We can all feel a little pressured at work at times, which can be motivating, help us with performing better and overcoming challenges that we may encounter. However, high levels of pressure, due to excessive demands at work, might lead to work-related stress.

Work-related stress causes

Work-related stress is stress caused or made worse by our work environment. It may be caused by real or perceived pressures such as deadlines, work relationships, performance reviews, career development issues and other anxieties within the working environment. It specifically refers to when we perceive our work milieu so pressurising that we feel unable to cope.

We can all respond differently when we feel under pressure. For example:

• Some people respond in a calm and collected way
• Others might feel extremely anxious but they might hide it well
• Some others are aware that they are highly stressed but are motivated by this challenge
• Others are so highly overwhelmed by stress that their functioning at work and personal life is greatly affected
• Or others could behave in a hostile or aggressive manner, without acknowledging or even realising that their behaviour is due to stress

Counselling for work-related stress

If you think you might be struggling with work-related stress, it is vital you seek support. Spending time at work is meant to make you feel productive, happy and good about yourself. It is normal that some days you may feel unmotivated or tired; however, experiencing these emotions for a prolonged period of time can affect your physical and mental health and impact on your relationships. Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or suicidal thoughts are some of the common mental health difficulties known to be linked to work-related stress.

Psychologist Dr Zach offers a range of therapies for work-related stress at his London clinic & online.