A recently published Ipsos survey has outlined the extent to which stress is affecting the working lives of people around the world.
Defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as ‘a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation’, stress is something we all experience at one time or another. However, as the WHO points out, the way in which we respond ‘makes a big difference to our overall well-being.’
Stress makes it hard for us to relax and can create a range of emotions, including anxiety and irritability. When stressed, we may find it difficult to concentrate or get a good night’s sleep. Headaches, stomach troubles and issues with appetite are far from unusual. Chronic stress might even exacerbate pre-existing health problems and increase a person’s use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances.
The Ipsos study, which canvassed the experiences of adults across 31 countries, found that well over half of those polled (58%) often think about the state of their own mental wellbeing. Meanwhile, 78% consider mental health to be as important as physical health and, yet, only 34% believe that their respective nations operate healthcare systems that treat the two things equally.
Drill down into the specifics, however, and the everyday impact of stress, in particular, becomes clear. Six in ten (62%) respondents said that, over the course of the last 12 months, they had felt stressed to the point where it negatively impacted their day-to-day lives. A third said that this had happened on multiple occasions and 31% recalled several occasions on which they were unable to cope because of it.
Stress had caused 39% of people to take time off work in the last year. Women are more likely to say it has affected them than men, with 20% having taken time off work as a consequence.
The WHO has also highlighted links between mental ill health and things like excessive workloads, long hours and poor peer support. According to a 2022 analysis of EU labour forces, conducted by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 27% of Irish workers had endured job-related stress, depression or anxiety. Elsewhere, research conducted by YouGov last year revealed that over half (52%) of UK employees report feeling ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ stressed at work.
These challenges can be tricky to overcome but lots of help is available. The Inspire Support Hub is a great place to start the de-stressing journey, offering the right support at the right time. It features brilliant guidance around stress, work-life balance and anxiety, as well as information on building resilient workforces. In addition, people can self-refer through the Hub, over the phone or by email.
If you would like to find out more about the Inspire Support Hub, as well as the other services offered by Inspire, please feel free to contact enquiries@inspirewellbeing.org
More from our blog
Menopause and work
The menopause is a natural biological process. It occurs when your ovaries age and naturally produce lower levels of reproductive hormones. The menopause may have a significant impact on home life and work performance. This can be unsettling, particularly if a particular role carries lots of responsibility. The hormonal changes…
Understanding Stepped Care and its role in workplace wellbeing
The stepped care model is a fundamental part of Inspire's workplace offering. So, what is it and why is it so important?
Line Managers are Key to Workplace Wellbeing
According to new research published by Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Nottingham, strong links exist between positive business performance and mental health training for line managers. Furthermore, the analysis of workforce practices suggests that recognising this, and acting on it, could save organisations millions every year. The study…
Workplace Conflicts Require Proactive Approach
Discord between colleagues is not unusual. The average workplace brings together individuals from different walks of life, people with distinct characteristics, objectives, points of view and ways of doing things. Quarrels are bound to develop from time to time. They can, however, have a significant impact on an organisation’s productivity,…
CIPD Conference Stresses Authentic, Empathetic Leadership
Inspire's Noelle Higgins, Business Development Manager – Therapeutic Services reflects on the recent CIPD conference and research. My colleague Jonathan Cody and I recently took the opportunity to head to the CIPD conference at the RDS, enjoying a day away from our e-mails and catching up with a range of…
Time to celebrate Workplace Wellbeing Day
Workplace Wellbeing Day takes place across Ireland on Friday 26th April and business group Ibec is encouraging employers everywhere to get involved. Workplace Wellbeing Day represents an opportunity for organisations to rebalance and refocus on the things that benefit their employees' mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. It also provides them…
If It’s Okay Campaign Launched
A pair of newly published polls have revealed how people across the island of Ireland perceive mental illness. In response to figures highlighted by the research, Inspire has launched the If It’s Okay campaign, which focuses on the voices of individuals with lived experience of shame stemming from mental illness. Two surveys,…
New Analysis Highlights Importance of Workplace Wellbeing Support
A significant number of people juggling work and caring responsibilities are enduring mental health issues and financial pressures, according to Better Care Better Business, a new study by Ibec, Ireland’s largest business representative group. The research found that half of the 1,200 people who participated in the survey said that…
Inspire Attends ESB Mental Health First Aid Event
Workplace wellbeing was at the heart of ESB’s mental health first aid conference this week, with mental health first aiders from across the group’s national workforce convened in the tranquil surroundings of the Mullingar Park Hotel, County Westmeath. Inspire’s Therapeutic and Wellbeing Services (TWS) are proud to provide ESB, Ireland’s…
New Research Focuses on Parental Mental Health
A new study published by Barnardos Ireland details the prevalence of mental ill health amongst parents and the impact that this is having on their children. According to the research, 20% of parents say that they are currently experiencing poor mental health, while almost a quarter (23%) report feeling anxious…
Drug Deaths Preventable, says New Study by Queen’s University Belfast
A new report published by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), which includes research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), illustrates the extent to which overdose prevention centres (OPCs) can prevent thousands of drug-related deaths. The analysis comes as Northern Ireland continues to face challenges in this…
Digital Innovations at the Heart of DigiFest23
Inspire’s Assistant Director of Insight, Engagement & Innovation, Jenna Thomas, outlines the knowledge and learning gained from her trip to the DigiFest23 event in Glasgow this week. On Thursday 14th December, my colleague, Gillian Cameron, and I were delighted to attend DigiFest23, Scotland’s annual digital health, housing and care event. It…