Stress Factors and Stress-Related Illnesses - Essay Example

Review Introduction Job stress is an enormous problem affecting many individuals around the globe as it influences both the well-being and health of employees. Work-related stress results where work demands of combinations and various types exceed the employee’s capacity and capability to manage. Mental distress has been on the rise as the modern life pace has quickened. Hypertension has been on the rise as the demand to perform increases as many have targets set to achieve. Such pressure has led mental illness to be on the rise in the recent years (Fenwick,pp. 23, 2012). The definition of stress and explain job stress Job stress arises from the interaction of workers and their jobs. It is characterized by changes in the workers that force them to deviate from their normal functioning. In addition, it can be defined as the reaction of individuals to the demands imposed upon them. Research has it that some forms of stress are fine and may progress employee’s output; conversely, excessive stress leads to physical and mental change. Organisations are usually embedded in a broad spectrum of the institutional environment. These conditions influence institutions and control them. The institutional environment has an effect on the job stress as they have an impact on the employment conditions, the labour market and institutions . Political stability is one of the institutional forces affecting systems through legislation of wage rules, collective bargaining, security programs and working hours. Such factors influenced by the state affect employees, employers and the labour markets. Job structure of jobs is not purely determined by organisations as laws and customs broadly shape them. For instance, worker safety laws and antidiscrimination laws. The most significant determinant of any job structures is the availability of individuals with appropriate knowledge, skills, training and experience necessary to fill a vacant position. Jobs differ in the type of tasks that are needed to be undertaken and individuals vary in both the amount of capital and class that would enable to perform the functions. There is substantial scholarly work on occupational differences in the functioning of workers, which includes differences in job stress. Occupations differ for stress facing a particular individual (Cooper, pp.39, 2011). There are roles that demand a lot of skill and knowledge and such tasks are bound to offer the jobholder more stress. In addition, benefits, job security and opportunities can determine the stress level of an individual. Job structure and macroeconomic variables have major longitudinal and cross-sectional effects on stress; macroeconomic influences are almost entirely indirect in their consequence on job structures. For instance, higher occupational rates led to more stress, in addition, lowered life satisfaction ultimately through decreased decision latitude and amplified job demands. In general, results propose that macroeconomic changes, for example, recessions can have an effect on individual stress since they lead to variations in routine job structures that signify continued and increased exposure to stressful conditions. Working conditions play a significant factor on the job stress levels of workers. Research has it that individuals working in organisations that cater for social welfare have minimal stress levels compared to those which workers are neglected. There has been an increase in women in the workforce in the recent times. This increase has been because of social equality campaigns to ensure more and more women are absorbed into the job market. There is definitive evidence proving that there is a negative correlation between the female labour force and the health of middle-aged men. The relationship is driven by stress at the household stage as men lack the female presence, hence increasing chances of stress in men. Social relationship causes stress Work-related stress is a problem around the globe that involves not only the well-being and health of employees, but in addition productivity of companies. Work-related stress results where work demands of combinations and various types exceed the employee’s capacity and capability to manage. Work-related stress is a result of various events. For instance, a worker might feel under intense pressure if the demands of their jobs are superior to they can contentedly manage. Other sources of stress include threats to job security, conflict with co-workers or managers and constant change. Prevention is better than cure as failure to prevent work-related stress can lead to dissatisfaction and high employee turnover. Some of the major factors that usually cause work-related stress include tight deadlines, long hours, Changes within the organisation and heavy workloads. It is vital for employers to identify work-related stress as a major health and safety issue. A business can take steps to make sure that workers are not subjected to stress, through ensuring a safe working atmosphere. Making sure that everyone is appropriately trained for his or her post. Further, de-stigmatise job-related stress by candidly recognising it as a real problem. That notwithstanding, employers should Discuss issues and grievances with employees, and take appropriate action when possible. Burnout and work stress remain important concerns in nursing. Work stress affects both nurses and patients. For the nurse, despite whether stress is perceived negatively or positively, the neuroendocrine response leads to physiologic reactions that ultimately contribute to illness. In the health care association, work stress may lead to absenteeism and turnover, which affects the quality of care. Hospitals, particularly are facing a labour force crisis. The need for acute care services is growing concurrently with changing career prospects among potential health care employees and growing displeasure among existing hospital employees. Nurse leaders and researchers believe that improvements can be achieved through staffing and retention of nurses. It has been noted as a significant health setback. Work stress in the