All working professionals can relate to stress in the workplace. It is extremely nerve-wracking to live up to the increasing work pressures and cope-up with the daily targets at work. Work Related Stress Disorder (WRSD) occurs when this increased work demands and pressures cannot be matched by an employee's knowledge/skill sets and their ability to cope.

No knowledge is complete, without knowing the root cause. So, let's understand what the causes of WRSD are-

There is little/no control over workplace activities-

Employers should give some amount of flexibility for an employee to achieve the daily targets. Employees can be allowed to customize their workstations. This will result in employees having their personal space even in office and have a healthy and a less stressful work environment.

Lack of job security-

Uncertainty about the job or work profile leads to lack of job security. Eventually this leads to attrition in an organization.

Lack of acknowledgment and appreciation-

Employees get stressed when they feel that their efforts are not appreciated or acknowledged.

Office Politics-

In any organization be it big or small, there is always this cliché of "office politics". In the age of competition, some selfish employees indulge in desperate measures for achieving success by hook or crook even if it against ethics and integrity. This impacts an employee who is sincere and hardworking in a big way.

Long Working Hours-

The constant race against time for meeting deadlines means that an employee overworks. Such long working hours at work often lead to stress.

Unfairness-

Employees are not happy when they sense unfairness at work.

Work Related Stress Disorder can affect an employee physically, behaviorally and emotionally. Let's get to know the symptoms or signs of stress at work.

So how will you know if you suffer from WSRD? There are some common physical symptoms that should alarm you-

• Headaches
• Fatigue/tiredness/low energy
• Weight gain/weight loss
• Breathlessness
• Muscle twitching/muscle stiffness
• Insomnia

WRSD affects a person's mind too. When an employee is affected behaviorally, he/she will exhibit the following symptoms-

• Negativity
• Worrying
• Nightmares
• Indecisiveness/ Hasty decision making
• Impaired - judgement
• Hasty decisions
• Confusion

When an employee feels that nothing is going right in office, it reflects on the employee's emotions. Following are the symptoms to know if an employee is affected emotionally-

• Depression
• Loss of confidence
• Anger
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Lack of interest
• Anxiety
• Detachment

When an employee is suffering from WSRD, his/her behavior will reflect it. The person affected from WRSD can show the following behavioral traits-

• Loss of appetite
• Restlessness
• Clumsiness
• Inclination to addictions like smoking and drinking
• Loss of sex drive

In India, almost 46% of the workforce suffers from this condition. Hence, employees need to have an awareness of how to overcome stress at work. An employer could engage or promote workshops for their employees on the how to deal with work stress or stress management.

An employer should always keep in mind that if their employees are happy and healthy, can work to the best of their abilities. This will result in increased productivity and happy customers. Eventually, if the customers are happy it will result in more business from the customers.

To know your employee's complete health and wellness status, you can opt for corporate health check designed and facilitated by COWIN, the Workforce  check specialist, fill the query form and our corporate team will get back to you ASAP.

A woman is known to be multi-faceted and plays some vital roles in our society. There is always a fight against time for a working woman. It becomes seemingly difficult for her to maintain a work-life balance; resulting in very less or no time to think about herself. This inturn results in the added ignorance about her health. Not to forget this, has implications on her family and workplace. As per ASSOCHAM, 68% working women suffer from lifestyle diseases.

Let's discuss some important lifestyle diseases in women.

Obesity-

In a survey, 80% of urban Indian working women in the age group 25-45 years were observed to be fat; due to the sedentary lifestyle and changing food habits. Obesity is also known to affect the mind, and cause symptoms like depression, insomnia, and self-pity. Women in the IT sector spend 10-12 hours sitting at their work-stations in a controlled environment resulting in weight gain. Struggling with the weight management a working woman may suffer from psychological problems which not only affects her eating habits (e.g., anorexia) but could eventually lead to depression.

Depression/General Anxiety Disorder-

75% of working women are known to suffer from depression/general anxiety disorder in comparison to women with lesser levels of psychological workplace demands. It has been predicted that by 2020, depression would be the 2^nd major cause of disability worldwide. The root cause of this problem is associated with the long working hours and strict deadlines. Factors such as poor sleep, nutrition, lack of exercise, addiction to alcohol, and drug abuse also contribute to depression.

Chronic Backache-

The working women usually have a lower back pain as it bears our body weight. This is the most common chronic disease at work which is a result of the long hours of static posture without appropriate support to the back. To top it the excessive and sudden weight gain by the sedentary lifestyle makes your back all the more vulnerable to it. Also, when the work gets the better of you; an anxious mind tends to aggravate the back pain.

Infertility-

These sedentary lifestyle changes are known to be the cause of the increasing infertility rates. The infertility is a result of stress and obesity caused by the long working hours with erratic timings, lack of physical exercise, and changes in eating habits accompanied by conditions like diabetes.

Diabetes and CVD (Cardiovascular Diseases)-

In a study done, it was observed that 3 out of 5 women were at the high risk of cardiovascular disease even as early as 35 years of age because of this sedentary lifestyle. In another study, the lack of job control was associated with an increased risk of diabetes among women.

