Dr. David Posen, Author & Stress Expert, on Workplace Stress

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Disciplined for Life, Author Bob Urichuck

Interested in lowering your stress levels this spring??

Well, Dr. David Posen, noted stress expert and lifestyle coach, recently released a new book titled, Is Work Killing You? A Doctor’s Prescription for Treating Workplace Stress.

A recent Globe and Mail article reports the four main facts that Dr. Posen believes act as a starting point for any conversation on stress at work:

“1) Workplaces are making people sick.

2) Not enough people are talking about it, and when they do, nobody’s listening.

3) Much of the time and effort put in by stressed-out workers is actually unproductive, so it makes more sense to focus them on important matters and cut back their hours, so their health and productivity will improve.

4) Many of the solutions aren’t complicated.”

 

The need for change is a no-brainer to Dr. Posen: “It’s like having 50 employees in a hot room, expecting each one to endure the heat or somehow cool off. Wouldn’t it make more sense for their employer to turn down the heat, open the windows, turn on a fan, or crank up the air conditioning? The problems are systemic. The solutions need to be systemic as well.”

And in a related article, The Toronto Star shares Dr. Posen’s top five tips for addressing workplace stress in your own life:

 

“1. Give yourself a time out

Research shows our energy comes in two-hour cycles, but many people don’t take breaks and try to power through the day, says Posen. If you’re hitting the wall — which often happens after 90 minutes of work — try just taking a break…

2. Adjust your bedtime

Most adults need eight to nine hours of sleep a night. “When people start to get the sleep they need, even if the problems in the workplace continue, they will feel better and they will function better, and they will handle the stress at work better,” says Posen…

3. Sweat it out

Any workout will help reduce stress, and aerobic exercise is the best, because “you’re getting rid of a lot of that extra stress energy,” says Posen…

4. Stop trying to multi-task

Posen likens multi-tasking to talking with your mouth full. “(Multi-tasking is) not something that should be extolled or encouraged. It’s actually a bad habit to get into, and people would be much more productive if they stopped doing it.” …

5. Share the workload

Ask yourself who could — and should — be doing some of your tasks…Posen explains: When people get a chance to share the work, they’re likely to feel that they have made a contribution, and will be more engaged…”

 

 

When you think about stress in your own workplace, what are some ways your company can pro-actively support employees?

As an employee, which of these tips is most important for you to implement?

 

 

 

 

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