#1308, Workplace Stress, Reaching Out After Awhile

Happy Thursday!
We are almost to the end of the week! Bernadette is filled with energy after her morning workout with One Life Radio resident fitness expert Tina Bernet Allen! We are all blessed here today. Dewone Bennett is here to talk workplace stress. Kip Watson
Dewone Bennett

Dewone Bennett is a Licensed Professional Counselor with two masters degrees and over 12 years of counseling experience. He currently has his own practice, Dewone Bennett Counseling in Dallas, TX. He believes that the key to mental and behavioral success is the ability to master self-awareness and emotional control. You can find Dewone on Instagram @dewone.bennett_counseling.

Workplace Stress From At Home and In The Office
The Office
American's biggest stressors are work related! First we'll talk about working at the office. Especially now with employment rate fluctuating and being up in the air, workplace stress and the stress to get and maintain a job are rising. High demanding jobs can also be really stressful! Money, harassment, and more are other factors that contribute to workplace stress in the office. Another office stressor is trying to find a job with flexible hours, so you can make it to important things like your children's recitals. Harassment especially for women is hard, but Dewone stresses, always say something. The #MeToo movement is still alive and well.

When you have workplace stress. you have three choices. First thing you can do is remove yourself from the job. Second is you change it. Apply for promotions that will compensate you accordingly. The third thing you can do is to accept it. It is unfortunate that we have to be faced with choices that affect our wallet, but always do what is best for your well being and psyche. Bernadette asks how to measure stress and when to know when to take action. When you see yourself starting to have bad habits, like over eating or over sleeping, look back at your life, so keep it real. In preparation for going back into the office after COVID-19, start introducing yourself back into society gradually, so you won't get socially shocked when going back to a desk.
Home
Workplaces expect productivity to increase since people are being able to work from home in some jobs. That puts stress on people! Sitting at your computer for 12 hours at a time versus 8 When you work at home, there is a key factor that is being removed from the "workplace." If someone is an introvert, they used to get their socialization from going to their 9-5! Now, personability is being removed. 46% of people who work from home are more stressed than 25% percent that work in the office at the same job. Working from home affects your habits! Whatever you may have done to get yourself ready for the work day is gone, so their energy is down. Structure is lost when working from home. We also must realize that familiarity breeds contempt. Working from home could cause discrepancies and issues in your romantic and children relationships. Sometimes we just need a break!

In a world where we have to deal with supervisors making stronger demands, do not be afraid to go to HR. Find a safe place at work, whether it is at home or in the office. Manage your interpersonal conflict and don't let it be brushed aside. The first thing you want to do when having a problem with your coworker is to know your feelings. Learn how and why you feel that way. And at the end of the day, you might just have to stay away from that person. Avoid gossiping! Ask if the information you are about to be told is useful and factual. That will keep you out of workplace conflicts, whether it's at home with your partner or in the office with your boss.
Kip Watson

Kip Watson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor, Sports Psychology Professional, and Certified High Performance Coach. She holds two Master’s degrees and has nearly 20 years of experience working with athletes, coaches, families, and corporate teams.