WE all know what getting stressed at work feels like physically. Your palms get sweaty , your thoughts begin to race, and perhaps you're forced to make a last-minute dash to the toilet before a big meeting. 1 Work-related stress can leave you more susceptible to fertility issues Credit: Getty But what many of us aren't aware of is how stress can mess with our insides, sometimes leaving our organs in a bit of a mess.
Yep, those long hours and thankless tasks might be doing more than just giving you a headache . A new study has revealed stress can damage your heart and increase your risk of heart disease. When you look at how many Brits experience work-related stress, this is a big issue.
Read more on stress EAT O'CLOCK From fruit before dinner to when to have coffee - exact times you should eat According to the Health and Safety Executive, stress is now one of the most common causes of long-term sick leave at work. And, along with work-related anxiety , it accounted for more than 17 million working days lost in the UK in 2021/22, or 51 per cent of all cases of work-related illnesses in the UK in the same year. Here are some of the ways stress is wreaking havoc with your body: 1.
The heart Getting stressed out at work can double your risk of developing a potentially deadly irregular heartbeat . Most read in Health VIRAL THREAT First case of new mpox strain hits Europe after WHO declares global emergency ARMS UP Millions to be offered life-saving new jab free on the NHS - are you eligible? TRAGIC END Girl, 13, went to bed but never woke up after telling mum she felt 'really sick' 'WE FEEL NUMB' Dad, 47, diagnosed with incurable cancer just 2 days after his baby was born Scientists from Laval University in Quebec, Canada, found that people dealing with high job strain and not getting much enjoyment out of their work are way more likely to develop atrial fibrillation—commonly known as AF or AFib. Summer Struggles: Relationship Burnout This is the most common type of arrhythmia, where your heart rhythm goes a bit haywire.
And it’s no small matter—AFib can lead to strokes, heart failure, and other serious heart issues. In the UK alone, around 1.4million people are estimated to have AF, and while it can strike at any age, it’s more common in older adults—especially men.
The study of office workers showed that the combination of high job strain and a low reward for effort had the greatest impact. Together they were associated with a 97 per cent higher risk of developing the irregular heartbeat condition compared to workers not exposed to stress. 2.
The brain It feels rather obvious that getting stressed out in any setting might affect the brain. In fact, one recent study found that work-related stresses, specifically: job insecurity, overwhelming workloads, and inadequate support from supervisors, can make you 50 per cent likely to develop depression. Around one in six Brits suffers depression, with women about twice as likely to have mental health problem.
It is the most common mental health issue in older people, with around 22 per cent of men and 28 per cent of women aged 65 or over affected. Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, also revealed that long-term exposure can also exacerbate existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety or bipolar disorder . Things like lack of control over work tasks and minimal recognition for hard work were identified as major contributors to a stressful environment.
3. Fertility Work-related stress doesn’t just mess with your mood, it can also affect your ability to have children. A study published in the journal American Journal of Epidemiology found that women who reported feeling "very stressed" at work had a 29 per cent lower chance of becoming pregnant compared to those who were less stressed.
The scientists from Ohio University highlighted that stress disrupts ovulation in women and affects sperm quality in men, potentially making it more difficult for couples to conceive. The hormones released during stress, such as cortisol, can interfere with the reproductive system, throwing things off balance. 4.
Immunity Ever noticed how a stressful week at work seems to coincide with a runny nose or a nasty cold? Well, as it turns out stress might be making you more susceptible to illness. A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , found that chronic stress can undermine our immune defences . This is because when you're stressed out, your body releases cortisol - which, in small doses can actually help manage stress.
But when stress becomes a long-term issue, these elevated cortisol levels can suppress the immune system’s effectiveness. This means your body’s ability to fend off infections is compromised, making you more prone to catching colds, flu, or even more serious illnesses. The study revealed this effect is linked to stress-induced inflammation .
Chronic stress can lead to a state of ongoing inflammation, which not only weakens your immune system but also disrupts its normal function. Read more on the Scottish Sun DONUT BE JELLY 'Scotland's best bakery' opens Glasgow branch right next door to GREGGS NEW LOOK Andy Murray looks unrecognisable as he shares bizarre new retirement routine This can lead to a range of health problems, from frequent bouts of illnesses to slower recovery times. If you're struggling with stress, you can contact contact Samaritans .
Call 116 123 or email: [email protected] if you need someone to talk to. The simple way to slash your stress levels and make you feel happier backed by science JUST one chat a day with a mate is enough to slash your stress levels, scientists say.
Even texting or an online messaging exchange can make you feel happier, a study suggests. A need for social connection is hard-wired into us so conversations release feel-good hormones. However, polls suggest almost half of us dedicate only an hour to loved ones on one day a week — or no time at all.
The US study found people are less likely to feel stressed at the end of the day if they have had a natter — even if it is just joking around. Its author, Professor Jeffrey Hall, said: “It matters who you talk to — talking with people you like and are close to improves wellbeing more than with people you don’t know or don’t like.” He set up experiments with 907 subjects, who were told to try different socialising tasks.
Each was asked to have a conversation with a friend at some time during the day — or not — then report back in the evening. This was repeated in three phases with different people over two years. Chats included deep conversations, catching up or light-hearted banter.
The study subjects who interacted were 60 per cent more likely to say that their stress level s had reduced, compared to those who had not. More time spent blowing off steam was linked to a stronger stress -busting effect, but just one talk per day was enough to have an impact. The effect was stronger after face-to-face conversations, but phone calls and online interactions also boosted people’s mood.
.
