This week I learned that my stress level is real, but also manageable. On the Life Stress Inventory I scored 185, which lands in the 150-250 range, a level where stress can start increasing the odds of illness or accidents. Looking at what I checked off included changes in sleep and social activities, moving/residence changes, and bigger responsibilities financially. With these changes it makes sense that my stress score came out as 57/100 that lands in the somewhat stressed category. My Type A score was 61/100, which is a mix of Type A and Type B. That feels accurate, I care about results and deadlines, but I’m not full throttle all the time.
For my career especially in construction where time pressure is constant, I need to create a stress plan that’s more than push through. My personal tactics are to protect sleep by having consistent bedtime, no screens late and schedule workouts 3-4 times a week. I could also build a weekly reset where I plan the top priorities and cut anything that doesn’t matter. At work I can reduce stress by communicating earlier by asking questions before I’m stuck, using checklists for handoffs, and setting boundaries on work hours when possible.
What stood out from research is that the best solutions aren’t just individual coping, they’re organizational. The CDC recommends employers reduce root causes like excessive demands, low control, and bullying. While also supporting workers with flexibility, supervisor training, and access to Employee Assistance Programs. The World Health Organization also emphasizes managing psychosocial risks by changing working conditions, not just telling people to be tougher. The national institute for occupational safety and health or NIOSH frames job stress prevention around improving the way work is designed and managed. Helping to lower stress and safety risks for employees. (CDC)
Stress is common especially in working adults Gallup found about four in ten adults worldwide reported a lot of stress or worry in 2021. That tells me stress isn’t a personal failure, it’s something I should manage and be able to conquer like any other workplace problem.(Gallup)
https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/living-with
https://www.gallup.com/analytics/349280/state-of-worlds-emotional-health.aspx