In conclusion, we can safely say that risk factors of lifestyle diseases like unhealthy food habits, physical inactivity, inappropriate body posture and disturbed biological clock should be avoided. Hence, women's safety and health issues at work need to be addressed and diagnosed at an early stage on priority. For this, we can opt for regular health checks.

You have to necessarily realize the importance of a healthy body and avoid all the risks factors that contribute to the lifestyle diseases.

fill the query form to know more about our corporate health check packages and we will get back at you at the earliest.

In today’s fast paced world, individuals work really hard day in and day out. While there are many professional career options these days, most of them demand employees to work in rotational shifts or to work in odd timings. Such employees face problems to manage the lost hours of sleep and rest. Some of the common health issues seen in these employees are mentioned below.

Short-Term Health Disorders of Rotating Shift Workers

Following are some of the short-term health effects of rotational shift workers-

• Increased risk of accidents and injuries
• Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, heartburn, and diarrhoea.
• Diminished quality of life
• Lack of physical strength and frequent health issues

Long-Term Health Disorders of Rotating Shift Workers

Recent studies reveal numerous hazardous health issues amongst individuals working in rotational shifts.

·         Cardiovascular Disease

As per recent studies, a rotational shift worker is at 5% increased risk of ailments like heart attacks, strokes, etc. than the regular employees.

·         Diabetes and Metabolic Issues

Studies have also confirmed that employees working in shifts have a risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome which consequently results in high blood sugar, increased blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol levels.

·         Obesity

Working in rotational shifts enforces a poor diet, lack of exercise, and hormonal imbalances, all of which results in obesity.

·         Mood Disorders and Depression

Some studies reveal that shift workers are more likely to experience symptoms of mood disorders and depression. Rotational working hours result in social isolation which directly affects the brain. Working in shifts results in lower levels of serotonin hormone secretion, which plays a key role in causing such health issues.

·         Menstrual/Pregnancy Complications

Shift working hours can affect the reproductive system of a woman. It can lead to severe complications, like irregular menstrual cycles, endometriosis, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), miscarriage, complications during pregnancy/delivery, low birth weight baby, and premature delivery.

·         Cancer

According to a research submitted by WHO in 2007, shift working hours have resulted in increased cancer patients.

Best Health Prevention Tips for Shift Workers

Employees working in rotational shifts experience much more health problems as compared to the ones working for regular/fixed hours. A corporate setting should opt for the following solutions with the sole purpose of a happy and healthy employee.

·         Employee Wellness Programs

The organizations must introduce appropriate employee wellness programs to ensure the employees are provided with proper health care.

·         Workforce Health Check

Organizations should regularly introduce health check plans to identify any health risk in an employee, before it becomes too complex or difficult to treat.

It is now clear that working in rotational shift is connected to various health issues. Propagating work-friendly environment, employee wellness programs and prioritizing your employees’ health are the best options to have healthy and happy employees.

If you intend to have a healthy workforce, which in turn spell your success, take a step now with introducing employee wellness programs and corporate health checks. Please fill the query form below for more information related to this.

Self-care is not limited to relaxation in your spare time, but it can be extended to the workplace environment too. Workplace health is a concern for all corporate companies. Thus, the employer and employee should both take a few steps to take care of their behavioral health at workplace. Stress, anxiety, and depression can slow down the progress of the company. Here are a few strategies that will help improve your wellbeing and behavioral health in the workplace.

Talk About Your Feelings

Employees feel stressed or troubled at work; and what's the easiest way to go out these feelings? Right! Talking it out is the best way. Identify a colleague or a pal whom you feel comfortable with and discuss your issues. You'll really feel light-hearted.

Limit Working Extra Hours

When there are deadlines and targets to meet you often do not stick to the standard working hours. When this becomes a norm it negatively impacts your behavioral health at workplace.

Eat Well

After being overloaded with work it's easy to skip meals either intentionally or accidentally. If you don't have a nutria-packed meal every day it leads to dehydration and decline of behavioral health. This might lead to a decrease in productivity too. Solution - fuel in during working hours!

Decorate Your Workspace

Let your working place look pleasant and appealing. Hanging a few pictures or inspirational quotes on your walls can be fun. You can also display your own artifacts or paintings around. If you don't have a fixed sitting arena, then try decorating your tool boxes or files or pin enamel to your uniform if it is allowed. Be creative and lift up your mood.

Keep Active

Workplace health and safety is an important concern when you work in a corporate. Regular exercise is a must to boost your self-esteem. Exercise helps you concentrate on work and make you feel relaxed.

Employee Assistance Program

Corporate employers offer Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or similar programs to assist their employees with health and personal issues at the workplace. Counselling adds to the behavioral and emotional wellbeing of an employee.

Take a Break

Take your step away moments of the day. A change of place is ideal for occupational health and safety. A ten-minute pause from work will refresh your senses and will motivate you to work more efficiently throughout the day.

Behavioral health at workplace is what matters the most, thus you deserve to take care of your wellbeing all the time. At times it is natural to feel too overwhelmed and pressurized at work. It's ok to indulge in pep talks and counselling to relieve stress. Many companies offer employee health check plans that do the needful. To know more about corporate health check package, get in touch with our health executives right away.