This has become a serious issue with me. Serious enough that I wake up every morning and have to use the bathroom several times before I can even make it out the door in the morning. Why? My Manager has a personal issue with me that has now become an ill effect on my health because I feel personally attacked of my credibility, work ethic and my personal opinions about respecting elders.
I need my job just as everyone else does in this economy. I am so exhausted by the end of the day, I fall asleep as soon as I return home from work. The stress level is excruciating. What can someone do when they are personally attacked in the workplace? I happen to be in a Union, file a grievance, no positive outcome, nothing changed. If this was another time with a better economy, I would excel somewhere else but there are no positions available. I am stuck dealing with the insanity.
Since, I am stuck in a position with no help from Management, how can I feel better emotionally and physically at this point? It is only up to me since there is no help anymore for the worker.
Here is some great signs I found on Help Guide.org.
Signs and symptoms of excessive job and workplace stress
Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed
Apathy, loss of interest in work.
Problems sleeping
Fatigue,
Trouble concentrating
Muscle tension or headaches
Stomach problems
Social withdrawal
Loss of sex drive
Using alcohol or drugs to cope
This website also provides some great information on how to reduce your stressful life at work. Here is the full website information http://helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_management.htm.
The first thing I am going to do for myself is start a strict exercise regiment. I have the opportunity to use workout facilities at work and I will consume myself at my lunch breaks in there from now on. It is all about me now. When you run out of options of trying and talk to your boss and this fails, become selfish and make YOU feel better. I am trying so hard to be optimistic right now.
Do you have any suggestions? Are you in my position and feel so stressed out that your health is affected? What are you doing to make your life better?
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Hi Miscortes,
May 7, 2010 - 10:52amI'm so sorry that you have to go through all that at work. I know how important work is for everyone right now. I've been in the same situation and true enough, when one is so stressed up, health is affected. Usually when I'm too stressed up, I see to it that I get enough rest and sleep. It's the best stress reduction tip I would always share with my friends. Sure - to achieve the good rest is not easy when we're all worried and stressed out of the problems we are facing. I use the http://pzizz.com to aid me get well rested making me feel re-energized and more focused. Try it -- it worked for me. Not only did my sleep improve but also it improved my attitude, physical looks (complexion and skin conditions).
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Hey, Miscortes,
I've been where you are before (though not in a union) and I know exactly how you feel.
Work is, literally, the center of our lives: we wake up and get ready for work, we go to work, and then we see what else we can get done after work. When there is something at work that is so stressful to us, it's incredibly hard to let it go. And the fact that you're feeling the effects physically isn't surprising -- it's your body telling you that something isn't right.
One thing you should do is document, document, document. On your own, at home. Start a work diary either on paper or in the computer and, without emotion, just write down anything objectively that goes on during the day that illustrates this problem. This should be as objective as possible -- facts, when, where, what was said, what you said in return, and outcome. This could become your backup if you ever have to show that you were fired without cause. And I think documenting will make you feel that you are in control of one part of this, at least.
Yes, EXERCISE. It's great that you can do it at lunch, and here's why: You'll feel like you're getting something for yourself back out of the workday.
When you are in a conversation with her or are working near her, practice staying in touch with your breathing. Lots of times when we are in a stressful situation, we take very shallow breaths or hardly breathe at all. This makes our stress response worse. Instead, we should be concentrating on long, slow, deep breaths that inflate our diaphragm.
Is there anything you can do in the morning that will make you feel that you are in more control of how you feel? For instance, can you arrive 15 minutes earlier than she does, simply so that you can get oriented and calm before she arrives?
When you work for a jerk, you have to teach yourself how not to take things personally even if they are personal. Boy, do I realize how hard that is. However, you can do it. It is like as soon as a sentence is out of their mouth, you have to scrub away the personal feelings and just listen to the directive. Don't let them get to you. Don't let her rile you. Don't give her the satisfaction of making you lose your temper or cry. Just simply think to yourself, "Ah, another thing to document," and go on.
You can do this. You can. Hang in there. I'll be eager to read your updates.
September 28, 2009 - 9:05amThis Comment
Thanks Susan for the article. I am not certain what will come of this, I will have to keep you updated but this has certainly become such a personal issue with me that I feel like my health is out of my control. Stress will certainly make someone so ill.
I am going to try my best this week to stick to this plan, I will write again next week on my progress.
September 27, 2009 - 9:18amThis Comment