Latest news with #workstress
Free Malaysia Today
12-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
How bringing home your job stresses can affect your dog
Dogs display behaviours indicative of anxiety when their owners brood over work problems. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : After a stormy meeting, an urgent job to finish, or tension with a colleague, your dog may greet you as usual when you get home. But something might not feel right: your pet may seem agitated, pace back and forth, and whine softly. Too preoccupied with your work worries, you fail to make the connection: your stress has already contaminated your faithful companion. This scene, experienced by millions of 'dog parents', illustrates the conclusions of a recent study conducted by researchers at Washington State University and published in Scientific Reports. It shows that our dogs feel our work-related stress directly, especially when we struggle to mentally unplug from our preoccupations at work. The researchers surveyed 85 working adults who own dogs. Participants were asked to rate their level of work stress and their tendency to ruminate, and they were asked to rate their pet's stress according to specific behavioral indicators. The results showed that the dogs displayed behaviours indicative of anxiety when their owners brooded over their work problems. However, the study reveals an important nuance: it's not so much the high level of work-related stress that affects the animal but rather this tendency to ruminate – that is, to mentally transport work concerns into the privacy of the home. When we carry our professional worries beyond office hours, we remain tense and distracted. Body language, tone of voice and general behaviour betray this inner tension – signals that dogs pick up with remarkable acuity. Emotional contagion A dog's ability to decode emotional states is explained by a scientifically recognised mechanism: emotional contagion. These four-legged companions are absolute masters in the art of deciphering non-verbal signals, which means they can 'catch' their master's emotions. Dogs excel at reading facial expressions and picking up changes in tone and posture, which makes them highly attuned to their owners' work stress. Aim to spend quality time with your dog by being fully present, without phones or distractions. (Envato Elements pic) This phenomenon goes far beyond simple observation. The animal perceives subtle changes in breathing, gestures or body language, creating a surprising emotional synchronisation with its owner. This extraordinary sensitivity explains why our pets sometimes seem to sense our moods before we are even conscious of them ourselves. In light of this, the study authors suggest a number of ways of shielding animals from this emotional contagion. In particular, they recommend practising mindfulness, through deep-breathing exercises or meditation, to truly leave stress at the office. Establishing end-of-day rituals, such as a short walk or a change of clothes, can also mentally signal that the working day is coming to an end. The idea of spending quality time with your dog by being fully present, without phones or distractions, is another key recommendation. Monitoring your pet's body language and maintaining a calm home environment also help to create a reassuring haven for the animal. Finally, the researchers do not hesitate to suggest seeking professional help if stress becomes unmanageable. Ultimately, this study reminds us of a fundamental truth: our dogs don't know our jobs or our bosses' demands, but they know perfectly well when we're upset or distracted. In spite of themselves, our four-legged companions offer us a lesson in professional wisdom – the importance of leaving work at work.
Entrepreneur
09-06-2025
- Health
- Entrepreneur
5 Ways We Can Improve Men's Mental Health in Business
There are subtle ways businesses can improve the well-being of men who face the highest risk of poor mental health. Here's what you need to know. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Men's mental health is in crisis worldwide. Statistics show that men account for 70% of suicides worldwide, as described in an article by Rob Whitley, a professor in psychiatry from McGill University in Canada. Despite this alarming fact, men are less likely than women to seek help when experiencing poor mental health. This is due to the fact that there is still a social stigma that makes many men believe that being perceived as vulnerable or seeking help goes against the norms of societal constructions of masculinity. Interestingly, research by Mind, a UK mental health charity, found that work life is the main source of men's mental health issues. The charity found that one in three men attribute work stress to the ill effects on their mental wellbeing, which is twice as many as women who report this. According to another study conducted by CV Library in 2019, 61% of men surveyed wanted to quit their work as it affected their mental health, compared to only 48.5% of women who said so. Moreover, the pressure to perform well in business has meant that CEOs and entrepreneurs are disproportionately affected by mental health issues, too, compared to the wider public, according to an article published in Small Business Economics. Related: Taking Care of Mental Health Is Powerful, Not Weak When the Priory Group, a mental healthcare facilities provider in the UK, interviewed 1,000 men for a survey on men's mental health, they discovered that although 60% of men have talked about their mental health