Wise Institute Wise Institute
  • Live.
    • Common Challenges
      • Adjustment Difficulties
      • Adolescent Years
      • Ageing Adults
      • Alcohol & Substance Abuse
      • Anxiety
      • Childhood
      • Depression / Mood Disorders
      • Eating Difficulties
      • Identity
      • PTSD & Trauma
      • Relationships
      • Sleeping Difficulties
      • Work Related Issues
    • Our Approach
      • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Compassion Focussed Therapy
      • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
      • EMDR Therapy
      • Family Systems
      • Family Based Therapy
      • Mentalization Based Treatment for Families
      • Mindfulness
      • Schema Therapy
      • Solution-Focused Therapy
    • Telehealth
    • FAQs
  • Work.
  • Learn.
    • Training
    • Cool Kids
    • DBT Course
  • Innovate.
    • Research
  • About.
    • Our Team
    • Work with Wise
  • Contact Us.
    • Book Your Appointment
    • Location
02 9906 5199

Workplace Stress

What is workplace stress?

Get started now

Or call us on (02) 9906 5199

We are all aware that the work we do can have a significant impact on our quality of life. A certain level of stress or challenge at work can be motivating and even enhance our performance. However, when we perceive that the demands of work exceed our resources in terms of time, energy and ability, we can start to experience negative impacts on our physical, mental and emotional health.

Strategies to try now

Learning and practicing relaxation techniques
Being physically active
Doing things that give us a sense of pleasure and achievement
Making sleep a priority
Reducing alcohol and non-prescription drug intake
Keeping socially active

Warning signs and symptoms of workplace stress

Chronic exhaustion
Feeling overwhelmed
Increased irritability
Sleeping difficulties
Headache and muscle tension
Indecisiveness and reduced confidence
Gastrointestinal problems
Worry that feels uncontrollable
Changes in appetite
Pessimistic outlook
Loss of interest in sex

Workplace stress resources

  • Websites
  • Books
  • Digital Tools and Apps
  • Videos
  • In the case of emergency call

Websites

Websites

We recommend the following websites for support with workplace stress:

  • MindSpot
  • Headspace
  • Centre for Clinical Interventions
  • This Way Up
  • Beyond Blue 
  • Australian Psychological Society

Books

Books

We recommend the following books for support with workplace stress:

  • Let That Sh*t Go
  • Overcoming Your Workplace Stress

Digital Tools and Apps

Digital Tools and Apps

We recommend the following digital tools and apps for support with workplace stress:

  • ReachOut Breathe
  • Self Help Anxiety Management
  • Breathe2Relax

Videos

Videos

We recommend the following videos for support with workplace stress:

  • Workplace Mental Health
  • The Fastest Way to Recover From Burnout
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation

In the case of emergency call

In the case of emergency call

We recommend the following emergency services for support with workplace stress:

  • Lifeline
  • The Royal North Shore Hospital

Australian surveys indicated that approximately one in four of us have taken time off work due to stress.

Getting Professional Help

Evidence based treatments make the biggest difference.

While we may be able to tolerate and recover from short bursts of stress, protracted and excessive stress can lead to a deterioration in the quality of our relationships and life outside of work, and ultimately can increase our vulnerability to experiencing mental health difficulties. It is best to speak with your GP regarding your concerns and to have them consider directing you to a psychologist near you who specialises in assisting people through the many challenges associated with workplace stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some simple facts to help you understand workplace stress and how you can best manage it.

Risks factors for workplace stress

  • An excessive workload or very long working hours
  • Conflicting demands and a lack of clarity around expectations of your role
  • Job insecurity
  • Conflict between coworkers
  • A workplace prone to distressing incidents, or those that can lead to physical injury, such as law enforcement or emergency services
  • Poor working conditions 
  • Bullying 
  • Excessive scrutiny and perceived criticism of your work
  • Limited support from either managers or coworkers

How common is workplace stress?

Based on a report by Safe Work Australia in 2013, it was estimated that stress is costing Australian businesses $10 billion each year.  Previous surveys indicated that approximately one in four of us have taken time off work due to stress.

Life after workplace stress

It may not be necessary to leave your place of employment in order to overcome workplace stress. A psychologist can work with you to establish healthy boundaries at work, navigate difficult relationships and put other stress management techniques into place in order to overcome stresses and regain a sense of satisfaction in your work.

Myths About Workplace Stress

``Stress is part of everyday life and there is nothing that can be done about it``
Workplace Stress Myth 1
``Workplace stress is a personal issue and not critical to the running of a business``
Workplace Stress Myth 2
``Excessive stress is normal and is a sign that you are important``
Workplace Stress Myth 3
``Stress is a great motivator to reach your best performance``
Workplace Stress Myth 4
Treatments

We use evidence-based best practice treatments.

Our Team

Over 125 years of clinical experience.

About Us

We’ve been making a difference for over 20 years.

We're here to help

Message, call or Zoom us…
we’re here to help.

Phone: (02) 9906 5199
Face to face video call via Zoom




    Opt-in to future news? Yes


    • Live
    • Learn
    • Work
    • Innovate
    Common Challenges
    • Adjustment Difficulties
    • Alcohol & Substance Abuse
    • Anxiety
    • Adolescent Years
    • Depression / Mood Disorders
    • Eating Difficulties
    • PTSD & Trauma
    • Sleeping Difficulties
    • Work Related Issues
    Our Approach
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Compassion Focussed Therapy
    • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
    • Family Systems
    • Family Based Therapy
    • Mindfulness
    • Schema Therapy
    Company
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Book Your Appointment
    • Location
    • DBT Course
    • FAQs
    • Telehealth
    • Privacy policy
    Wise Institute

    Wise Institute is a compassion-driven specialist psychology practice that has offered purposeful, effective therapies and treatments for clients on the Lower North Shore for over 19 years.

    powered by

    Wise Institute is located on the lands of the Cammeraygal people. We honour the traditional custodians of Australia, and Elders past, present, and emerging. We extend that respect to Indigenous people within the Wise Institute community and are committed to a positive future for all First Nations People.