Work-Related Stress
Stress is a natural part of working life, and a variety of short-term stressors, like meeting a looming project deadline or preparing for a presentation, are completely common elements of work in today’s fast-paced world. In fact, short-term stress can even give us a jolt of energy and improve our short-term performance. But when you begin to feel that your work-related stress is becoming a chronic, pervasive feature of your work, and when you sense that this is causing harm to your emotional or physical health, or the well-being of others around you, it’s time to seek help.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur burning the candle at both ends or battling serious job dissatisfaction, there can be many different work conditions that make it a real challenge to simply “do what you love, and love what you do.” For some people, the most significant work stressor is that there is simply too much to do. These unrealistic or ambiguous expectations (whether set by you or your employer) can lead to serious burnout. We find that many of our clients can use support developing or improving their time management skills as well as creating a consistent work-life balance. For other people, the social environment of work can be the most challenging as they may lack social support or have trouble navigating conflicts with others on their teams. Finally, the very profession you’ve chosen can be a source of stress for some. You may wonder whether your job is truly right for you, and whether you’re spending your time using and developing your greatest skills and talents.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Through individual therapy, we can begin to help you identify the work conditions that most commonly create stress for you, and take a look at your typical emotional and physical responses to them. This might include negative, automatic thought processes that, when brought to light, can be questioned and reimagined. By engaging in thoughtful, honest, and open conversation, we can support you as you identify your preferences for work-life balance and set healthy boundaries at work that can keep work from following you home. You may find that therapy helps you to process and heal from past work experiences that felt incredibly stressful or even traumatic. Or you may find that, through sustained dialogue about your experiences at work and the meaning you derive from your work life, there are new possibilities for your career that are calling out to you. We can help you explore that.
Our therapists are experts in providing evidence-based techniques that will help you to improve your confidence while reducing stress and anxiety at work and at home. We can help you discover and practice methods for mental and physical relaxation, and determine which techniques are most helpful to you in recharging outside of work so that you can perform your best. Perhaps you struggle with communicating effectively with your supervisor: We can be your partner as you prepare to engage your boss in difficult conversations.
Common Signs
Insomnia
Irritability
Family stress
Fatigue
Headaches
Muscle tension
Chronic work-related stress is all too common in our society, but it’s not something you have to endure alone, or forever. We’re here to help you make sense of your work experiences—both past and present—and figure out how to discover deep and lasting meaning, satisfaction, and purpose in your chosen career. Contact us for a free consultation.
