Mental Health Matters:

Dealing with Stress at Work

What is stress ?

Stress describes feelings we get when we have difficulty meeting all the physical and emotional demands life makes on us. At work it could be because a task is either too great or not challenging enough. A little stress can be useful in making us extra alert. Too much stress can affect our ability to do everyday things and can lead to headaches, insomnia, depression, anxiety, tiredness, irritability, overeating or drinking, over-sensitivity and lack of concentration.

What causes stress at work ?

MIND conducted a survey in 1992 of causes of stress. They were -

• pressure to perform and maintain quality
• recession and fear of redundancy
• change / pace of change
• increased workload due to reductions in staff
• excessive hours
• other personal problems eg relationships, child care, finances also contribute towards stress

What you can do about stress

Manage your time and your work

• talk to your line manager. If they don't respond, talk to the personnel officer or your trade union representative.
• make sure your workload is not too big and your job description realistic. Try to re-negotiate it if it isn't.
• organise your work by drawing up realistic goals and time schedules.
• ask for regular supervision sessions with your manager to get feedback and air problems and ask for training if you need it
• try not to take work home or do unpaid overtime

Make your work environment right

• make it as comfortable as possible, with a suitable temperature and not too noisy
• try to get adequate equipment to do your job
• check if all health and safety standards are being met
• you have a right to work free from harassment or discrimination

Look after yourself

• take less caffeine in tea and coffee especially before sleep
• get enough sleep and learn to relax . There are various relaxation
• techniques you can learn by joining a class or borrowing a tape or
• book from the library. Contact MIND for more information.
• take regular physical exercise for 20-30 minutes 2 or 3 times a week for example walking, cycling, swimming, aerobics
• eat healthily and sensibly eg plenty of fibre, lots of fruit and vegetables,
• white meat and fish, less fatty and sugary foods
• don't drink, smoke or take drugs to excess
• consider holistic health options eg acupuncture, homeopathy, herbalism, massage. They work for some people but are not available on the
• N.H.S. and have to be paid for.

Talk to someone

• discuss your work situation with someone close, either connected with work or outside of it
• check if there are any support groups where people with similar jobs
• share problems and support each other
• check if your employer provides stress at work counselling. Some big employers - for example - Manchester City Council do

How Mind in Manchester can help.

Contact the Information service on

0161 272 8205

The Information service provides information about mental health services and groups in Manchester over the telephone and in writing via letter, fax and email. The Information service is generally staffed during the daytime. An answer machine is available at all times and we will endeavour to return your call within 48 hours.

Write to us at:

Unit 25,
The Progress Centre,
Charlton Place,
Ardwick Green
Manchester
M12 6HS

Email us at:
info@mind-in-manchester.org.uk