Stressed Out – It is important for employees to explore going on stress leave

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“You do have the option to step away and it is an option that you have the right to exercise.”

You wake up in the morning, and even though you have slept for ten hours, you still feel tired. You usually work out in the morning, but lately, you just don’t have the energy. You have gotten used to doing things by yourself, so when friends ask you out, you say no, just out of habit. The social isolation, physical distancing, cancelled programs, lockdowns, expectations you had not coming to fruition; it has left many of us grappling with grief, loneliness and depression.

The added stress and limitations of this pandemic has contributed to thoughts of suicide, drug-overdoses, cycles of deep depression, and a host of other mental health challenges that we are going to cover in this article. One thing that I want you to know is that you are not alone, and for you out there who have been trying to figure out how to deal with all the changes, mandates, rising case numbers, questions about the vaccines, fear of losing your job, your child’s education and everything else that has been exasperated due to this pandemic, I have a solution for you, but first …

Emerging evidence suggests that rates of posttraumatic stress and psychological stress in the general population are elevated due to COVID-19 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7392847/).

Findings suggest that approximately one-in-four adults require mental health services during the on-going pandemic. While elevations in stress during a global pandemic are to be expected, the long-term implications of these elevations have become a cause for concern. Decades of research suggest elevations in overall stress are risk factors for the onset of comorbid mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or substance use.

I dove into some research about this extended level of stress, and what I found was intriguing, not surprising, but worthy of sharing. In a research study “Mental stress post-COVID-19,” researchers found that excessive stress causes failure in the individual’s mental and physical systems.

What we want to focus on is how the situation at the workplace, post-COVID-19 is different from previous situations. The psychological preparation of members in an organization is crucial to face the challenges coming their way, and yet, many workplaces are ill equipped to deal with their employees’ mental health needs. The available literature showed consensus that the COVID-19 pandemic not only affects physical health, but also stress and well-being.

There is something that needs to be understood about stress. Stress is not the reason for a disease, but it weakens the immunization system and disturbs the capability of the body to overcome infection and disease. If you are stressed out, your body cannot help you control the spread of the virus throughout your body. The COVID-19 virus gets its strength and energy from the human body for its survival, and it becomes more violent when an infected individual has a very weak immune system. This was linked with the fatality cases due to COVID-19 virus, most of which involve the aging population.

The level of difficulty that we have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic determines our ability to make the changes, especially in the workplace. Studies show that the difficulty in accepting change can be due to the comfort that one felt with the structure and situations in their workplace before COVID-19.

Adjusting to this “New Normal,” means that we have had to go through new situations that require some readjustment. Insufficient raw materials, too mechanistic and bureaucratic leadership style and low technology levels are the factors that impede a person’s ability to change and adapt to their new work environment.

What about those people who had pre-existing mental health challenges before the pandemic? How are they fairing?

In a study titled, “Do pre-existing anxiety-related and mood disorders differentially impact COVID-19 stress responses and coping,” people who had anxiety-related disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) exhibited higher COVID Stress Scales total scores and higher scores on his or her fears about danger and contamination, socioeconomic consequences, xenophobia, and traumatic stress.

For individuals with mood disorders (Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Self Harm, Bipolar Disorder) they had higher scores on the traumatic stress symptoms and socioeconomic consequences scales than those with no current mental disorder.

There were countless research studies that spoke to the fact that exposure to stress over time can also lead to accelerated disease processes and the exacerbation of chronic health conditions, all leading to further inflating healthcare costs.

If you’re thinking, “Oh, I just need to suck it up,” stop! What you’re feeling is real.

I had a chance to speak with a psychologist who gave me some brilliant advice that I would like to share with you. She shed some light on what people can do if they are having a hard time navigating the workspace during this time.

“It is important for employees to explore going on stress leave,” the doctor told me. “I encourage people to check to see if they are eligible for short-term disability and then long term disability.

What it does is allow them to step away from a workplace that is toxic, and where they might be dealing with coercion or bullying.”

The doctor explained to me that she has worked with patients who just don’t feel safe going to work. When they do, they find themselves faced with mental health challenges that they did not even know were there.

“Your body will start to yell at you. Your body will escalate its stress level. This can lead to cardiovascular stresses (high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks).

I encourage everyone to do some research on the type of stress leave you can take. Every province operates differently. They all have different amounts of time that you can take off. Insurance companies weigh in on it as well, but I definitely think that stress relief is a really important option to look at.”

In order to go on stress leave, the first step is going to visit your family doctor. The doctor had some advice for our readers when they do sit down in front of their general practitioner.

“When you are speaking with your doctor, make sure to explain how you have been feeling. If you have been journaling, it would be a good idea to bring it with you. If you have not been, now would be a good time to document some of your thoughts.

If you have been feeling harassed, coerced, bullied or unsafe at work, make note of that and tell your doctor.”

The doctor brought up an interesting idea to me; many of us don’t realize that it is not just work stress that we are dealing with, there is also the stress that is attached to our children, our partners, and our families.

“There stress started long ago,” the doctor confirmed. “for the last twenty months, many have been living in an anxious state. For some, going back to work was the straw that broke the camel’s back. If you are dealing with other stressors, draw those to the forefront first (children, dealing with the ups and downs of the pandemic, isolation).

You do have the option to step away and it is an option that you have the right to exercise. You are probably going to have to work with a therapist and work out what is happening. What is next for you? Take this as an opportunity to pivot. Going on leave will give you the time you need to make practical decisions for your future.”

She recommends that on your stress leave, that you use this time wisely.

“If your psychiatrist gives you a prescription, fill it. Don’t feel pressured to take it, but at least if you need it you have.

There are so many requests for stress leave right now, so don’t freak out if you don’t get the maximum amount. If you are doing your part to assist yourself, the insurance company will extend it. You will be under surveillance, so be mindful of this. Do what you are being asked to do.”

As an individual, we cannot put the burden on our superiors’ shoulders. No one is excused from this new normal, and every individual needs to increase his or her self-capability in facing the new more challenging reality. It may be seen as difficult now, but if you take the time you need to heal, life will begin to get better.