Mental Health and What’s At Stake
Chronic stress is one of the leading causes of workers compensation claims across Australia, and is doubtless a factor in many other such cases. These direct costs combine with indirect ones, such as lost productivity, to place a major strain on our national economy.
Another indirect cost of long-term stress is physical illness. In recent months, we’ve shown how stress can lower your immune system.
ABC takes a look at the stress hormone cortisol, which wakes you up in the morning. Unsurprisingly, a constant oversupply of it can interfere with your sleep at night.
Similarly, cortisol is released in response to danger. It’s important to distinguish between your body’s natural chemical response to threats (which spike and then calm down afterwards), and the consequences of years of elevated stress levels.
Some of these consequences involve mental health, such as depression and anxiety, but it doesn’t stop there. Stress increases your risk of some of the most serious physical illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s.
The good news: lowering your stress level can be as easy as exercising, eating healthy food, meditating and laughing.
Companies can reduce workers compensation claims by implementing Workplace Health and Wellbeing Programs that teach employees a range healthy living skills including:
Call HSG now to discuss how we can tailor a Workplace Health and Wellbeing Program to suit your circumstances.
