Workers who experience stress can often see it as being part of their job, and be reluctant to take time out of their busy diaries to indulge in a little rest and relaxation.
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is supporting The Samaritans’ Stress Down Day tomorrow (February 5) by sharing tips on coping with stress at work.
The Health and Safety Executive’s latest Labour Force Survey revealed 24.6 million working days were lost through illness in 2008/9. Nearly half of these (11.2 million) were due to stress, anxiety or depression - the single biggest cause of sickness in the workplace.
Sue Turner, chief executive of BSMHFT, said: “Stress in the workplace can lead to real difficulties if the early signs aren’t recognised, such as poor productivity and inflated sickness levels.
“It’s important to talk through any issues or pressures you may feel, either with colleagues or your manager, so they can offer help if needed.”
Our Trust’s tips for beating stress and improving an individual’s mental health include:
- Keep active and take regular physical exercise
- Talk to someone about how you are feeling
- Keep in touch with friends and family
- Take a break and relax – don’t try and do too much at once
- Ask for help if you need it.
The Samaritans’ 24-hour hotline receives a call every six seconds from callers in need of emotional support, with many calls on work and financial worries during this recession.
Physically signs of stress are sleeplessness, loss of appetite, panic attacks, difficulty breathing, low energy and concentration, and loss of interest in people and things around you.
For more information about Stress Down Day visit the website www.stressdownday.org
