Please verify your email address to receive email notifications.

Enter your email address

We have sent you a verification email. Please check your inbox and spam folder.

Unable to send verification, please refresh and try again later.

  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the most effective method to cope with workplace stress?

    More specifically, stress related to the workplace and the debt burden that so many 30 something males have assumed.
  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • 1

    Agree

    Joe Gubbay

    Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor, Psychologist, Psychotherapist

    I have worked in public hospitals as well as private practice over the past 25 years. As a clinical psychologist I treat depression, social anxiety, … View Profile

    Hi, no simple answer to that question. Workplace stress comes in different shapes and sizes, and ways to cope will depend on the type of stress.  For example, if you're getting stressed about how well you're performing when the objective indicators are that you're doing well, then strategies to straighten out your thinking can help. The assumption is that distorted or rigid thought patterns result in unwarranted emotional reactions such as anxiety or depression.  Sometimes, the problem is that work becomes your whole life - all too often we don't respect our need for enjoyment in life. Making sure you're doing some regular exercise, eating reasonably, and finding the time to do what you enjoy will help you to see work in a more balanced way. 

    Often, we find ourselves in jobs with bosses who are unreasonable, or teams that are destructive.  Sometimes, the sensible thing to do is change jobs.  

    Regarding a debt burden - debt can have a big impact by increasing the pressure to make money, or to hold on to your job. There are reasons we take on debt though - keeping in mind the benefits can help when faced with the daily battle to bring in the dollars.  

    Remember that stress isn't usually a bad thing - it all depends on your perception of your ability to cope with it. Reducing the objective stress load, or increasing your confidence that you can manage, can make all the difference.  

    So in short, I can't give you one sure-fire way to cope with workplace stress.  Consult with a health professional such as a clinical psychologist / psychologist if you want advice and strategies that are tailored to your circumstances.  

  • Georgina Watts

    Counsellor, Psychotherapist

    I am passionate about journeying with people on their road to wholeness. I work with males and females who are needing to work on self … View Profile

    I agree with the previous answer that workplace stress can come in many guises and therefore will have various possibilities in treating it. Speaking with a counsellor/psychologist is the best option so you can have personally tailored assistance rather than anything that's supposed to fit everyone but in reality fits no-one.

    While it may feel like you want to scream or punch your boss/customer it's probably not the best stress relief solution. Relaxation and mindfulness practices can help the situation and are always great tools to have in life anyway.

    The debt issue will exacerbate the stress if it is out of hand and the best solution for that would be to talk with a financial adviser or financial counsellor.

  • OsteopathyMyofascial ReleaseAcupuncture Voice Dialogue facilitator View Profile

    I believe that the most important issue is the lack of self-awareness. If we go into the workplace without this, and I mean being able to embrace our inner voices such as the critic, pleaser, protector, high achiever etc then we are open to judgement from many levels. This then feeds these primary energies and it cna rock our internal boat. Balancing the primary and disowned sub personalities is vital.

answer this question

You must be a Health Professional to answer this question. Log in or Sign up .

You may also like these related questions

Empowering Australians to make better health choices