Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it." -Josh Billings

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Work Cited

“50 Best Quotes About Health & Nutrition.” Dr. Group's Healthy Living Articles, 25 Sept. 2013, www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/quotes-about-health/.

“CDC - Stress at Work - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/stress/.

“Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis.” Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers, www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2008.0495.