Anxiety and stress in the workplace is on the rise, a Laya Healthcare Workplace survey has found.
In 2020, only 6% of respondents told researchers they felt concerned or anxious all the time.
By 2023, that figure had nearly tripled to 15% and counselling psychologist Leslie Shoemaker described workplace stress as something that has become “pretty normal”.
“Research from the World Health Organisation is saying this is something that is happening across all age groups, across the world,” she told Newstalk Breakfast.
“Part of it is post-pandemic, we’re looking at workplaces being understaffed, we’re looking at shortages of products coming into the country.
“It’s just a number of different obstacles that are happening.”
Ms Shoemaker said everyone goes through periods when stress becomes “overwhelming” and it is important to take note on how this impacts you.
“[Maybe] you’re having a problem concentrating, a problem sleeping,” she said.
“Maybe you’re finding that you’re snacking on the chocolate a tad bit more or perhaps having a couple of glasses of wine to sleep at night.
“That’s something that’s starting to look a bit more serious.”
What to do
For those who are concerned about the levels of stress they are experiencing, Ms Shoemaker said it is important to start by being honest with yourself.
“Sit down and assess the situation, what’s going on?” she said.
“For example, if you’re doing the work of two people, it may be time to sit down with your line manager and have a chat and say, ‘This is the situation, what are my priorities? What can we let slide to a later date?’
“Also, discuss the physical impact that it’s having on you; that you’re not sleeping, that you’re feeling constant worry and stress, inside and outside of work.
“It can also [mean] looking at your timetable; I know a lot of parents who are collecting kids really stress out in the afternoon because they’ve got these competing demands.”
Ms Shoemaker said having a conversation with your manager is a good place to start as they “also have a responsibility in this situation”.
Main image: A woman at her desk. Image: Kateryna Onyshchuk / Alamy Stock Photo
