Stress In The Workplace

"Pressure Valves: Finding ways to handle stress can keep employees happy and productive"
By Mike Stobbe

Studies show that work-related stress is a big problem. About 30 percent of U.S. workers feel extremely stressed at work, according to a Yale University study. About 75 percent of workers feel the typical worker has more on-the-job stress than a generation ago, according to another study, by Princeton Survey Research Associates.

Stress can cause workers to lose their concentration and decrease performance, making a bad situation worse. And long-term exposure to stress can harm an employee's health. Entire medical conferences have been held on the link between job-related stress and health problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

So what can you do about stress?
Some workers have other stress-relief measures. Yoga, deep-breathing exercises and visualization of relaxing or humorous scenarios can be a big help, said Ellyn Kirschner, a Charlotte consultant who helps employees with stress and morale.

The San Diego Union Tribune Business Section C
Monday October 22, 2001 [an error occurred while processing this directive]