JOB STRESS: THE NUMBER ONE ENEMY OF OUR HEALTH

In the society in which we live where speed, immediacy of changes 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 detrimental effects of stress on our health and well, now that bosses don't listen to us, many times the main source of stress is work.

Maybe you know what we're talking about or maybe you don't. 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 fit their knowledge and abilities, and that test their ability to cope with the situation. " .

Being subjected to certain pressure or setting new challenges is something positive in the workplace, as it helps us stay alert and increase motivation. But you know, like everything, if we go too far 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 of you who don't know how to identify, the body gives us certain ''hints'' of what is happening inside us. Some indicators may be :

• Emotional : which appear in the form of sadness, apathy, low self-esteem or irritability, among others.
• Thinking : lack of ability to concentrate or make decisions, recurrent forgetfulness, etc.
• Behavioral : emotional explosions, alterations in appetite, inability to rest well...
• Work: related to all aspects or behaviors that may affect good performance in the job.

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 them.

Take out paper and pen:

1.- Locate its origin 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 in us.

2.- Allow ourselves some healthy whim. Generally, one tends to react to pressure with an excessive intake of high-calorie and low-satisfying foods.

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

It is a 100% healthy shake but hey, we assure you that you have EVER tasted such a good chocolate shake.

3.- Learn to ask for help when needed. We cannot always carry out all the tasks we would like in the time we had established, if this is the case, do not hesitate to ask your work team for help or opinion. Four eyes always see more than two!

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

5.- Dedicate time to ourselves. Just as important as taking care of your family, your job or your pet is taking care of yourself. Take time, even just 10 minutes a day, to do what you like: taking a walk, having a very warm coffee or listening to your favorite music... this will help keep serotonin levels in the 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 the ones with the most evidence are ashwagandha and Andean maca used by Indian Ayurveda Medicine and the Incas for hundreds of years.

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

As you have read, we must take stress seriously, since if we do not it will seriously affect our physical and mental health. By applying the techniques that 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, let us know in the comments.