8 signs you are suffering from work stress

A little bit of pressure at work is good for you, but there is absolutely no health benefit to being too stressed at work, says Joan Kingsley, a consultant clinical and organisational therapist.

Kingsley spent 25 years researching workplace psychology and co-authored a book, ‘The Fear-free Organization: Vital Insights from Neuroscience to Transform Your Business Culture’ – which draws attention to the need for senior staff to appreciate how fear may be ruling their organisations and how this is affecting their teams, prohibiting the development of new ideas, creativity and unlimited potential.

She has come up with 8 signs that you are suffering from stress at work:

• Feeling panicky
• Being unable to focus
• Feeling like you can’t cope
• Having difficulty staying in the moment
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Having a dry mouth
• Getting butterflies
• A racing heartbeart 

“You have to think about what kind of person you are and if you normally get stressed. For instance, I work well under pressure. If I have a deadline, I work best when the deadline is approaching. Some people need to plan more ahead of time,” Kingsley says.

“You shouldn’t be working more than 90 minutes at any one time. It’s been proven that the brain cannot concentrate for more, so after that time you need a break. You won’t be functioning well.”