nursing industry was first assessed in the early 1960 in which four sources of anxiety among nurses were identified which included decision-making, patient care, change and taking responsibility. The nurse’s responsibility has long been seen as stress-filled, based upon the human suffering, physical labour work hours, interpersonal relationships, and staffing, which are essential to the work nurses do. Therefore, this stress may lead to poor service being offered by them. Poor service provided ultimately causes patient suffering. In addition to work related stress, nurses also face home-related stress, hence lowering the quality of service provided (Kaplan, pp.23, 2010). Stress causes hypertension Stress certainly affects our bodies. Additionally to the emotional distress, we feel in a stressful situation, our bodies respond by releasing hormones into the blood system. These hormones set up the body for the fight or flight reaction by making the heartbeat quicker and contracting blood vessels to get extra blood to the centre of the body as a substitute of the extremities. Stress is signified by the constriction of blood vessels and an increase in heart beat rate, hence leading to high blood pressure.  Making lifestyle adjustments is essential to maintaining the usual blood pressure. Most doctors suggest lifestyle changes prior to prescribing drugs. Change in Lifestyle is also the recommended cure for pre-hypertension, a situation where blood pressure readings are below 140/90 but higher than 120/80 (Cooper, pp.13, 2013). Ways to reduce hypertension are many, but the major one include stress reduction. Emotional factors play a part in blood pressure. Studies illustrate that relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or even therapy to assist one cope with stress hence reduce blood pressure. Quitting smoking is possibly the most vital step one can take to improve chances of getting hypertension. Further, losing the excess weight can assist lower the blood pressure. Studies show that a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in salt can considerably lower blood pressure. In addition, further studies illustrate that having the recommended everyday amounts of vitamin E; vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and magnesium can improve the heart health. Ultimately, Regular aerobic activity, for instance, brisk walking, can lessen the blood pressure. The constancy of exercise is as important as intensity. Stress causes mental illness When one is under chronic stress, it starts to influence his or her mental and physical health negatively. The body’s stress reaction was not made to be continuously engaged. Many people come across stress from several sources, including; money, work, health, and relationship worries. With so numerous sources of stress, it is hard to find time to disengage and relax. Stress is one of the chief health problems facing persons today. Chronic stress heightens the risk of developing problems including; diabetes, obesity, heart disease, weakened immune system, and cancer. Numerous studies show a connection between stress and the growth of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders. Based on the American Psychological Association’s most recent stress survey, 66% of people frequently experience vital physical symptoms of stress and 63% experience psychological symptoms. Although numerous studies have revealed, a link between mental health problems and stress, the cause of this relationship has remained unclear. Current research from the University of California has exposed a fresh insight why stress can be so harmful to a person’s psyche. Earlier research has established physical differences in the brains of individuals with anxiety disorders, for instance, post-traumatic stress disorder, and those are lacking. One of the major distinctions is that the proportion of the brain’s white matter compared to the grey matter is superior in those with stress-related psychological disorders than those without. Mental illnesses are physical conditions that affect the manner we think about ourselves, interact with the world around us and relate to others; they influence our thoughts, abilities, feelings and behaviours. Anxiety disorders and Depression are the most regular mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are additional likely to come up in times of stress or doubt, which can be part of numerous people’s jobs. Nevertheless, life stress outside of the workplace can also influence psychological health, which may then affect a person at work. It is vital to understand that mental illnesses are real. Like other diseases, such as asthma or diabetes, most psychological illnesses are episodic. That means persons have periods when they are productive, over and above periods when their general functioning is low. Mental illnesses can also have a big effect on relationships. People who experience a mental illness may withdraw from others, act in unexpected ways, take a lot of time off, or appear less productive than usual. Mental illness can strain relationships between with supervisors and co-workers. Conclusion Based on the above it is clear to note that stress has gone on the rise due to the modern pace the world has adopted. Stress causes hypertension, mental illness and conflicts in the workplace and if no remedies are put in place, then the numbers of individuals suffering from hypertension and mental illness will increase. References Mark Tausig, Rudy Fenwick. (2012). Work and Mental Health in Social Context . New York, NY: Springer New York. p1-50. Janice Langan-Fox, Cary L. Cooper. (2011). Handbook of stress in the occupations . Cheltenham ; Northampton, MA : Edward Elgar. p1-31. Cary L. Cooper (2013). From stress to wellbeing. Volume 2, Stress management and enhancing wellbeing . Hampshire: Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. P32-48. Graham A. MacGregor, Norman M. Kaplan (2010). Hypertension. Health Press: Abingdon. p23 Susan Cartwright, Cary Cooper (2011). Innovations in stress and health. Hound mills, Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York: Palgrave Macmillan. P1-7 p51-70. Read More