Stress: the signs, causes and how to manage it
What is stress?
Stress is not the same for everybody. What is stressful for one person may not be stressful for another. Stress can sometimes be good for us and we all need a certain amount of stress to keep us sharp and motivated. But people's ability to deal with stress and pressure is not limitless and while a reasonable level of stress may help you to become more alert and focused, excessive stress can have serious long-term effects on both health and work performance.
There are many potential causes of stress and not all of them will be work-related. Potential ‘stressors’ can include:
- difficulties with relationships (at home or at work)
- lack of job security
- work overload
- financial problems
Our ability to deal with stressors varies according to how we are feeling and how many other stressors we have at the time. Find out more about potential causes of stress.
A small amount of stress is often experienced as a challenge, but when stress becomes overwhelming we start to feel unwell and unable to cope.
How can you recognise the signs of stress?
Attitudes towards stress
Society’s attitude towards stress has changed as more of us have become aware of it. To be suffering from stress is no longer considered a stigma and sufferers nowadays can expect help and sympathy from friends and colleagues alike. It has been estimated that up to 80 million working days a year are lost to stress-related illness of one kind or another, so if you are feeling ‘stressed out’ you can be sure of one thing - you’re not alone!
Ways to help deal with stress
The University has a number of initiatives to help you deal with stress from a range of sources. These are listed below with details on how to obtain further information.
- Training Dealing with Stress is a course run by Staff Learning and Development, which considers sources of stress which may impact on performance at work, addresses your own particular sources of personal stress and some techniques for managing your own stress. Further information can be found on the courses and resources webpages.
- Get support The University's Occupational Health Service exists to support staff through any health related issue and can advise individuals on services available inside and external to the University. A staff counselling service is available in partnership with Devon County Council's Wellbeing at Work service. Further information on the counselling service can be found on the Occupational Health website.
- Mindful Employer WorkWAYS is an Exeter organisation that has many useful links with the University. Particularly, it is involved in the Mindful Employer initiative. Given that a certain amount of stress is part of working life, an important area of awareness to develop is managing your levels. They have developed a useful resourceto help staff manage stress.
- Get support if you're being affected by harassment The recently relaunched harassment policy has useful information.
- The Harassment Adviser’s Network is a group of trained members of staff who are available for consultations with individuals who may be feeling harassed by a work situation. Advisers are able to support individual through various solutions, these may include use of the University’s Harassment Policy or signposting to other services/agencies. The list of advisers is available on the equality and diversitywebsite.
- Get equal opportunities information For information on equal opportunity activities in the University, visit our equality and diversity pages.
- Discussion The Equality and Diversity Manager, Dorcas Cowan, runs consultation groups for a range of diverse interests. Staff can join groups to meet and discuss; race, disability, gender, sexuality and other equality and diversity issue. Contact Dorcas Cowan for details.
- Get active The University runs a range of sport and wellness activities which any members of staff are welcome to join. These activities include lunchtime walking or jogging, gym and circuits sessions and weight management classes. There are also fitness classes.
- See also our staff guidance on stress.
