We've been hearing a lot lately about stress in the workplace sometimes ending in violence. But even more common is the stress suffered by employees who work with difficult bosses or under challenging circumstances. Their physical and mental health often undergo deterioration as well as their work performance. In our recently published book ("I Can't Take it Anymore: How to Manage Stress so It Doesn't Manage You", co-authors Paul G. Longobardi, Ph.D., and Janice B. Longobardi, R.N., available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542458056), we discussed these issues. Here is an excerpt from our chapter about the issue of stress and you in the workplace:
Workplace stress is common. Management studies have estimated $300 million lost to work related stress conditions per year. According to the American Psychological Association workplace survey (2012), 65% of Americans rated their job as a major source of stress. At the same time, only 37% of those surveyed thought they were doing a good job of managing their work related stressors.
Some common workplace stressors include: unchallenging work, few opportunities for growth or advancement, excessive workloads, and lack of control over work conditions.
How can brain science help us to understand and achieve stress management in the workplace? There is increasing evidence that various relaxation techniques for stress can help us concentrate and focus better, strengthen our brains, and reduce age-related brain atrophy. These techniques consequently influence company success factors such as increased workplace productivity. Strategies for reducing stress include meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation. In the last few years, there have been a number of research studies, predominantly with meditators. The results have shown that meditators developed stronger connections between different regions of their brains and showed fewer signs of brain atrophy of white matter tissue, critical for brain connectivity. Additional recent studies noted that individuals who practiced mindfulness meditation for one half hour per day, for just eight weeks, had changes in gray matter density in the hippocampus, an area associated with memory, as well as in the amygdala, associated with stress. Increasing activity in the caudal anterior cingulate cortex, in the frontal area of our brain, has been associated with more brain activity for those characterized with a growth mindset, as described by Dr. Carol Dweck of Stanford University (Dweck, 2008). Also, in an article in the Los Angeles Times, titled "Mindful Management," author, Robin Rauzi (2013), noted the existence of Executive Mind classes in the MBA program at the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. Meditation and the power of attention are taught as core skills for leaders and managers. She also observed that multiple mainstream companies, such as Google and General Mills, have in-house programs to increase mindful approaches, and credit such with increasing their productivity.
Given the above, it should be clear that we need not wait for the company retreat to reduce our stress and burn-out. Most such retreats involve time for self-contemplation, relaxation, and meditation. Perhaps leaders, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and network marketers might plan and proactively promote such strategies in the work environment. They all involve a focusing of one's attention, breathing, visual imagery, emotions, and bodily sensations. These strategies can help to increase workplace performance, as well as make us feel better about ourselves and our lives in general.
So perhaps it is time for you to take charge of your health and your stressors. You can acquire the book on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542458056
You can read more about the book at http://www.manageyourhealthandstress.com/
Good luck on your journey!
Dr. Longobardi
For information on these and related topics, please see my website at www.successandmindset.com