Imagine a nurse. Stressed out and grinding away at another overnight shift. She lifts her heavy patient into a bed. And ends up spraining her ankle.
Imagine a social worker. On edge after dealing with an increased caseload. She gets up from her chair. And abruptly strains her back.
Imagine a truck driver. Pressured to work long hours. He falls asleep at the wheel and crashes his truck.
These aren’t your run-of-the-mill accidents while on the job. No, these are workplace accidents caused unnecessarily by stress, anxiety or fatigue. And they’re much more common than you may think.
Surveys of American workers show that a majority of people:
- Experience psychological symptoms from workplace stress regularly
- Experience physical symptoms from workplace stress regularly
- Said stress caused them to fight with people close to them
- Called in sick to work because of workplace stress
If you’re feeling stressed out, anxious, or fatigued at your job, BE CAREFUL. Here are some ways to manage stress and keep yourself safe on your job.
- Take breaks during the day: It relieves stress and momentarily sets your mind elsewhere. It might even help shed new light on a problem that’s stressing you out.
- Set boundaries during the week: It’s so easy to check work emails or texts night and day. Make it a rule to not work during certain hours of the week.
- Take days off during the year: Use your vacation days if you have them. That gives you a chance to unplug completely from work, disconnect, and unwind. You’ll come back refreshed and ready to work safely.
