PrintWork-related stress can cause heart disease, alcohol-related illnesses, ulcers and emotional problems. Too much stress can even make you gain weight! Workers' compensation claims related to stress have tripled since 1980. Nationwide stress covers $150 billion each year in health care costs and lost productivity.
Common causes for stress in PSRPs:
• The growing danger of physical violence and theft of property (see School Security).
• Harassment by supervisors or administrators including sexual harassment.
• A poor physical environment--including crowded classrooms and cramped work space. Maintenance personnel who work in noisy work rooms and boiler areas are also under stress.
Stressed workers generally feel unhappy. They are usually easily irritated at work and home, quick to anger, fatigued, lethargic and depressed. They tend to smoke more, drink alcohol and use drugs as ways to relieve their job stress.
Physical symptoms include headaches, gastrointestinal problems, lower back pain, insomnia and rapid loss or gain of weight. If little is done to reduce the stress, workers can become seriously ill.
|
What you can do: The best thing that workers can do to relieve stress is to share their feelings with co-workers, family and friends as well as the union. Isolation can make stress-related problems worse. Support can help reduce the stress. Other ways that may help include: • Exercising--take a walk with a co-worker, friend or family member, three to four times a week. • Eating the right foods--sugar, salt, fat and alcohol all contribute to drowsiness, headaches and irritability. • Finding ways to relax that don't involve alcohol and drugs. Quiet time every day (20 minutes at least) away from the demands of school and family can help relieve stress. Other stress relievers include bubble baths and music. Workers have reported that prayer and meditation have helped them reduce their stress levels. |
