Workplace Stress Kills People

The costs associated with workplace stress continue to impact business in Australia and the rest of the western world. In this article, the author explores simple principles behind managing emotional states as they apply to business leadership today.

It's probably fair to say the level of stress people experience in business is on the increase! It doesn't matter whether people are self-employed or work for a corporation, the story is the same.

Most people, particularly those in a business leadership role are working extremely hard in a complex and competitive environment. It appears that as a society we have now ACCEPTED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AS BEING NORMAL and a part of the day-to-day grind that we have to live with. Personally ... I ponder the logic of that.

THE COST OF STRESS

Research commissioned by Medibank Private has found that workplace stress directly costs Australian employers and business leaders $10 billion a year and is responsible for 3.2-days being lost each year per worker.

Is this the real cost of workplace stress?

From a business perspective it might be. But that's not the most important perspective; what about the cost you and I pay personally, what is that?

DEFINING NEGATIVE STRESS

To make this conversation a meaningful one, let's define stress as it relates to this conversation specifically.

Not all stress is bad. The workplace stress we are talking about here is this: 'Any emotional state that causes the body to respond to the release of the hormone cortisol.' The body only operates in one of two states - a state of growth or a state of protection {or survival}. When the body is relaxed and in a state of wellbeing, it is in growth mode and all of the systems related to longevity are functioning properly. When emotional stress is present, all of the systems are no longer functioning in a 'normal' way!

Is this a problem is do we think that having one's digestive system sitting idle while energy is diverted to where it is needed for protection purposes? Is it okay for one's waste elimination or reproductive systems to be functioning at a level less than intended while the body directs its resources to deal with some perceived stress stimulus?

ANOTHER INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Stress is a natural response to certain stimulus and forms an important part of our survival mechanism. When you experience workplace stress the chemistry of your body changes. The main problem with emotional stress is that the biochemistry that creates it DOES NOT SUPPORT A HEALTHY BODY!

The flow of blood and electrical energy is directed in such a way that it enhances your fight or flight ability in response to some 'perceived' situation. Simultaneously, certain automatic systems start to shut down so that energy can be diverted to where it is needed most. One of the first systems affected is the body's immune system (which includes waste elimination).

People who live in prolonged periods of stress gradually experience a build up of internal waste which in turn leads to lower levels of energy and reduced performance. As waste and toxicity accumulates over time, it leads to illness and accelerated aging of the body's building blocks - THE CELLS.

As the 75 trillion or so cells of your body age, you see the signs of age in the mirror. When you realise you have aged much faster than you would have liked, it is already too late.

THE CONSEQUENCES of emotional stress and associated behaviours can be clearly seen in the poor health statistics we are continually exposed to and affected by.

- The World Health Organisation states that by 2020, depression will be the largest single cause of illness

- > 65% of the population now die of cancer or heart disease - that equates to some 14 million Australians who will die earlier than they need to - the probability that you are going to be one of these people is high

- > 65% of the Australian population are overweight or obese - I wonder if I'm the only one who sees the correlation with cancer and heart disease statistics mentioned above?

- Obesity related disease is costing Australia $22 Billion per year - twice as much as Medicare

- In America, spending on obesity related disease now exceeds $170 Billion per year

These figures are sending all of us a clear message. If we wish to continue the trends we see now and realise even greater periods of chemical and surgical intervention in the lives of future generations, then we should do nothing.

If we want a different outcome and we are going to thrive as a community, and live a long, healthy, vital life; something must change.

Remember this:

'You cannot do what 90 percent of the population are doing and expect something else to happen to you.'

If you're like me, you choose a different outcome than the majority of the population.

IT BEGS THE QUESTION - IS IT POSSIBLE TO CONTROL WORKPLACE STRESS?

Is it possible that you can control how you feel about what you do and continue to do similar work?

Is it possible you can do less and achieve more in both the personal and professional aspects of your life, including in the areas of health and wealth creation?

In every case, the answer is YES YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN!

But first you have to decide if you want to be like 90 percent of the population, you have to decide if you want to wait until that 'wake up call' arrives on your doorstep or do something to really create an extraordinary life right now.

If you really are committed to being more effective as a business leader or an employee or parent, if you are committed to your own health and maximising your potential longevity, if you really are interested in the psychology of peak performance and extraordinary living, if you truly are committed to living life according to a new set of standards, then do something for yourself.

I only know one way to break away from the stresses everybody else chooses to live, and this way is based on some key principles.

FIVE PRINCIPLES THAT UNDERPIN EFFECTIVE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP TODAY

(1) Recognise that you have two choices - what you do and how you feel about what you do; the moment you realise that you can take control

(2) Work continually towards balance - this means meeting your personal needs at home and at work (as opposed to having enjoyment in only one of these and not the other); remember you do have control if you choose it

(3) Get out of detail, stay focused on your higher level values in both the workplace and in your personal life - life is far less complex

(4) Maintain symmetry in your life - this means you are moving forward and making progress in all of the important high level values you have

(5) Only take ACTION with the knowledge of the OUTCOME or RESULT you are working towards, and the reasons WHY you want that outcome - the action becomes far more enjoyable when you do

These principles underpin the training we deliver to 1,000s of people in our Most Effective Leader on the Planet seminar. They apply equally at home and work, and when one becomes more effective in one area, it can translate into better results in the other area. The interdependence between home and work cannot be ignored today. Something to think about.

Well my friend, that's it for now. I really do hope you think about what I have said as this is a major contributing factor in people living life in a way that ultimately kills their emotions, kills their drive and causes the body to stop functioning far earlier than it needs to.

Take care and enjoy life to the fullest.

About the Author

With more than 36 years of work experience behind him, George Lee Sye is now a highly sought after speaker, performance coach and mentor to business leaders in organisations of all sizes. To read more about his approach to business leadership visit his website here - http://www.soarent.com.au/business-leadership/academy-business-leadership

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