Stress is an automatic physiological response to activities that put pressure on performance, through upsetting the individual. Understanding the cause of stress is an essential part of dealing with the effects of stress. Stressors are of two types; positive and negative. Positive stress occurs when something desirable, such as joining university, buying a dream car, or becoming married, occurs (Carlson, 2007). On the other hand, negative stress occurs when bad things take place, for instance death of a loved one, break-up in a relationship, or the case of an arrogant boss. Stress lowers productivity, affects self-esteem, health, and relationship, and lowers the quality of life.
For instance, an employee who works for long hours without day offs may experience fatigue and the outcome is stress. As a result, the worker suffers from ill health, increased chances of making errors, and easy irritation. Cardiovascular complications leading to heart attacks and heart failure are a possible long-term effect of persistent stress. The first step in dealing with such stress is the employee becoming aware that they are suffering from stress and identifying the possible causes.
After identifying the cause and effects of the stress, the worker could approach the boss and explain the condition and effects it has on the job and the company’s future performance. The worker may seek a reduction in some working hours payday, day offs, and possibly promotion for the hard work (Viner, 2010). Implementation of the above suggestions by the employee would effectively remove the effects of stress, thus enhancing the employee performance.
The other impacts of stress include depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and drug addiction, hyper mobility, and, to large extents, crime and suicide. Therefore understanding the effects of stress and their possible causes is important in developing a healthier and productive lifestyle.
References
Carlson, N.R. & Heth, C.D. (2007). The Psychologyof the science of behaviour. 4th ed. Upper
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Kessler, R. C. (1997). The eefects of stressful life events on depression. University Press. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 527.
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Van der Kolk, B. A., & McFarlane, A. C. (Eds.). (2012). Traumatic stress: The effects of excess experience on society,mind and body, . Guilford Press.,456
Viner, R. (2010.). “Putting Stress in Life: The Making of Stress Theory”. Sage Publishing