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Managing Chronic Work Stress Can be Key to Your Health

If putting in few extra hours at the office is becoming a habit, doctors say all that work is working against you.
You are at risk for chronic stress, even clinical depression.
"It can have a negative impact on your sleep, your appetite, your mood.  A whole litany of issues can come from that prolonged stress," says Dr. Andrea Smith, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Plano Clinic Services and Outpatient Development for Medical City Green Oaks.
Actually liking what you do can helpbut it's best to realize that when you're overworking, you're doing damage to not just your mind, but your body.
"It can also lead to things like high blood pressure, compromised immune systems," says Dr. Smith.
If you feel symptoms of anxiety, like a stomach in knots or nervousness, doctors say take a break.
It could a simple 5 minute walk, but they say leave your smart phone at your desk.
""If you're going to take a break, take a break.  If you're going to take a walk, take a walk. If you're going to get a snack, get a snack and do those things mindfully, as opposed to trying to walk and check Facebook at the same time," says Dr. Smith.
Also, be willing to say "no."
"Sometimes, there are demands that are placed on us that realistically don't fit, so being willing to say no when it's appropriate," says Dr. Smith.

If putting in few extra hours at the office is becoming a habit, doctors say all that work is working against you.

You are at risk for chronic stress, even clinical depression.

"It can have a negative impact on your sleep, your appetite, your mood.  A whole litany of issues can come from that prolonged stress," said Dr. Andrea Smith, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Plano Clinic Services and Outpatient Development for Medical City Green Oaks.

Actually liking what you do can help, but it's best to realize that when you're overworking you're doing damage to not just your mind but your body.

"It can also lead to things like high blood pressure, compromised immune systems," said Smith.

If you feel symptoms of anxiety, like a stomach in knots or nervousness, doctors say take a break.

It could a simple five minute walk, but they said leave your smart phone at your desk.

"If you're going to take a break, take a break.  If you're going to take a walk, take a walk. If you're going to get a snack, get a snack and do those things mindfully, as opposed to trying to walk and check Facebook at the same time," said Smith.

Also, be willing to say "no."

"Sometimes, there are demands that are placed on us that realistically don't fit, so being willing to say no when it's appropriate," said Smith.

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