A new study says that 'workplace stress' is just as harmful to an individual's health as secondhand smoke.
Researchers from the Harvard University Business School and Stanford University found that stress has a great impact on a person's health. By simply looking at the time an individual spends at work, it is not difficult to arrive at the same conclusion.
Though stress comes in different form, workplace stress is something that is common to everyone. Regardless of the nature of the job, stress is the same. The only thing that different is the level of stress which is affected by many socioeconomic factors such as the personality of the individual, the weight of responsibility or the financial status.
Among the 225 studies conducted by the researchers, one common variable can be observed, that is, all work related stress can cause health risks. It is alarming to note that the health damages that one can get from workplace stress are similar to the effect of secondhand smoke, lack of exercise and unhealthy diet to the body.
Joel Goh, an assistant professor of business administration at Harvard Business School who is also one of the authors of the study stated that, "When you think about how much time individuals typically spend at work, it's not that surprising."
The researchers are hoping for the authorities to act immediately and address the issue. As the result of the study indicates, interventional care is needed at the work place.
Stress has the same effect as Secondhand smoke, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. However, there are no programs created to reduce workplace stress in the offices in the United States.
Though wellness programs can help employees, they do not target stress and its causes which are the main culprit. The researchers are calling out the authorities to pay attention to the effects of managerial practices. The body can only handle a certain amount of stress.
