Work Stress Causing Unhealthy Habits
Experts say that work stress is what leads most people to indulge in unhealthy behaviors such as consuming high calorie foods, skipping meals and not exercising. Heavy workloads can also be responsible for increased smoking, drinking and not getting regular sleep.
During economic woes on Wall Street, job security, increasing work pressure and credit and housing crises are ruining peoples’ diets and leading to unhealthy habits across the country.
People are substituting healthy, balanced diets for snack machine foods more than ever.
Kelly Daly started reaching more frequently for the soothing effects of comfort food after learning her job would be cut this summer.
“It’s a stress reliever. Especially now that a bunch of us are going to be laid off," said the 49-year-old Daly, whose job reviewing medical insurance records in Manhattan’s financial district is being cut after 11 years.
Heather Bauer, a registered dietician and author of "The Wall Street Diet", says eating right and getting exercise may seem burdensome and even frivolous under such circumstances, but it actually gives people a greater sense of control and calm.
"It’s one less thing to stress you out," Bauer said. "If you’re out of a job or in a financial slump, it can give you a sense of inspiration as well."
Aleksandra Cogura was once a gym regular, but recently, she hasn’t been in four months because of heftier workloads that have forced her to start skipping lunch.
"I just feel like I need to complete my work," said Cogura, a 44-year-old sales analyst in publishing in Manhattan.
Dr. Esther Sternberg studies the effects of stress at the National Institute of Mental Health.
“Stress can take more serious, physical tolls. People under great stress release hormones and nerve chemicals that weaken the immune system, rendering them more susceptible to illness,” she said. “Stress can also slow the body’s ability to heal wounds, she said.”
David Ballard, who specializes in work stress issues at the American Psychological Association, said this can all translate into higher worker absenteeism, and those who do show up are likely not as productive when under great stress.
“Some ingredients for happy, productive workers include a flexible work-life balance, employee recognition programs and an atmosphere that lets employees take part in decisions,” he said.
Ballard believes people should “look at the big system, and create a work place that puts a variety of components in place”.
Marlene Clark, a dietitian with Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, suggests for individuals, reducing stress means "controlling the things you can control" when works seems to get too chaotic.
“Taking a brisk, 10-minute walk can do wonders for clearing the head,” Clark said. “Pencil in the breaks and give them as much priority as other meetings.”
She also says taking it easy on the caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda, and even chocolate can help calm nerves.
“Getting enough sleep is critical, too, especially when faced with more demanding work and hours,” Clark said.
As the economic forecast darkens, taking measures to reduce stress is becoming more and more important.
The nation is at a 5.1 percent unemployment rate and is expected to increase in the coming months. Gasoline and food prices have reached record levels.
"The first thing people want to do when they get stressed is eat stuff that’s bad for them," said Bauer, who counsels Wall Street executives. "But the end result is that they’re more stressed out because they’re eating something they shouldn’t have."
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