with someone at some point in their lives, 40% of men still haven't discussed their mental health issues with close friends, family or even a medical professional. Among these men who have never opened up about their mental health, the majority reported that the underlying reason for it is that they'd learned to deal with it themselves, with the second and third most popular reasons being, "I don't wish to be a burden to anyone" and "I'm too embarrassed." These findings tell me that there is a way forward, but it requires out-of-the-box thinking. To tackle men's mental health in business, we need to craft solutions that will make men more likely to seek help in their workspaces, without feeling embarrassed about it. Here are five ways we can do this: 1. Bringing awareness to the workplace One of the first steps to destigmatizing the shame many men face with regard to mental health issues is to normalize the discourse around mental health issues. According to an independent workplace mental health review by Lord Dennis Stevenson and Paul Farmer conducted in 2017, "the correct way to view mental health is that we all have it and we fluctuate between thriving, struggling and being ill and possibly off work." Bringing the realization that even a seemingly healthy and productive employee or business leader can have underlying mental health issues will lessen the pressures many men face around seeking help. Through normalizing these discussions via newsletters, group projects and even casual training sessions, a workplace can be an easier space for men to discuss their mental health challenges if the subject matter is actively framed as something that everyone collectively could go through. Related: 6 Common Barriers to Happiness and Productivity for Men 2. Reduce the usage of the term "mental health" To ensure that mental health services in the workplace are utilized by men, it is vital that we change the language we use to describe the problem in the first place. Using the term "mental health" can be distressing or off-putting for men, according to research, and instead, more specific terms such as "stress" or "burnout" should be used to describe mental health problems. Men prefer focusing on and talking about problems that are more solvable, so avoiding broader terms when discussing mental health issues can make them open up more. Asking men specific questions relating to work performance could be easier for them to tackle instead of asking more general questions like, "Are you okay?" 3. Encourage lifestyle-based solutions Men can often feel isolated if they are identified as having a personal problem in their workplace. Instead, greater benefits could be achieved in men's mental health when mental health solutions are tied to wider lifestyle solutions, creating workplace activities that carry out themes such as sportsmanship, camaraderie and teamwork. Making mental health something that a company can work together to improve will make men's participation more likely, since the focus is not entirely on them as individuals. Well-being outings, group mentorships and friendly sporting events could be promoted as activities that could improve the collective well-being of a workplace and help colleagues work together collaboratively. According to the mental health charity Mind's "Get It Off Your Chest" study, men have a high preference for physical activities when it comes to tackling their mental health. 4. Provide access to online therapy Research has found that men are more likely to seek help when they can consult a mental health professional, especially when this can be done online, where anonymity can be guaranteed. This approach would also ensure that men would be confident to discuss their mental health struggles without feeling like they're putting their job or position at the company at risk. Related: We Need a Real Commitment to Mental Health at Work. Here's How (and Why). 5. Create good senior role models Men are more likely to be empowered to take care of themselves and others when other men in leadership positions are seen to be doing the same. It can be very powerful, for instance, for a male CEO or senior executive to talk to their employees about their own mental health struggles and explain how they work towards their mental well-being. The same could be said about the CEO and entrepreneurial communities, where businesses can work together to ensure that their leaders can work collaboratively and share personal experiences to improve their mental health and well-being together.
South China Morning Post
05-06-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Why China youth find special spots to cry for stress relief such as Forbidden City, courthouses
A growing number of young Chinese adults in search of emotional release are taking things to a new geographical level. Advertisement They have turned to designated so-called City Cry spots such as courthouses, psychiatric hospitals, and even tourist landmarks like the Forbidden City, to freely weep in public. Young Chinese people are increasingly overwhelmed by work stress, rising unemployment, economic uncertainty, and a growing sense of urban fatigue, prompting many to seek emotional release. Experienced 'crying veterans' have begun sharing lesser-known but surprisingly effective places to cry. The Forbidden City in Beijing is considered a good place to cry because of its 'poetic' atmosphere. Photo: Shutterstock Some recommend courthouse entrances and cemeteries, while others choose Peking University Sixth Hospital, a well-known psychiatric facility.
