We have all been there, stressed out by a coworker or boss, feeling constant anxiety over meeting deadlines, and under an enormous amount of pressure to perform 100 percent all day, everyday. These feeling of angst are associated with what is called job stress. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, job stress can be defined as “the harmful physical and emotional responses that take place when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury.”

There have been multiple studies showing that occupational stress is by far the leading cause of stress for American adults, and this has increased over the past few years, exasperated by the recent state of the economy. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health names a number of contributing factors to job stress:

Interpersonal Relationships- If there is a lack of support from coworkers and managers it can be difficult to complete a task, which can cause anxiety. In addition, many people feel that if there is not a healthy social environment in the workplace then productivity decreases.

Undefined Work Roles- When there is confusion over who is in charge, or one takes on the roles of other employees, it can lead to the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Job Insecurity- This is especially relevant today considering the recession crisis. Lack of opportunity and growth can cause irritability.

Lack of Management- If there is little communication between supervisors and employees, the results can cause quite a conflict. Lack of family-friendly polices and poor decision-making are major stressors.

Environmental Conditions- Dangerous physical conditions like crowding, air pollution, or noise can be detrimental to one's overall health.

The Delegation of Duties- A heavy workload, infrequent breaks, long hours, and hectic schedules show lack of control in the company.

If you find yourself in any of these situations, it is most likely that you will show symptoms: headaches, difficultly sleeping and concentrating, low morale, upset stomach, and a short temper. To avoid these health problems it is important to recognize your coping method. Your ability to cope with difficult situations will predict whether certain job conditions will cause you stress. This way you are able to prevent the stressor from occurring and can find an occupation that is rewarding.

An NIOSH report shows that many people feel they have a demanding job. In fact, 40 percent of workers reported that their job was very stressful. Even more staggering is that 25 percent of people feel that their job is the number one stressor in their lives. The study also found that job stress is related more with health concerns than financial or family problems.

It is unrealistic to say that one can avoid stress in the workplace; it is inevitable that there will be day-to-day conflicts that will arise and need attention. However, there are ways to cope with occupational anxieties. It is crucial to first identify what is creating the stress: is it your boss, a coworker, or perhaps the burden of taking on too many responsibilities? Whatever the stress may be, once it is identified, it can either be eliminated or you may have to evaluate your employment with that company.

Making a change can be very hard to do, but when you know why you want to make that change, the transition can be easier. In the end, a job is just a job. It is important to take care of your health and take control over how you feel.