When we hear the word stress what usually comes into our minds? None of the good things that come with it, I am sure. And perhaps you are even asking yourself if there are any. My answer is there are. But before we get to that, let us first define stress. Stress is biochemical reaction in our bodies. It is caused by Cortisol, a hormone produced by our adrenal glands; somewhat similar to fight or flight. Cortisol causes our eyes to dilate and our heart to pump faster. It increases our heart rate and blood sugar levels. In some studies, stress is considered to be one of the major factors of 80 percent of major illnesses. Perhaps the logic behind this being that Cortisol suppresses the immune system. However, Cortisol is not all that bad. Like all things, it has two sides. The hormone also helps us stay focused, keep us energized, and keeps us on our toes. Have you ever experienced being stressed out running after a deadline and yet surprisingly, you find that you are able to get the job done with unexpected concentration? This is one of the good effects of Cortisol.

Now, let us get to a more specific type of stress: Occupational or work stress. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines job stress as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Stress also occurs when the situation has high demands and the worker has little or no control over it. Job stress can lead to poor health and injury. However, without stress we'd be unable to react to situations quickly.

Now how does one manage this type of stress? What are the symptoms? The most common symptoms negativism, low morale, fatigues, depression, irritability, physical illness or discomfort such as headaches and neck pains. There are even some instances where stress led to suicide and injury.

There are many reasons for work related stress. One most common reason is when the characteristics of the worker and his capabilities do not match or are not enough to meet the demands of the job. Stressful working conditions also lead to occupational stress. Having a bully in the workplace also leads to tremendous amount of stress and emotional distress. Having employees who are overburdened with tasks also experience stress overload. How tasks are being distributed among people and its design can also contribute to stress. Management style is also a factor and even career concerns such as stability and compensation lead to or contribute to psychological and emotional stress. Poor communication, air and noise pollution within the organization also add to stress. Job related stress has been a known contributing factor to cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological disorders and ulcers. The next question is how does one deal with job related stress?

There are many ways to do so but there are also two most common ways to deal with job related stress: organizational change and stress management. In fairness to the two, they both greatly reduce stress.

Organizational change is the most direct way to reduce stress but is also the most expensive and difficult path to choose even if it deals with the root cause of stress at work. Identifying key persons and implementing strategy designs may arouse conflict or interpersonal clash between people involved. Organizational change also causes changes in work routines and in the process hinder production or lower productivity levels and in extreme cases, causes a change in organizational structure. Stress management sessions and seminars have the advantage of being easily achievable and inexpensive but the benefits are often short-lived because it ignores important root cause/s of stress.

A combination of the two approaches provides the most comprehensive approach because it takes care of the root problem and manages to rapidly lower stress levels and its effects.

So why is handling stress important? And how does one prevent work related stress? On an organizational level there are three basic steps: identification, intervention and evaluation. On a personal level, the employee or the business owner should learn to balance work and personal life. Leave work at work and home at home. Finding a balance in life is never easy but the end result is a less stressful and a more fulfilling life.