Stress is part of the job for health care workers

Chocolates and flowers may get one day in February, but the entire month is dedicated to hearts — and not necessarily of the cardboard variety. February is American Heart Month, which calls attention to cardiovascular health and well-being.

All workers should prioritize caring for their health, but it may need to be higher up on the list for some workers. Healthcare workers were found to experience the most stress in their jobs compared to all other industries. In a 2022 study, over 70% of healthcare workers felt stressed in their current job. Of more concern, nearly 30% of physicians reported feeling highly stressed.

In an industry that regularly deals with life-or-death concerns, this high level of stress may come as no surprise. However, it’s important to keep this stress level in mind if you’re not only considering joining the industry but also wanting to thrive in it. Read on to learn more about stress in specific industries and healthy ways to deal with it.

Healthcare and other stressful industries

While healthcare workers top the list of professionals who report feeling stress in their jobs, they have some competition. Workers in professional and business services, retail, and financial services also experience higher stress levels than all U.S. workers in non-government positions.

Here are some other industries where stress and the role go seemingly hand in hand:

• Professional and business services
• Retail
• Financial services
• Information technology
• Leisure and hospitality
• Manufacturing

Stress is an inherent aspect of many healthcare settings, but prolonged exposure to high stress levels can significantly impact employees’ health and hinder their ability to deliver quality patient care. To address this, administrators must provide the necessary support for their staff as workloads grow. This may include measures such as hiring additional personnel, revising schedules, or updating paid time off policies to better accommodate employees’ needs.

Accommodating these needs can help reduce the number of healthcare employees wanting to look for a new job, which jumped up to 44% in 2022. This can also help companies reduce the number of employees feeling burned out (46% in 2022) and boost trust in management (which was down to 78% in 2022).

Loving your job helps

While healthcare workers and other industry professionals experience higher stress levels than all U.S. full-time workers, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unhappy in their jobs. Certainly, some qualities of health care make the stress more bearable, such as forming relationships with co-workers and patients, providing the means to improve people’s lives, and seeing that effort come to fruition when patient health improves. If you’re searching for a job that brings you fulfillment, uploading your resume to CareerBuilder can help you take that step in the right direction.

“By fostering supportive work environments, maintaining clear boundaries, and prioritizing physical and mental well-being, workers can reduce the negative impacts of stress while enhancing job satisfaction.”

Dealing with stress

Even if you love your job, it may not be enough to keep your stress at a healthy, manageable level. No matter what industry you’re in, there are ways you can manage your stress and work towards a more calming and capable workday. Consider these tips for lowering stress levels and improving your health:

• Take care of your body by exercising regularly, eating foods that keep your body satisfied and full of energy, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep.
• Condense your calendars, to-do lists, and reminders into one central source to manage your responsibilities and avoid missed deadlines or appointments.
• Take short breaks from your desk or workplace to sidestep fatigue and allow yourself to mentally reset.
• Have hobbies and interests outside of work that can keep you from fixating on job-related concerns.

Additional tips on managing stress

There are many more ways to help manage stress in the workplace. Keep reading to learn two of them.

Have a support system

Stressful jobs often demand professional excellence, resilience, and adaptability. One effective way to manage workplace stress is by building strong interpersonal connections. Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues to create a support system where challenges can be shared and solutions brainstormed collaboratively. Open communication with supervisors about workload and realistic deadlines can ease feeling overwhelmed. Knowing when to ask for help or delegate tasks is essential to maintaining balance.

Set personal boundaries

Another key approach is to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Set limits on after-hours communication and create a “buffer zone” after work, such as a relaxing commute routine or an activity that helps transition from professional to personal time. Additionally, focus on cultivating mindfulness through practices such as meditation or journaling. These activities promote emotional regulation and clarity, helping you tackle tasks with a calm, focused mindset.

Stress is inevitable in many professions, especially in health care and other high-pressure industries. However, how individuals and organizations address and manage stress makes a significant difference. By fostering supportive work environments, maintaining clear boundaries, and prioritizing physical and mental well-being, workers can reduce the negative impacts of stress while enhancing job satisfaction. Whether through collaboration, mindfulness, or setting aside time for personal interests, finding strategies that work for you is key. With the right tools and mindset, it’s possible to thrive even in the most demanding roles.

More tips about stress

Finding a job that is both rewarding and pays well can also help you better manage your stress and avoid burnout.

Searching for a new role in health care can be daunting, especially before an interview, so exploring some tips to conquer preinterview anxiety can help you prepare.

Learning the physical effects of having a bad job can help you identify when you’re approaching burnout or are overly stressed.