Stress: 7 Secrets for Less Pressure

Stress: Job market tensions

Fewer and fewer young people are finding jobs that match their ambitions and competencies. As a result, they often fail to derive sufficient satisfaction and energy from work, both in the short and long term. In fact, it often costs this group too much energy to do their work well. This results in mental and/or physical complaints. In addition, the uncertainty young people face, think of zero hours and flex contracts, is a determining factor. Such contracts are now the rule rather than the exception, which increases performance pressure. With all its consequences. Young workers:

• hardly dare say no to extra work;
• ask too much of themselves;
• take little time to relax

Choice stress and constant accessibility

The amount of choices we face creates pressure. Jan Derksen, professor of psychodiagnostics at the Free University of Brussels, says, "There is so much to choose from. Man is only psychologically resistant to making a choice from four or five options, but now there are easily forty or fifty. We can't handle that and it leads to stress. We now see that in many young people this stress leads to burnout, chronic fatigue or overwork."

It is therefore not surprising that we see the number of young workers with burnout increasing. We live in a society, where the dividing line between work and private life is becoming blurred, so we find it difficult to make time for ourselves. This increases stress levels.

Stress: social media impact

The Y generation, born after 1980, makes frequent use of various social media platforms. Besides being a great way to keep abreast of developments in the world around us, social media affects the performance pressure we feel. The messages on these channels are generally positive, creating the image that life can always be better and more beautiful. As a result, we often feel that we have to live up to an ideal image.

Ideal image influences stress young people

According to psychologist Trudy Dehue (professor of science theory and history at the University of Groningen), we must get rid of the idea "if we want something, we can do it. This thought implies that if a goal is not achieved, someone has not worked hard enough for it.

"Assuming this ignores the fact that each of us has our limitations and our failures," Dehue said.

In other words, by holding these thoughts, the general young employee overshoots expectations. We at Simple Check believe that when you can indicate what you are and are not good at that is a strength in itself. By expecting less of yourself and adjusting goals in time, there is less stress and more room for relaxation.

Setting boundaries and clarity

"The Netherlands is the absolute leader in Europe when it comes to flexible employment contracts. But we have failed to develop the facilities with it that can keep young people standing. This is now breaking the young generation down," said Ton Wilthagen, professor of labor law at Tilburg University. What matters is to offer the young working generation safety, clarity and security. When it is not clear to workers what they can count on and what is expected of them, clarity is lacking and stress and chaos are natural.

Risk factors of burnout

Right now, there are big question marks hanging over many an employer's head. Why is it that my young, initially driven employee no longer draws energy from his work?

• Is he worried about his future?
• Does he have physical complaints?
• Are there problems in the private sphere?

It is often unclear to employers what the actual reasons for burnout symptoms are. It is also difficult for both those around them and the young people themselves to recognize the signs (in time). This insight is needed to identify and prevent more burnout cases in a timely manner. Returning to Wilthagen's statement: we, young people, still have more than 45 years of prosperity to carry. Right now we stumble too much and that is a shame. A waste of our energy and health.

Also read our blog¨Convertingstressinto creativity energy and self-confidence¨

Source: Ellen Rentenaar - Mediator | Coach | Trainer -. Rentenaar & CO