Workplace Stress During COVID-19

Stress can be defined as a physical or emotional condition arising from any events or thoughts that trigger feelings of frustration, anger, or nervousness. One particular form of stress which is relevant to organizations is workplace stress. Colligan and Higgins (2006) characterize workplace stress as a response by an individual’s physical and mental states due to working in a place that poses hazards and detrimental challenges to an employee.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and overwhelming for everyone and has brought various challenges in the work environment. The daily routines have changed, and people are still adapting to new ways of living.

So, what are these challenges that people face?

Work from home – Many of us are working full time in social isolation, without seeing our boss, colleagues, and other fellow workers. Although this may reduce any personal grudges that we may have against them and give us the feeling that we have so much time in our hands, this is really the first time you are working without someone giving you guidance face-to-face. In addition, people tend to overwork due to fear of losing their jobs and this leads to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, in other words, BURNOUT.
Less Manpower, More Output – As the financial crisis is hitting the road, many people are losing their jobs. Thus, many roles and responsibilities have been shifted to the existing people in the workplace. Lots of expectations are imposed on them and most of them are required to meet their targets within a limited deadline. They have to adjust to new schedules which takes time and effort. This has marked the onset of chronic stress for many people which is known to affect the body by increasing the level of stress hormone which in turn increases the heart rate and blood pressure, which takes a great toll on the body.
Adjustment to new tools and technology – This pandemic has marked the rise in the use of technology in the form of online meetings, discussions, and so on. Individuals may not be acquainted with the use of these tools and would still be in the learning stage. Besides, many interruptions may arise at home which may lead to disconnection with the team and miscommunication. Not everyone has access to the internet 24/7 and this is the biggest drawback of working online. On the other hand, introverts may feel communicating with their colleagues online, and would not clear any misunderstandings or share their ideas effectively.
Double work (Managing children and household along with their jobs) – A majority of the people are working parents and breadearners of the family. They may find it difficult to balance their work, take care of the household, and care for their children all at the same time due to the absence of additional assistance. This would make them experience conflicting feelings and priorities. Children respond to stress in different ways. They would initially be happy that they are not going to school, but over time, isolation from friends and disruption in their routine would make them unusually active and aggressive. Thus, it is crucial to develop strategies to take care of oneself, the children, and the household.
Last, but not the least, Concern about what the future would hold for us !!

How do we tackle this stress?

Take a break from the news cycle – Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting and mentally exhausting. It is good to stay informed but don’t let the news consume you. A continuous stream of distressing news raises your stress levels and worries—and leads to long term consequences on your physical health as well according to an article published in ‘Health Psychology’. One way of balancing the news that you hear is by combining the news that you hear about the pandemic with the news that offers encouragement and positive news in overcoming this situation.
Design a plan – Make a schedule and stay on track with it. According to NIH News in Health, this method can help you convert your daily goals into realistic and productive ones. Using a mobile app is very effective in tracking your habits and daily routine like exercising, diet, and sleep patterns. In addition, online self-development tools can help you measure your strengths and weaknesses, set targets and remainders, and celebrate milestones. Or you may even prefer the habit of writing journals or personal diaries as this boosts your memory and enhances creativity.
Talk to people – Don’t feel that you would burden them with your worries as you are not only one trying to tackle the situation. Speak to your managers and request a meeting with them to discuss your problems such as word overload and immediate deadlines. Ask them for additional support and this would not only be beneficial to you but would also help other members of your company or organization who are facing similar problems. Secondly, don’t forget your family members and friends as they are the ones who give you comfort and support during this tough situation. Talk and laugh with them. This is the time when you can build strong relationships with them.
Reach out to others – Help people who are in need through volunteering as this gives a sense of purpose in our lives during this stressful time. You can help people just by staying at home through donations. Even a friendly text or video call would be beneficial for someone.
Practice mindfulness– According to an article in ‘Personality and Individual Differences’, mindfulness is about focusing on your current experience and openly accepting it with curiosity. This helps us to observe our thoughts and feelings without any judgment. Most of us are capable of multitasking, but research shows that this makes you less effective. This is when mindfulness is essential. If a manager is not able to focus, the negative emotions will influence the decision-making process. Therefore, those who are able to master the ability to think mindfully would be able to focus on a current meeting or given task without thinking about their past experiences. You become more disciplined and think much clearer than others.