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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 15, 2014 1:01 PM IST
Stress is the number one lifestyle risk factor, ranking above physical inactivity and obesity among Indian employees, a new study suggests. According to the inaugural Asia Pacific edition of the Staying@Work survey conducted by global professional services company Towers Watson, while Indian employers lead their regional counterparts in developing strategies to manage work-related stress, only 38 percent identified improving the emotional/mental health of employees (i.e. lessening the stress and anxiety) as a top priority of their health and productivity programs.
This signals a vast scope for improvement in strategic initiatives aimed at tackling stress among Indian employees. Globally, the causes of poor health are remarkably similar; however, the tools, abilities and resources needed to address these vary greatly across regions. Nonetheless, multiple issues related to stress are driving the need for a greater organisational commitment that extends beyond employees' physical and mental health; one that encompasses the work environment, culture and interpersonal relationships that connect employees to the mission and goals of the organisation. (Read: 10 most common symptoms of stress)
The 2013 Towers Watson Global Benefits Attitudes Survey highlights that the main sources of stress for employees across the globe are tied to their experience at the workplace. 'Stress is directly linked to physical and emotional health important contributing factors to workplace performance,' Anuradha Sriram, Director Benefits, Towers Watson India said. 'In a challenging economic scenario, where companies are stretched to balance costs and maximise productivity, employers need to identify specific triggers that impact employee wellness, engagement and in turn productivity - failing which, they run the risk of diverting time and resources to fixing non-critical issues and alienating their workforce at the same time,' she added.
How do you know that you are stressed?
According to Dr Gorav, 'Stress can manifest in mainly two forms physical and psychological. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, restlessness, panic attack, mood swings, etc. Sometimes due to extreme stress people tend to become increasingly silent, or can react in a manner opposite to his/her normal behaviour. Physically the symptoms seen affect various parts of our body. For instance when stress affects the nervous system, a person would experience constant headaches, in the gastrointestinal system the person might experience reduced appetite, stomach upset or pain, and in case of the respiratory system one may experience difficulty breathing. Stress also affects the heart and can lead to a rise or a sudden fall in BP and possibly a heart attacks. It can affects one's sexual life as well. Other physical problems one can face is body ache and muscle aches as well'
What are the causes of stress?
Everyone is different and tend to react differently to situations, but broadly, stress can be caused due to problems at the workplace, problems at home or even sudden changes in life. Bereavement or the death of a loved one is also one of the most leading causes of stress. While the stimulus for the onset of stress could be different for all, the extent and severity of the condition depends on your innate strength to bear a problem. Therefore the stronger a person (mentally) the less likely he/she is to suffer from it. (Read: Stress causes, symptoms, complications and management)
With inputs from ANI
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