GS Aviation Consulting Inc.
Hello everyone! Today we’re going to share a podcast regarding Work-Related Stress. It’s just 5 minutes long but it will greatly expand your knowledge of just how serious stress is, and how avoiding it in your workplace is a major factor to having a successful company. Few people realize how serious stress really is, and how it can affect just about anyone on a daily basis. It’s important to go to great lengths to avoid stress – more and more studies are being performed, and the results make it crucial for us to avoid getting “stressed out” at all costs.
How stress can harm your Company:
- Increases employee absence
- Tardiness
- High staff turnover
- Reduced productivity
- Product and service quality goes down
- Increased compensation costs
How stress can harm your Health:
- Back pain,
- Heart pain,
- Stomach ulcers
- Hypertension,
- Weakened immune system (leads to constant colds, flus and infections)
- Insomnia,
- Headaches and migraines
How stress can harm your mind:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Inability to focus and concentrate
- Poor judgement
- Pessimism
Especially in the Aviation Industry, these symptoms are tremendously serious and can lead to some serious incidents. These symptoms should not be disregarded as they can have long term negative effects on an individual. People tend to cope with stress by increasing their smoking habit, taking antidepressants, consuming alcohol more frequently, and taking sleeping pills. It becomes apparent the further you investigate stress in the workplace that people are ashamed and do not admit to stress being a reason for their issues/ sickness/ lethargy.
Two things that I personally find beneficial to avoid stress in the workplace is to just smile, even if I’m unhappy, or not in the mood that day – smile – because maybe your co-worker who is feeling down, catches your eye and sees your smile. Believe me, you just changed their day for the better. The other, is (as hard as can be in the workplace…) NO SHOP TALK! It’s enticing to talk about work all the time (especially in the Aviation Industry, right?) but talking to someone about their upcoming trip to France, or their game of golf on the weekend, will take your mind far away from the fact that you’re at work. Taking those breaks and some “me” time at work is also important. If you’re busy talking to someone on the phone all day, on your break go for a 10 minute walk and clear your mind (smile as you walk!). The endorphins you acquire from that stroll will leave you feeling great for the rest of your work day.
So whether you’re a boss, an employee or even a co-worker who sees these symptoms in another, acknowledge them, and know that there are ways to end work-related stress. Talk about it openly and non-judgmentally as it is not a weakness, but instead needs to be thought of as an infection.
We hope this helps to make your workplace a stress-free and positive environment for yourself and your co-workers/employees.
Thanks for reading,
– From The GSAC Team