Understanding Work Stress: Causes, Clinical Factors & Support

Work stress can feel like a heavy weight on your shoulders, creeping into your days and nights, making everything seem just a bit harder. It’s something so many of us deal with, and it can really take a toll on your mental health, physical well-being, and even your love for your job. Let’s dive into what causes this stress, the real challenges it brings, and how clinical factors like low B12 or Vitamin D might be playing a role. Plus, if you’re in the UK and feeling like your employer isn’t there for you, ACAS can step in to help.

Causes of Work Stress

Ever feel like your to-do list at work is a mile long, and no matter how fast you run, you’re still falling behind? That’s just one of the many things that can spark work stress. It’s not always one big thing — it’s often a pile-up of little pressures that make you feel like you’re drowning. Here’s what might be driving that stress for you:

Excessive Workload: When your inbox is overflowing and deadlines are looming, it’s easy to feel buried. Too many tasks with too little time? That’s a recipe for stress.
Lack of Control: Imagine being told what to do, how to do it, and when—without any say. Not having a voice in your work can leave you feeling powerless and frustrated.
Poor Work-Life Balance: If you’re answering emails at 10 p.m. or working through weekends, your personal life takes a hit. It’s hard to recharge when work never stops.
Job Insecurity: Worrying about layoffs or whether your contract will be renewed? That constant uncertainty can keep you on edge.
Interpersonal Conflicts: A snarky co-worker, a micromanaging boss, or just bad vibes in the office can make every day feel like a battle.
Unclear Expectations: If you’re not sure what your boss wants or how you’re being judged, you’re left guessing—and that’s exhausting.
Lack of Support: When you’re struggling and your manager or team isn’t there to back you up, it can feel like you’re on your own, fighting an uphill battle.

These things hit differently depending on your job and personality, but when they stack up, they can make work feel like a pressure cooker.

Challenges of Work Stress

Work stress doesn’t just stay at your desk—it follows you home, creeps into your sleep, and messes with your whole vibe. It’s like a storm that keeps brewing, making everything in life a little harder to handle. Here’s a look at the real struggles it brings:

Mental Health Issues: Stress can weigh you down, leaving you anxious, depressed, or even totally burned out. It’s like your brain is stuck in overdrive, and it’s tough to find calm.
Physical Health Problems: Ever get stress headaches or feel like you’re running on empty? Chronic stress can lead to insomnia, high blood pressure, or a weaker immune system, so you’re sick more often.
Reduced Productivity: When you’re stressed, focusing feels impossible. You might miss deadlines, make mistakes, or just stare at your screen, unable to get started.
Increased Absenteeism: Feeling wiped out or unwell from stress? You might end up calling in sick more, which can add guilt or worry about falling behind.
Workplace Conflicts: Stress can make you snap at a co-worker or misread a situation, stirring up drama that makes the office feel even more tense.
Turnover: If work stress is relentless, you might start dreaming of quitting. For some, it’s not just a thought—it’s the push to walk away, which shakes things up for you and your employer.

These challenges can spiral, making stress feel like it’s running the show. It’s tough, but recognizing what’s happening is the first step to tackling it.

Clinical Causes of Work Stress

While workplace factors are primary drivers, clinical issues can exacerbate susceptibility to stress. Nutritional deficiencies and medical conditions may amplify the body’s stress response or reduce resilience:

Low Vitamin B12: Deficiency can cause fatigue, mood swings, and cognitive difficulties, making it harder to cope with workplace demands. Found in meat, eggs, and fortified foods, B12 is critical for nerve function and energy production.
Vitamin D Deficiency: Low levels, common in individuals with limited sun exposure, are linked to depression and low energy. Vitamin D supports mood regulation and immune health.
Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium helps regulate the stress response. Low levels, often due to poor diet, can increase anxiety and muscle tension.
Iron Deficiency: Leading to anaemia, low iron causes fatigue and reduced concentration, amplifying workplace stress.
Thyroid Imbalances: Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can affect energy, mood, and stress tolerance.
Chronic Inflammation: Conditions like autoimmune disorders or poor gut health may increase cortisol (stress hormone) levels, worsening stress responses.

If work stress feels disproportionate, consulting a healthcare provider for blood tests (e.g., B12, Vitamin D, thyroid function) can identify underlying issues. Addressing deficiencies through diet, supplements, or medical treatment can improve resilience.

Engaging with ACAS for Support

In the UK, if you feel unsupported by your employer regarding work stress, ACAS provides free, impartial advice and support. ACAS helps resolve workplace disputes and promotes fair employment practices. Here’s how to engage with them:

Identify the Issue: Document specific instances where you feel unsupported, such as ignored requests for workload adjustments or lack of mental health resources. Note dates, communications, and outcomes.
Review Workplace Policies: Check your employer’s policies on stress, mental health, or grievance procedures. This helps frame your concerns within organizational guidelines.
Contact ACAS: Visit acas.org.uk or call their helpline (0300 123 1100, Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm). Explain your situation, focusing on how the lack of support affects your health and work.
Seek Advice on Options: ACAS can advise on informal resolutions (e.g., discussing concerns with your manager), formal grievances, or mediation. They may also clarify your legal rights under UK employment law, such as protections against discrimination or unfair treatment.
Consider Early Conciliation: If the issue escalates (e.g., you’re considering a tribunal claim for constructive dismissal or discrimination), ACAS offers early conciliation to resolve disputes without legal proceedings. This involves a neutral conciliator facilitating discussions between you and your employer.
Follow Through: Act on ACAS’s guidance, whether it’s drafting a formal grievance letter or attending mediation. Keep records of all interactions for future reference.

ACAS’s services are confidential and aim to empower employees to address workplace issues constructively. They can also provide templates for letters or guidance on discussing stress with employers.

Practical Tips for Managing Work Stress

In addition to seeking external support, consider these strategies:

Set Boundaries: Prioritize tasks and negotiate deadlines to protect personal time.
Practice Self-Care: Incorporate exercise, mindfulness, or hobbies to reduce stress.
Communicate Needs: Discuss workload or support needs with your manager openly.
Seek Professional Help: Therapy or counselling can provide coping strategies.
Address Clinical Factors: Work with a doctor to correct deficiencies or health issues.

Our GMC‑registered GPs at Medway GP are ready to evaluate your requirements and issue professional support letters where clinically indicated.

Get the documentation you need, so you can focus on what matters most to you.

Ease the Pressure: Tackle Work Stress with Support and Strength!