Spotting and addressing early signs of an issue can prevent it escalating. If employees raise an issue and managers are confident and capable of taking action, then early intervention is preferable. The hse has produced the talking toolkit to help managers start a conversation with their employees in identifying stressors (risks) to help manage and prevent work-related stress. Employers should invest in:
developing a supportive work culture to encourage staff to discuss and seek support when experiencing stress.
Providing, and signposting to, sources of support, for example a counselling service, employee assistance programme and charities. Developing the people management skills and confidence of managers so they can have sensitive conversations with staff.
Even with a good self-management plan, sometimes you may need more support. A mental health professional can be a great resource, but they’re particularly important to see more urgently if you have thoughts of self-harm or feel drawn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. Seek help right away if you have suicidal thoughts. Call your healthcare provider or the national suicide prevention lifeline: 1-800-273-talk (8255). Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or go to the nearest emergency room. Remember: chronic stress is something many people experience, but it doesn’t mean you have to slog through it, and certainly not alone.
What to do if you are struggling with stress
If you’re concerned about your cat’s behaviour and are struggling to reduce stress, you might be referred to a qualified behaviourist who can identify the underlying cause of the stress and design a tailored behavioural plan for your cat. Make sure the behaviourist belongs to a regulated body like the animal behaviour and training council. They’ll be able to focus on the issue with your cat’s behaviour and help them (and you) to manage. One way to help reduce stress is a plug-in pheromone diffuser like feliway. You simply plug it in the room where your cat spends most of their time (the living room, for example) and it can help them to reduce their anxiety.
Stress—also known as psychological stress—describes what people experience when they are under mental, physical, or emotional pressure. Stressors—factors that can cause stress—can arise from people’s daily responsibilities and routines, including work, family, and finances. Other stressors include external factors such as early life adversity, exposure to certain environmental conditions, poverty, discrimination, and inequities in the social determinants of health. Serious health issues, such as a cancer diagnosis in oneself or a close friend or family member, can also cause stress. The body responds to external stressors by releasing stress hormones (such as epinephrine and norepinephrine ) that increase blood pressure , heart rate, and blood sugar levels.