The Tipping Point of Stress

By: Ann Cornell, Psy.D.

Everyone feels stress at work from time to time, even if they like their job. But, long-term stress can be harmful to both your physical and emotional well-being. There is a common belief that we should be able to push ourselves to work harder and without compromising our health or our performance. In fact, each of us has a tipping point at which more stress and pressure pushes us into overdrive and can have a negative impact on our physical and mental health.

The good news is that there are skills and techniques you can use to help decrease your stress levels that can have a positive impact on your physical and emotional health. Here are a few ideas that may help you manage work-related stress in your life:

• Track your stressors – Keep a journal to help identify stressful situations and your response to them.
• Develop healthy responses – Make constructive choices to help combat the stress in your life, such as exercising when possible, maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
• Establish boundaries – It can be tempting to check work email outside of work hours but this can add to work-life conflict stress.
• Take time to recharge – Stepping away from your desk for your lunch break or using your vacation time provides you with the opportunity to disconnect from work and step back into work refreshed.
• Learn how to relax – Meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness are great ways to decrease your stress and can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health.
• Talk to your supervisor – Share workplace stress and come up with solutions together to manage those stressors.
• Get support – Reach out to friends and family for support. Additional resources are available through Behavioral Health Partners (BHP) and UR Medicine Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or depressed, consider reaching out for professional help. There are so many ways to develop healthy skills for managing stress and Behavioral Health Partners can help.

Behavioral Health Partners is brought to you by Well-U, offering eligible individuals mental health services for stress, anxiety, and depression. Our team of mental health professionals can accurately assess your symptoms and make recommendations for treatment. To schedule an intake appointment, give us a call at (585) 276-6900.

Keith Stein | 11/1/2021

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