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Writer's pictureCarrie Bedesky

12 Warning Signs You're Stressed Out at Work

Updated: Jun 18, 2024

Stress has become a common issue that affects pretty much everyone in their lifetime, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent in the workplace.


The pressures of meeting deadlines, managing workloads, and balancing personal and professional responsibilities are contributing to rising levels of employee stress. This can lead to a range of negative outcomes, from decreased productivity and job satisfaction to serious health problems.


It's absolutely crucial to recognize the signs of stress early to prevent it from taking a toll on your health and well-being.


Here are 12 stress warning signs:


  1. Physical Symptoms: Your stomach hurts, you have headaches, and you catch colds frequently. These physical ailments can be direct manifestations of chronic stress.

  2. Emotional Numbness: You feel emotionally numb and disconnected from your surroundings. This detachment is a common reaction to prolonged stress.

  3. Irritability: You snap at people, whether it's colleagues, your spouse, or your kids. Increased irritability is a clear indicator that stress is affecting your interactions.

  4. Concerns from Others: People tell you they're worried about you. When others notice a change in your behaviour or demeanour, it's a sign that stress is visible to those around you.

  5. Overwhelm: You feel that if you take on one more task, you're going to blow. Feeling overwhelmed by your workload is a common stress symptom.

  6. Job Dissatisfaction: You feel like quitting your job often. Persistent thoughts about leaving your job can signal deep-seated stress and dissatisfaction.

  7. Helplessness: You feel helpless and believe circumstances are out of your control. This feeling of powerlessness can exacerbate stress levels.

  8. Pessimism: You know that whatever you do, things are bound to go wrong. A negative outlook on your work and its outcomes is a sign of stress.

  9. Isolation in Concern: You believe that when things go wrong, you'll be the only one who cares. This sense of isolation can increase stress and decrease morale.

  10. Guilt Over Breaks: You feel guilty about taking a holiday. Difficulty disconnecting from work, even during breaks, indicates high stress levels.

  11. Blaming Others: You know the problem; it's everybody else. Shifting blame onto others can be a defense mechanism triggered by stress.

  12. Work Obsession: You can't stop thinking about your work. An inability to disconnect mentally from work tasks is a significant stress indicator.


A woman sits at her desk piled high with papers, hands on her forehead.
Overwhelm is a common response to stress

Q: What can you do if you're experiencing these warning signs?


Well firstly, congratulations on recognizing that you may be experiencing chronic stress at work. Recognizing these signs is the first step towards managing and reducing that stress.


At Coherent Culture, we emphasize the importance of stress resilience as a crucial aspect of creating a healthy work environment. Stress is inevitable, but your reaction to it can be trained. Developing stress resilience involves:



A: Take Action!


If you're experiencing any of these stress warning signs, it's time to take action. First, find healthy coping strategies to engage in to remediate the immediate impact of the stress. Next, implement stress resilience techniques that will help you effectively manage and recover from future stress that you experience. Remember to seek support, whether from friends, family or professionals, as having a strong support system can make a significant difference in your stress management journey.


At Coherent Culture, we offer programs designed to help teams and individuals build stress resilience, improve self-leadership, and foster a more productive and harmonious workplace.





Ready to build resilience and manage stress more effectively? Book a free consultation call with our team at Coherent Culture and start your journey to a more resilient you today.

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