HEALTH
Cope with stress
DR. K. HARI PRASAD
|
Stress-related illnesses in the IT and BPO sector can be reduced significantly.
|
Many believe that professionals in the IT and BPO industries are disease-prone. This is not true, as individuals working in these industries are prone to certain industry-specific illnesses, which are not different from other industry-specific illnesses.
Stress is a major culprit in these industries, with the main causes being deadlines, targets, monotonous nature of jobs, night shifts, long working hours and aggressive career objectives.
However stress by itself is not dangerous but, if left unattended, could assume dangerous propositions. Sleeping disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders, headaches, visual disturbances, mood swings and sexual dysfunction are some of most common symptoms that can be attributed to stress.
Early signs
Stress is defined as the body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response. Stress is a lesser problem in organisations that pay adequate attention to induction of employees in a new working environment.
While many organisations have measures to help their employees cope with stress, there is inadequate focus on nipping it in the bud while inducting an employee. By focusing on environmental adaptation during induction, organisations can prevent stress-related issues, improve productivity and reduce attrition rates.
Organisations now use a host of initiatives like gyms in working areas, picnics, events, yoga, ayurveda to de-stress employees.
While each one has its value, it is important to incorporate a system that provides employees with an opportunity to discuss issues. Trained counsellors are of immense value in this regard and can help provide solutions to a majority of stress-related issues and pre-empt dangerous situations.
Lifestyle diseases
The ill-effects of stress are being amplified by lifestyle diseases. Dreaded diseases like heart attacks and cancer are no longer diseases of the aged. The number of sudden cardiac deaths in young individuals is also being reported. Sedentary lifestyle, dietary habits, tobacco, alcohol and stress are a deadly combination and provide an ideal platform for dangerous diseases. Apart from the stress factor, employees in IT and BPO sectors need to pay attention to their lifestyle and ensure that their professional growth and success is not marred by health-related issues.
While major organisations give adequate attention to their employees’ health, the smaller organisations (which employ a significant proportion of IT and BPO personnel) are yet to focus on health.
The simple prescription for creating healthy IT and BPO organisations is: Firstly to have a scientifically developed induction system; To conduct regular educational sessions on stress and lifestyle management; To implement innovative stress-relieving programmes; To provide access to counsellors; To keep track of employees’ health with preventive checks at regular interval, risk stratification of employees’ health; risk management programmes and review of health status at regular intervals.
The writer is Chief Executive, Apollo Health City, Hyderabad.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
