How to Deal with Stress and Constant Pressure at work

In recent years, stress has become the cause of many physical and, above all, mental imbalances. Those most affected by the effects of stress accumulation are undoubtedly those who work in demanding environments.

The medical industry is one of the most stressful, along with aviation, military and security. The pressure to deal with urgent cases and the risks that can arise in the process are among the most significant sources of stress.

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Doctors, even if they have developed effective techniques over time to detach themselves from the chaos of the hospital, cannot completely resist stress. It’s an emotionally charged go-go, especially for those with high levels of responsibility. Although its effects on health are fairly obvious, stress has become a part of everyday life.

However, it is the stressors that go unnoticed that have the greatest impact on physical and mental well-being. You need to learn how and why stress occurs in your life and, more importantly, what steps you can take to reduce it. There is no standard mechanism or magic bullet, but there are clearly some effective strategies you can follow.

How do you identify stressors?

Most of the time, stress caused by high emotional impact changes, such as a breakup, can be identified immediately. But what do you do about the slow-onset stressors that ultimately affect your professional and personal life?

Here are some ways to identify stressors early:

1. Try to identify the source of your stress.

Is it an unhappy episode at home or a misunderstanding at work? Watch your reactions closely and try to see the bigger picture. It might even be something you haven’t thought about before, but your subconscious has picked up on.

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2. Think about how you feel in general, not just at work.

The effects of stress can have a significant impact on your personal relationships and your ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance. If you are constantly experiencing stressful moments, you are likely to experience anxiety, depression or panic attacks. You may also experience fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and digestive problems.

3. Don’t hesitate to see a professional.

As much as you may want to solve your problems on your own, there’s nothing like the expertise of a professional. Ask for their advice on appropriate ways to manage stress and think together about prevention techniques. Stress has become the disease of the 21st century, and you need to treat it as such. If you think you can handle it on your own, know that in its more advanced stages, stress is associated with abuse, addiction, and suicidal thoughts.

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What are the most common stressors for healthcare professionals?

If you find it difficult to identify the source of your anxiety, there are many situations in the medical field that can trigger stress:

• Inefficient case management resources – Inadequate structure and equipment will prevent you from performing your daily duties with ease, which will inevitably cause you stress.
• Unfriendly work environment – What could be more stressful than a work environment that doesn’t make you feel comfortable or allow you to grow? Coming to work every day knowing that you’ll be working with people who don’t understand you can become a real burden.
• Inability to Reach Goals – If you’ve long dreamed of becoming a physician recognized in the industry for excellence and haven’t yet achieved it, stress is likely to interfere. Financial problems, as well as the high expectations others have of you, can become overwhelming.

Top 5 Stress Management Strategies

No one can teach you how to deal with stress, precisely because stress is such a complex factor that it is not easy to deal with.

However, there are a few methods that you can apply that will be of great help in eliminating feelings of anxiety. Here are the top 5 stress management strategies you can consider, no matter what the situation:

• Practice meditation – Sometimes it’s good to set aside time for yourself. Try to create a harmonious transition between work and home. When you finish your shift, clear your mind and look at your surroundings. Take time to reflect and think about what happened that day. This will help you quickly identify stressors.
• Take a vacation – If you work non-stop, you may not be able to break out of the vicious cycle of stress. Make time for a vacation with family or friends. Get some fresh air and relax your mind. Try outdoor experiences. Nature is known for its calming effects.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle – If there’s one thing that fuels stress, it’s a disorganized lifestyle. Give up junk food and try to stop wasting nights out. It’s very important to give your body a chance to recover from strenuous activities.
• Laugh more – Humor plays a key role in eliminating the danger that stress causes. Enjoy the simple things in life and laugh at every opportunity. Don’t let the pressure of urgent cases get to you when you get home. Watch comedy movies, go out with friends who always make you feel good, or practice self-deprecation. Laughter will also help improve your mood.
• Organize your time better – The life of a healthcare professional is always fast-paced. As a result, you may not be able to draw a clear line between work and home. Use a phone or a spreadsheet to keep track of your activities. Make time for fun or pampering moments.

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Conclusion

Stress is a problem with serious psychosocial risks, especially for those who have to deal with stressful situations every day. Excessive workload, ineffective communication with superiors or colleagues, and lack of resources are among the most common stressors. The mental and physical effects can be overwhelming. That’s why you need to learn how to manage stress. As a physician, this can be very difficult, but it is not impossible. The strategies listed above will help you enjoy a harmonious career and perform well at work.

Use the right techniques and easily eliminate stress from your life!

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