Stress: "Important measures are prevention and the daily well-being of employees".
Constant stress reduces our quality of life. This is because stress has a long-term effect on health. The editors of SAFETY-PLUS asked Isabelle Mansuy, Professor of Neuroepigenetics at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, about how "stress" arises and how companies should perceive meaningful prevention.
Ms. Mansuy, why is "stress" (disstress) such a big risk factor for chronic diseases?
Because stress conditions are harmful to the body's cells and permanently alter their functions. A stress load leads to the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline/noradrenaline throughout the body - and if these are chronically present, e.g. due to frequent stress factors or stress from childhood, especially as organs and tissues are still developing, these messengers or hormones can permanently damage the cells and make the person more susceptible to disease.
How can causes of stress in long-term illnesses be diagnosed in the first place?
Stress states can be diagnosed by behavioral tests and questionnaires regarding a person's feelings, for example by means of a scale in perceived stress factors. Stress hormones can be detected in blood, saliva or urine. Blood pressure and vagotonia (the state in which the balance of the autonomic nervous system is shifted) are other useful measures. The avoidance of stress states can be difficult in some patients, these can be minimized for example by psychotherapy, meditation, acupuncture, psychoanalysis, but also by sport and yoga, the use of therapeutic plants and in the most severe cases, medication.
What are the long-term consequences of daily stressors such as high work pace, deadline pressure, interruptions?
These factors are not necessarily negative for health. Even if you are under a lot of pressure and work hard, you can do your work with joy and pleasure. It becomes pathological when people lose control, become anxious, overwork themselves and are under psychological pressure.
Where should employers start with possible workshops?
Important measures are prevention and paying attention to the daily well-being of employees. This is largely achieved through respect in the workplace, good communication, clear work objectives, a safe and pleasant working environment and conditions, and rewards for good work and career advancement, etc.
What keeps our brain "fit" in the long term with a positive "stress balance"?
It is a combination of factors such as a healthy diet, exercise, good sleep, life purpose, happiness in private life, job satisfaction and a good social network. This finding is not new per se and may even be quite trivial. One of the main reasons people are stressed and mentally ill is often due to a bad or traumatic childhood. A good health balance needs to be established early in life so that as an adult you are able to cope with stress and manage your life well. Prevention is also very important here.
