Work stress symptoms: signs it's your job
Work stress is the reaction people have when the demands of their job outweigh their ability to cope. The signs often show up in your body, your mood and how you work — and they tend to ease when the pressure does.
Common symptoms of work-related stress
Short bursts of pressure are part of most jobs. It becomes work stress when the signs keep returning and are clearly linked to work — for example, they are worse on workdays and better on holiday. Notice which of these you have seen more often lately.
Where the pressure usually comes from
The UK Health and Safety Executive groups the main causes of work-related stress into six areas: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Symptoms are a signal; the cause usually sits in one or more of these areas.
Read the full guide to work stress causes →How work stress differs from burnout
- Work stress often feels like too much: urgency, tension and racing thoughts. You are still engaged, and rest usually helps.
- Burnout is described by the WHO as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It shows as exhaustion, mental distance or cynicism about your job, and reduced effectiveness — more empty than overloaded.
- Stress that continues for a long time without relief can develop into burnout, so early signs are worth taking seriously.
When to seek support
- Symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep getting worse
- Stress is affecting your sleep, health or relationships
- Self-help and rest are no longer making a difference
Talk to your GP or occupational health service, and consider raising workload or support with your manager. If you feel you cannot cope or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your GP urgently or call your local emergency number.
This page is for information only and does not replace medical advice.
Sources
Find out what's driving your stress
The free, anonymous work stress test scores six areas of your job and shows where the pressure is coming from — in about 8 minutes.
START THE FREE WORK STRESS TEST →No account. No email. Completely anonymous.