In today’s world, being a leader can mean a number of different things. However, most often, it means being a leader in your workplace to your employees and coworkers. It seems as if every time the world rotates another unprecedented issue is happening that causes stress, be it supply chain slowdowns, employee retention, or things that concern the safety of your employees, coworkers, and yourself.
As a leader, taking good care of yourself and paying attention to your own needs is extremely important to keep from dangerous burnout and overworked situations, as well as to allow yourself to be able to fulfill your role. A high number of health issues can be related to stress, so pay attention to these six signs that something just might be amiss in your body.
Gastrointestinal issues
Despite popular belief, stress does not actually cause ulcers. However, stress can cause a number of other gastrointestinal issues, such as chronic heartburn or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). And furthermore, stress can make existing ulcers worse if you already have one, or it can exacerbate other minor gastrointestinal issues that you may have already been struggling with.
Obesity
It would seem as if a high stress and high anxiety situation would cause you to lose weight, but in many cases, it is exactly the opposite. High levels of stress can release a hormone called cortisol, which causes fat to build in your body around your abdomen and thighs. This can cause a chain reaction and lead to a number of other health issues because of the extra fat cells and weight. If you have been feeling worn down or have high levels of stress and are gaining weight, it may be best to talk to a specialist about ways to reduce your stress.
Heart disease
Heart disease is responsible for more deaths than anything else in the United States, and heart disease can be caused by consistently high levels of stress. Even if you try to eat right and aim for regular exercise two to three times a week, your elevated stress levels can actually raise your body’s cholesterol levels. This can put you at risk of heart disease and other serious conditions. Because high cholesterol is largely asymptomatic, though, a cholesterol test is necessary to determine what your current levels are and if you need to start taking measures to reduce it.
Depression and anxiety
People who suffer from consistent high stress from their jobs are at an 80% higher risk to develop serious mental issues, such as depression and anxiety. These issues can contribute to a host of physical health problems, but are nonetheless difficult enough for anyone to handle on their own. Millions of people live with undiagnosed depression and are unaware of how they can help themselves with it. Talking to a doctor or a specialist about depression can be an important part of healthily managing stress levels.
Accelerated aging
Studies have shown that chronic high levels of stress can cause signs of accelerated aging in DNA. As if our world was not already moving fast enough, being stressed out about it can cause that to go even faster for our lives. Remember that while your work might be your life, your life should not be your work, and it is important to take time for yourself and fulfill your own personal health and wellness needs.
Irritability, substance abuse, and emotional outbursts
Stress does not always cause sickness, but it can cause you to not be your normal self. Part of being a leader means it is important to be emotionally level, clear-headed, and an active part of your workforce. And while substances or emotional outbursts may make you feel better temporarily, in the long run, these things are only going to do damage to yourself and those around you. These issues can also signal a larger underlying issue, such as undiagnosed depression.
Being a good leader in the workplace is a great accomplishment and can have many rewarding benefits, but also comes with its share of complications, frustrations, and problems. Focusing on issues that arise and paying attention to your work-life balance will not only benefit you, but it also will benefit those working for and around you, as well.