Independent Singapore
02-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Karoshi: The deadly work culture that's killing careers and people
Depositphotos/anekoho Thousands of people are aware that job stress can lead to mental and physical ailments, but only a few realize that there's a fatal stage beyond exhaustion and burnout, one that can put an end to careers and even lives. According to a recent article published by Forbes, the death-causing sickness begins with lingering, unmanaged work stress leading to burnout, when left ignored, ends in 'karoshi,' a Japanese term that means 'death from overwork.' However, this is not just an issue in Japan; workers all over the world also die from karoshi annually, yet it is rarely called by its name. In Japan, where karoshi is widely recognized, overworked personnel often work 60- to 70-hour weeks, transforming workplaces into 'killing fields.' Economic experts in India have labeled death from overwork as 'a poison by slow motion.' Burnout in disguise Despite alarming data, the U.S. remains hesitant to recognize karoshi. Nearly half of American workers consider themselves workhorses, and 59% experience moderate to high burnout, according to the 2024-2025 Aflac WorkForces Report. Instead of 'karoshi,' when workers collapse from too much exhaustion, it is attributed to heart attacks, strokes, or diabetes—the indicators rather than the real source. Stress levels continue to climb, with 62% of workers reporting higher stress in 2025 than in 2024. Millennials are the most affected, with 66% experiencing burnout, but the problem is not confined to young people alone. Burnout has infiltrated corporate management, with 71% of CEOs experiencing regular or occasional exhaustion. The burden on top officials is driving many to resign. In 2024 alone, 2,221 CEOs left their posts, citing persistent anxieties, discontent, frustration, and disillusionment. Redefining work and wellness The cost of burnout extends beyond the office. A study of 2,000 workers found that 60% spend their free time not being truly alive. Many people feel embarrassed about taking breaks or pursuing hobbies, and some don't even exercise, socialize, or travel. This is a crisis point, as continued burnout erodes drive, drains inspiration, diminishes creativity, and weakens individuality—key elements for success. Gen Z, championing work-life balance and trends like micro-retirement, indicates a reflective shift. Business owners and company managers must adopt adaptable, human-centered approaches that value personal time and promote wellness. Eventually, averting karoshi is about harmonising productivity with humanity, creating work cultures where viability and well-being coexist. Without vital change, the lethal price of overworking will only escalate in 2025 and beyond. It's time to stop taking burnout as a symbol of integrity and begin caring about the lives and futures of workers universally.
Fox News
25-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Dog owners who ruminate about work stress may pass anxiety to their pooch: study
If your job has you feeling tense, your dog might be feeling it too. A new study published in Scientific Reports finds that stress from work can affect your dog at home. The research, led by Tanya Mitropoulos and Allison Andrukonis, shows that when dog owners dwell on work problems after hours, a habit known as "work-related rumination," their pets show more signs of stress. Researchers surveyed 85 working dog owners. They measured job stress and how often people kept thinking about work during their free time. Then they asked how stressed owners thought their dogs were and also tracked actual behaviors linked to canine stress, like whining, pacing or restlessness. The study found that owners with higher job stress had dogs who showed more stress-related behaviors. That link stayed strong even when the researchers accounted for other stress in the home. Interestingly, owners didn't always realize their dogs were stressed. It was a pup's behavior that told the story. The big factor driving the connection? Rumination. Owners who mentally took work home were more likely to have stressed-out dogs. Thinking about work off the clock seemed to spread stress from humans to pets. This idea is known as "crossover," when one person's stress spills over to others in a home. Previous research has shown this happens between spouses, and now there's evidence it can happen between people and their pets too. Dogs are especially sensitive to their owners' moods. Scientists call this "emotional contagion," the idea that dogs can pick up on human feelings through tone of voice, body language and other subtle cues. When an owner is distracted or irritable from work stress, the dog notices. Over time, this can affect the dog's well-being. The study also suggests another explanation. When people are focused on work problems, they may become less patient, more distant or less consistent with routines like walks and feeding. That kind of change in care can also increase stress in dogs. The authors point out that Americans overwhelmingly see their pets as part of the family. That makes it even more important to understand how our behavior affects them. In the study's words, "employed dog owners might benefit from avoiding work-related ruminations when at home to protect the well-being of man's best friend." Putting work aside when you walk through the door doesn't just help your own health. It helps your dog, too.
