Stress can have adverse side effects, even if what you’re stressing out about is positive.
For example, many people experience stress due to their work, even work they love.
Steve Maraboli, a military veteran and philanthropist, said, “I promise you nothing is as chaotic as it seems. Nothing is worth diminishing your health. Nothing is worth poisoning yourself into stress, anxiety, and fear.”
Yet, just like eating too much chocolate cake, chronic work stress can weigh you down mentally and physically if you don’t practice moderation.
Physical symptoms of experiencing chronic stress can include such markers as an increased risk of high blood pressure, hormonal imbalance, digestive issues, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, insomnia, body aches, heart attack, and stroke.
The mental impact comes alongside the physical, bringing with it increased anxiety, depression, increased addictive behaviors, mood swings, and more.
Whether you’re exhausted or elated, your body can be on high alert, vacillating in a fight-flight-freeze response.
Not surprisingly, a new study that followed 5,900 people over 18 years found that work-related stressors can increase the likelihood of AFib, per KERA. AFib can result in complications such as blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related issues.
Atrial fibrillation, often referred to as AFib or AF, is a heart condition characterized by a rapid and irregular heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia.
The American Heart Association (AHA) predicts that more than 12 million individuals will have AFib by 2030.
According to the AHA, typical signs of AFib consist of overall tiredness, fast and irregular heartbeats, palpitations or a sensation of “thumping” in the chest, lightheadedness, breathlessness, tiredness during physical activity, sweating, and more — however, not everyone with AFib experiences symptoms.
Suggestions on how to reduce work-related stress are the same ones we have known forever: keep your weight within a healthy range, exercise, practice mindfulness, and watch your diet. The issue is doing these things consistently.
The American Psychological Association perhaps said it best: “Working hard should not be confused with overworking at the expense of relationships and physical health.”
A work-life balance is critical and can involve paying attention to how much of your thinking is positive versus negative, managing your time, prioritizing sleep, eating properly, learning what relaxation strategies work for you, taking your PTO days, letting go of perfectionism, and becoming aware of your triggers.
Sounds easy, right?
Perhaps the key is simply taking the next best step to honor your physical and mental health.