10 Reasons Why Your Employees Don’t Manage Stress
1. Our Culture Promotes Stress
Modern technology keeps us tethered to work 24/7. With smartphones and laptops, many people never truly leave the office. Stress is often worn as a badge of honor, as if enduring it proves resilience. Vacation days go unused, and even the word "relaxation" can seem counterproductive in the American work ethic.
2. Stress Management Takes a Backseat
Managing stress and prioritizing health often comes last on our to-do lists. This "self-neglect" mindset leads to the common belief that there’s never enough time to focus on personal well-being.
3. Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
People frequently manage stress through counterproductive habits like overeating, drinking, smoking, or overspending. These temporary fixes create additional problems, often compounding stress rather than alleviating it.
4. Doctors Lack Training on Stress
According to the American Institute of Stress, 75–90% of doctor visits are for stress-related concerns. Yet, physicians often focus on physical symptoms without addressing the root causes of stress. Many default to prescribing medication, which may provide short-term relief but often ignores the underlying issue.
5. The Stress Management Message is Complicated
Dr. Hans Selye’s definition of stress as "the body’s nonspecific response to demands placed on it" can be confusing. Explaining the differences between good stress (eustress) and bad stress (distress) is nuanced. Additionally, no single stress management technique, like meditation, works universally, making it challenging to prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach.
6. Outdated Science and Misconceptions
While the "fight or flight" response has been widely discussed for over a century, newer understandings of stress—like the "freeze" response and the "tend and befriend" response in women—remain lesser-known. Social stress, which often flies under the radar, doesn’t trigger a full-blown stress response but still significantly impacts mental health.
7. Reactive, Not Preventative Approaches
Stress management is often treated as a short-term fix rather than a preventative strategy. Instead of integrating stress management into daily routines, many use it as a band-aid for particularly overwhelming days.
8. Stress Sensitivity is Overlooked
People experience and process stress differently. Some individuals have heightened sensitivity to stress, comparable to PTSD, yet standard stress management techniques may not address these unique challenges.
9. Workplace Stress Denial
Job-related stress is the number one stressor in the U.S., but many companies fail to acknowledge their role in creating high-pressure environments. Instead, they place the onus on employees to manage their stress independently, aka Resilience Training.
10. Looking in the Wrong Places
Often, the root causes of stress—such as financial concerns, relationship issues, disorganization, or time management problems—are overlooked. Addressing these deeper issues is critical for effective stress management.
A Call to Action
Understanding these ten obstacles helps explain why stress management remains a persistent challenge. By addressing these barriers, individuals and organizations can begin to create healthier, more supportive environments where stress is proactively managed. Stay tuned for strategies on tackling these challenges in the companion blog, "The Future of Stress Management in Your Organization."
James Porter
Author