What is stress? 
Stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure.
How can stress affect my health?
If you’re constantly under stress, you can have physical symptoms, such as headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, and problems with sex and sleep. Stress can also lead to emotional problems, depression, panic attacks, or other forms of anxiety and worry.
That’s why it’s so important to spot the warning signs, not only because prolonged stress can make you ill. It seems that every single working day, two construction workers take their own lives.
Why is stress a problem in construction?
The construction industry has the highest suicide rate of any profession. Working tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to support their families and communities has only exacerbated the stress, burnout, and mental health struggles for these essential workers.
More than 80% of construction workers seem to have experienced stress at work. Working long hours, tight deadlines, and the pressure of keeping family, bosses, contractors, and clients all happy sometimes can be too much.
How to cope with stress at work?
Tip 1: Reach out
- Turn to co-workers for support.
- Lean on your friends and family members
- Build new satisfying friendships.
- Make time for regular exercise
- Make smart food choices
Tip 3: Sleep – improve your quality of sleep by making healthy changes to your daytime/nighttime routine
- Prioritize tasks.
- Plan regular breaks
- Establish boundaries
- Don’t over-commit yourself.