Stress at work: what to do?

How to define it?

According to the National Interprofessional Agreement (ANI) of July 2, 2008 ¹ , " a state of stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the perception that a person has of the constraints imposed on him by his environment and the perception that he has of its own resources to deal with it. The individual is able to handle short-term pressure , but has great difficulty with prolonged or repeated exposure to intense pressure .

Understand and identify

The human body is constantly trying to adapt to its environment. Faced with a stressful situation , Hans Selye defines what he calls “the general adaptation syndrome” (1935) by 3 physiological mechanisms: alarm, resistance and exhaustion.

What's going on in my body?

During the first physiological response “the alarm”, the body prepares to face the constraint or to flee it.

At this time, our body will release catecholamines (including adrenaline). They will make it possible to awaken a state of “vigilance” (increase in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, etc.) which allows the individual to make decisions and respond quickly ² .

During the second phase, “resistance”, the body will secrete glucocorticoids. These hormones will allow the body to mobilize the carbohydrates it has in reserve and make them available to our organs. In this way, he prepares for a possible energy expenditure that the constraint or flight will require.

The last phase, “exhaustion”, occurs when the stressful situation is prolonged or intensifies. The body struggles to draw the carbohydrates it needs, the self-regulation of glucocorticoids fades. The body takes on harmful hormones like cortisol. The body becomes exhausted and many complications can set in.

How does stress manifest itself?

In the short term, stress can manifest itself in palpitations, sweating, dizziness, difficulty in making thoughtful decisions, a feeling of oppression.

In the long term, chronic stress can be manifested by headaches, dermatological problems, sleep disorders, appetite, emotion (anxiety attack, feeling of ill-being, nervousness), disturbance of concentration, lack of productivity, etc.

This will have repercussions at all levels, professional and family environment and on health. It is important to find solutions!

How to manage stress at work?

First, identify the root cause of your stress . It can be linked to an overload of work, hierarchical pressure, a lack of communication between colleagues, poor management of one's working time...

Then, understand it in its entirety to implement solutions. The solutions will be specific to each person, but once the source of stress is identified , they will appear more obvious.

Our tips:

• Don't neglect communication! Whether between colleagues or with your superiors, it is essential!
• Make your workspace your own: plants, photos, trinkets… things that reassure you and help you feel good in your workspace.
• Limit bringing work to your home as much as possible! The brain needs to disconnect, it is important to create a break between the professional environment and the personal environment.
• Find a sport you like! Sport helps regulate cortisol, it will help you manage your stress and help the brain to stall. In addition, sport increases social interactions and self-confidence.
• Think about your food hygiene! It will help you maintain good energy and help prevent symptoms of fatigue .

You can also turn to alternative medicine to relieve your work stress . Meditation and yoga are known to release tension. Herbal teas or herbal infusions can also soothe and improve sleep . Others prefer to turn to essential oil diffusers.

Some food supplements offer a blend of plants that help regulate stress. TheHerba Mig supplement is a natural anti-stress , based on Willow and Grand Chamomile extract. The combination of these two plants allows this product to intervene at the level of the nervous system by promoting mental appeasement and helps to reduce stress .

Find our complete range to fight against stress and anxiety.

Bibliographic references:

1. National interprofessional agreement. Stress at work. Agreement of 2 July 2008 relating to stress at work . Ministry of Labour, Social Relations, Family, Solidarity and the City. Collective agreement, 2009/2; p. 117-121.
2. SANDOR SZABO (1998). Hans Selye and the Development of the Stress Concept: Special Reference to Gastroduodenal Ulcerogenesis., 851(none), 19–27.