In the previous lesson, we discussed the link between diet and productivity.
In this lesson, we will explore the link between stress and productivity.
Browse the video to learn more and don’t forget to take the quiz at the end of the lesson.
The Link Between Stress and Productivity
Close your eyes for a few seconds and visualise this:
Scenario 1: You have been chasing a client for the last 2 years and are almost on the verge of signing the contract when you suddenly lose them to a competitor.
Scenario 2: One of your passion projects gets taken away from you abruptly and is assigned to someone else.
The tension you are experiencing right now – just at the thought of such a loss – is a mild form of negative stress known as bad stress.
When you encounter such unforeseen or uncontrollable situations at work, in reality, you can feel the full force of bad stress that can negatively impact your physical and mental well-being.
But what is the science behind this stress response?
According to an article published by the education and research organisation Mayo Clinic, when our brain perceives a threat, the hypothalamus – a tiny region at the base of our brain – sends signals to our adrenal glands to release a surge of stress hormones. Once the perceived threat has passed, the hormone levels get back to normal.
These stress hormones give us the energy to respond to day-to-day life situations healthily, provided they are produced within a limit.
However, when under constant stress, our adrenals never stop pumping out stress hormones, which eventually harms our health.
According to Dr Christiane Northrup, if you are frequently in “crisis mode” and the demands placed on you are excessive and ongoing, your adrenals will eventually get overtaxed, increasing the risk of contracting various health issues such as:
- Memory and Concentration Impairment
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Digestive Problems
- Sleep-Related Issues
- Headaches
- Heart Disease
- Weight Gain
Stress and Us
According to a report from the American Bureau of Labor Statistics, “workers who must take time off work because of stress, anxiety, or a related disorder will be off the job for about 20 days.”
In such cases, reduced productivity is an obvious result.
What then?
Stressful situations are a part of life. We can’t avoid stress. However, we must learn how to manage stress such that it has as minimal a negative impact on our health and productivity as is possible.
To manage stress, start with identifying the various stressors in your life, and then understand how you can handle yourself when you face such stressors.
A few stress management strategies include:
- Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and making sure you get adequate sleep.
- Fostering healthy relationships, both within and outside the workplace. A close-knit circle of friends and family is vital, especially during tough, stressful It is beneficial to find one or two trustworthy individuals who can listen to you non-judgmentally and provide honest opinions and sound advice when required
- Practising relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, and meditation.
For a step-by-step guide on deep breathing and meditation techniques that can help you relax, please download our pdf file, the link to which has been provided below.
- Taking up a hobby such as listening to music, reading, dancing, gardening etc.
- Watching comedy movies or programmes
- Volunteering for community service.
- Seeking professional help when needed.
Learning these stress management strategies can help you lead a healthier, more productive and peaceful life.
In this lesson, we saw the link between stress and productivity.
In the next lesson, we will be recapping our course’s main points on ensuring energy through adequate sleep, exercise, diet, and stress management.
Before proceeding to the next lesson, please take the accompanying quiz, a link to which is available right below this video.
Happy Quizzing!
