26 | T H E B A R O SSA MA G // HE ALTH
WORDS BY LEE TEUSNER
GO VITA TANUNDA
Your heart is racing, sweat beads on your
forehead and you are overwhelmed by a
sudden urge to flee. Just another day at the
office, right?
Workplace stress is at epidemic levels in
Australia with almost three in four workers
struggling to manage the pressure of
unreasonable workloads, job insecurity
and low morale. But the good news is there
are steps you can take to recognise the
early signs of stress and boost your coping
capacity.
According to the Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare, large numbers of
workers are clocked on for more than 50
hours a week, leaving Australia near the
bottom of the work/life balance ladder
compared with other countries.
Among the many causes is the impact
of technology blurring the boundaries
between work and downtime, with
employees expected to be contactable at
all hours. In some sectors, technological
advances create job insecurity as
Taking control
of work stress
computers and machinery take tasks from
workers. Casualisation of the workforce
and the growing gig economy (where
workers are freelance contractors or hired
on demand) has also removed much of the
stability enjoyed by previous generations.
At a biological level, stress is related to
allostasis, when the nervous system,
immune system, and hormones are
activated to help the body adapt to
challenges.
Hormones including adrenalin and
cortisol trigger the fight-or-flight response
that helps us react quickly to manage
stressful situations.
When this happens efficiently and
infrequently, the body can cope. But
in circumstances where these systems
are overstimulated and cannot perform
properly, the result is allostatic load, which
can lead to disease.
When worries, challenges, and anxieties
show no sign of abating, chronic stress can
result. Signs of stress include aches and
pains, insomnia, indigestion, diarrhea,
irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating,
low self-esteem and feeling out of control,
moody and tearful. If left unchecked
chronic stress can lead to depression,
high blood pressure, a weakened immune
system, and even heart disease. And while
stress might leave you reaching for alcohol,
caffeine, and sugary foods, these can, in
fact, escalate symptoms. Instead, regular
exercise and a balanced diet supplemented
by specific vitamins and minerals can help
ease symptoms of stress and set you on the
path to make longer-term changes.
Magnesium assists muscle and nerve
function, with foods such as kale, spinach,
yoghurt, almonds, avocado, bananas and
even good quality dark chocolate rich
in this essential mineral. Soaking in an
Epsom salt bath is another way to absorb
the stress-relieving benefits of magnesium.
B-complex vitamins found in many
animal proteins protect the immune and
nervous systems while promoting mental
clarity.
WE ALWAYS PUT OUR
PATIENTS NEEDS FIRST
We offer trust, care and understanding.
At Ron Kendall Audiology, we only fit what’s clinically suitable for your
needs and lifestyle requirements. As your local hearing specialists, we
encourage the health and protection of your hearing. After all, providing
quality hearing solutions to our clients brings a smile to our faces.
8563 2149
135 Murray Street, Tanunda
www.ronkendallaudiology.com.au
RON KENDALL AUDIOLOGY
Your local hearing specialist
Over
30
YRS
experience
Herbs including St John’s wort, valerian
root, licorice, Withania, Rhodiola and
Lavender have traditionally been used
in teas, tonics and supplements for their
calming and immune boosting properties.
Hormonal support can also be helpful,
with the amino acid tyrosine – found
in protein-rich foods – working as a
precursor to hormones that regulate the
body’s stress response.
Sipping green tea is a soothing way to
increase levels of theanine, another amino
acid used to treat high blood pressure and
anxiety.
While dietary changes and supplements
won’t make work less stressful, they can
help build your physical and mental
reserves so you can take steps towards
reclaiming a manageable work/life
balance.
Are your stress levels out of control? What
are your options? Talk to the experts at Go
Vita Tanunda for practical advice on how
to manage stress naturally.