JOB STRESS: THE NUMBER ONE ENEMY OF OUR HEALTH

In the society in which we live, where speed, immediacy of change and pressure for perfection prevail, let's be honest, who doesn't know the word stress? Well, although it is a term that we have sadly incorporated into our daily vocabulary, this has not always been the case.

More and more studies show the harmful effects of stress on our health and well, now that our bosses don't listen to us, many times the main source of stress is work.

You may or may not know what we are talking about. But, whether you want to combat stress or prevent it, be sure to read this post.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), work stress "is the reaction that an individual may have to work demands and pressures that do not match their knowledge and abilities, and that test their ability to cope with the situation . "

Being under pressure or setting new challenges is a positive thing in the workplace, as it helps us stay alert and increase motivation. But you know, like everything, if we go overboard it will have its consequences…

Let's see if you are stressed at work, you clearly know it most of the time, but for those who don't know how to identify it, the body gives us certain "hints" of what is happening inside us. Some indicators can be :

• Emotional : which present themselves in the form of sadness, apathy, low self-esteem or irritability, among others.
• From thought : lack of ability to concentrate or make decisions, recurrent forgetfulness, etc.
• Behavioral : emotional outbursts, appetite disturbances, inability to rest well...
• Work-related: related to all aspects or behaviors that may affect good performance at work.

We have explored in more depth what work stress is and how to know if we suffer from it, as well as its consequences on our mental and physical health. Now we are going to give you our best tips to try to avoid it.

Take out paper and pen:

1.- Identify the source of this feeling at work . For several days, it is advisable to write down in great detail (the more the better and the easier it will be to recognize) those tasks that generate this feeling.

2.- Allowing ourselves some healthy treats. Generally, we tend to react to pressure by eating excessive amounts of high-calorie, low-satiation foods.

At Baïa Food we particularly like a smoothie that we make with our organic cocoa (one dessert spoon) + 200ml of vegetable milk + 1 banana + 1 spoon of peanut butter.

It's a 100% healthy shake, but hey, we assure you that you've NEVER tried a chocolate shake this good.

3.- Learn to ask for help when you need it. We cannot always complete all the tasks we would like in the time we have set aside. If this is the case, do not hesitate to ask your team for help or advice. Four eyes always see more than two!

4.- Perform breathing techniques or conscious meditation . Meditation helps us to anchor ourselves to the present moment and breathing is a perfect ally for moments of tension. Try to start guided meditation or take a couple of deep breaths before continuing with your daily routine, you will see things more clearly.

5.- Take time for yourself. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your family, your job or your pet. Take time, even if it's just 10 minutes a day, to do what you like: go for a walk, have a nice hot cup of coffee or listen to your favourite music... this will help keep the serotonin levels in your brain high.

6.- EXTRA TIP: the magic of adaptogens

Still don't know what they are? 😳 They are substances that help us adapt to physical and emotional stress.

Some of those with the most evidence are ashwagandha and Andean maca, used by Indian Ayurvedic Medicine and the Incas for hundreds of years.

More and more up-to-date doctors and nutritionists recommend them.

As you have read, we must take stress seriously, because if we do not, it will seriously affect our physical and mental health. By applying the techniques we told you about above, your quality of life and your well-being will improve without any effort.

What are you waiting for to start taking care of yourself?

We hope this post has helped you and if you have any questions, please let us know in the comments.