The stress of work and relationships that working people feel. Excessive stress requires countermeasures, but it has been reported that performance declines even in a stress-free environment. Including a commentary on the “Yerkees-Dodson Law”, we will introduce concrete ways to reduce excessive stress and make good use of moderate stress.
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Aptitude, Pressure, Human Relationships …… Job Stress for Workers
Working people have more or less stress and worries in their work. I receive various consultations at counseling, but I feel that the following three things are often behind work worries.
1. Mismatch between job content and own aptitude/hope
If you are in a job that doesn’t suit you in the first place, such as a sales job even though you are not good at speaking, or a technical job even though you are clumsy, you will naturally be stressed. In addition, there are cases in which the actual work is different from what was expected, even though it was a job that they longed for, but they were not interested in it, or they felt that it was uninteresting because the experience they had learned was not being utilized even though they chose a job based on their university major. It’s not uncommon.
2. Too much responsibility and too busy
A case of being entrusted with tasks with heavy responsibility, such as guiding subordinates or being a project leader, and being under a lot of pressure. In addition, there are cases where you have to turn several tasks at the same time and have no time to breathe. In such a case, I have to think about work even after work and on holidays, and I often worry that work is always on my mind.
3. You have relationship problems
at work It’s hard to work in the same space for long hours with people you don’t get along with. This is especially true in workplaces where there is strong pressure to conform to others, such as “you should do the same according to those around you.” Some people have serious problems such as being isolated and isolated, power harassment, sexual harassment, and workplace bullying.
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Advantages of Moderate Stress, Disadvantages of Low and High Stress
If the cause of stress is black work, power harassment, sexual harassment, or other problems that should be improved on a workplace-by-workplace basis, there is a limit to how much individual efforts can be made to improve them. It will be necessary to try to solve the problem by reporting it to a consultation desk inside or outside the workplace.
However, even if those problems are improved, it is difficult to eliminate work stress in the first place. Also, the idea that “stress is bad” or “stress should be eliminated” is not correct. In fact, the stress-free state is not necessarily the best environment.
There is a theory called “Yerkees-Dodson law” to know how to deal with stress.
Psychologists Yerkes and J.D. Dotson measured differences in performance by giving electric shocks to rats trained to perform certain tasks. This experiment proved that there is an inverted U-shaped functional relationship between arousal level and performance.
In other words, if the “low arousal level” (relaxed, relaxed state) with too little stress continues, there will be too little tension and motivation will not occur. Conversely, if you continue to be in a “high arousal level” (a tense state) with too much stress, you will be mentally exhausted and will not be able to proceed with your work efficiently.
Therefore, too little or too much stress can reduce productivity. When you are in a “moderate arousal level” with moderate stress, the moderate tension will be a good stimulus and the maximum performance will be exhibited.
How to avoid low-stress and high-stress situations
So what is the key to getting the right amount of stress on your side? If you are a low-stress type, be conscious of incorporating stress into your work life. On the other hand, people with high stress types should consciously escape from stress. Then you can keep a moderate stress state. I will tell you the recommended stress countermeasures for each type.
1. For low-stress types: Tips for moderately incorporating stress
・Set concrete goals for performance and achievements, and strive to
achieve them. make an effort. Think and practice what you can do to improve teamwork.
・Challenging qualifications and tests for self-improvement
Aiming for growth in work, attend schools and study groups. Aiming to acquire qualifications and pass exams, etc.
・Tell her strict boss to teach
her, “I want you to train yourself for this purpose” and receive advice. Work hard until the boss appreciates you.
2. For those with high stress…Tips to effectively escape from stress
・Forcibly take a day off by making
a reservation Once a month, you can forcibly take a day off by, for example, making a reservation for a hot spring. For example, make an appointment for a relaxation service after work and leave the office on time.
・ Do a digital detox
Even if it’s just half a day off, make time to not touch your smartphone or computer. For example, working up a sweat at a gym that restricts the use of smartphones, or working on hobbies that require you not to touch your smartphone.
Stress is the spice of life! Take advantage of small stress
Stress is called “the spice of life”. Too little and your life will be dull, too much and your life will be out of balance. By all means, let’s become a “good cook” in life, use moderate stress, and live a lively life both at work and in your private life.