The word 'stress' is derived from the Latin word 'stringere', meaning 'to draw tight'. The chronicity of work stress is nothing new and can be recognised by classic symptoms across the world including changes in eating, drinking, smoking patterns, irrtitability and moodiness, absent-mindedness, tiredness and exhaustion, anxiety and depression, and negativity and susceptibility to illness. However, puzzlingly, differences have been found in different cultures.
One phenomenon, for example, is the sudden death syndrome found particularly among Japanese executives whereby a higher proportion of Japanese chief executive offers have been found to die prematurely. It is not an exaggeration, nor a myth. For example, Japanese courts have ruled cases of employees dying from 'too much work' and in the one year period between 2006 and 2007, 147 of these cases of death from stress were acknowledged by the government. In fact, so many cases have been found there is name for it: karoshi.
Some of the hypotheses have suggested it may be caused by:
Over-identification with the employer/job - as most Japanese managers work for one firm for their entire careers
Perfectionism - as culture is such that individuals feel the need to please everyone and rise to high standards
Workaholic lifestyle - as most Japanese executives have relatively little time for family life, socialising for business purposes
Competitive business culture - which places them under constant pressure
Poor dietary habits - as business functions can cause consumption of high calorie, high cholesterol hors d'oeuvres and alcoholic drinks instead of dinner and there are tendencies to grab a quick bit while working late
While the things that cause stress may differ in different countries, work stress can occur in any culture - even the 5 stressor above can clearly be causes of ill health in all cultures. Which of these do you see affecting the working capacity of your friends and colleagues? More importantly, are any of these, or other stressors affecting your working capacity and health?
If you're feeling stressed or more anxious than you would like, take control and DO something about it. CCC Travel can help you with that. Why not try the free half hour consultation. What have you got to lose?
One phenomenon, for example, is the sudden death syndrome found particularly among Japanese executives whereby a higher proportion of Japanese chief executive offers have been found to die prematurely. It is not an exaggeration, nor a myth. For example, Japanese courts have ruled cases of employees dying from 'too much work' and in the one year period between 2006 and 2007, 147 of these cases of death from stress were acknowledged by the government. In fact, so many cases have been found there is name for it: karoshi.
Some of the hypotheses have suggested it may be caused by:
Over-identification with the employer/job - as most Japanese managers work for one firm for their entire careers
Perfectionism - as culture is such that individuals feel the need to please everyone and rise to high standards
Workaholic lifestyle - as most Japanese executives have relatively little time for family life, socialising for business purposes
Competitive business culture - which places them under constant pressure
Poor dietary habits - as business functions can cause consumption of high calorie, high cholesterol hors d'oeuvres and alcoholic drinks instead of dinner and there are tendencies to grab a quick bit while working late
While the things that cause stress may differ in different countries, work stress can occur in any culture - even the 5 stressor above can clearly be causes of ill health in all cultures. Which of these do you see affecting the working capacity of your friends and colleagues? More importantly, are any of these, or other stressors affecting your working capacity and health?
If you're feeling stressed or more anxious than you would like, take control and DO something about it. CCC Travel can help you with that. Why not try the free half hour consultation. What have you got to lose?
No comments:
Post a Comment