In an interesting study performed recently, the stress
levels of individuals were measured while they were asked to complete tasks,
and had varying levels of interruptions. In a simulated office environment,
three groups were given the same basic tasks to perform during a 2-hour period.
One group was left alone, except for a single friendly task interaction at the
mid-point of the experiment. A second group had a stress test during the mid-point,
and the third group had interruptions during their first hour, as well as a
stress test at the midpoint. The important overall conclusion was that the
group who experienced interruptions, stress tests, and were placed under more
pressure had almost twice as high cortisol (stress hormone) levels as those
individuals who were left to do their work.
This raise in cortisol levels can be beneficial in the short
term, and typically when there is a physical threat around, as cortisol
increases reaction speed and short-term memory. However, chronically high
cortisol levels can lead to Cushing syndrome, weight gain, decreased immune
system, and many other symptoms. These possible negative outcomes should encourage
individuals to find a working environment that discourages interruptions,
allowing for a more productive and less stressful time working.
Considering that interruptions alone are able to increase
cortisol levels, I would highly recommend that fellow students attempt to study
with their phone silenced and out of line of sight. Given an already highly
stressed environment of the academic realm, we should do everything in our
power to mitigate chronic cortisol release.
While there were many limitations to this study (short time
period, university student subjects, actors convincing abilities, relatively
small sample size (n=90), lack of interpersonal relationships between ‘employees’),
the ability to increase cortisol to such an extent using a relatively common occurrence
such as a simple interruption or an email requesting specific, time-based work,
is worrisome. Especially considering how much more interconnected society has
become through improved technology, we are often plugged in and available at
all times, possibly exposing ourselves to a constant increase in stress and
cortisol.
Kerr, J. I., Naegelin, M., Weibel, R. P., Ferrario, A., La
Marca, R., von Wangenheim, F., Hoelscher, C., & Schinazi, V. R. (2020). The
effects of acute work stress and appraisal on psychobiological stress responses
in a group office environment. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 121,
104837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104837
I remember when I previously worked at a very busy Doctors office and noticed I will be super stressed and tensed out when I had many patients checking in at the same time, during the early morning hours and late evening. That was the rush hour at the Doctors office I worked at and during that time everything was just haywire. The phones will ring so loudly repeatedly beside me, while checking in and explaining things to patients, doing paperwork and many more. I felt that the phones ringing so bizarrely was such a huge distraction because I could not concentrate on one particular thing at a time.
ReplyDeleteI found out that distractions do facilitate problem-focused coping with job stress.In a study that was performed by Shimazu & Schaufeli. The study involved a year long longitudinal study that "examined the sole and combined effects of problem-focused coping and distraction on employee well-being (i.e., stress responses and job performance) using two-wave panel survey data with a 1-year time lag" (Shimazu & Schaufeli, 2007). Results showed that stress levels where increased in participants who had multiple random distractions introduced while performing a task.
Many jobs do have a lot of distractions that cannot be prevented. So we have to learn how to adapt to these situations. In, Assessing coping strategies by Carvier et al. The develop a "multidimensional coping inventory to assess the different ways in which people respond to stress" (Carvier et al,1989).Describing and using five scales of measure as a coping mechanism when one feels stressed out. I would say that whenever you feel stressed out, you should try to step aside or stop what you are doing for a a minute or two and meditate
Carver CS, Scheier MF, Weintraub JK. Assessing coping strategies: a theoretically based approach. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1989 Feb;56(2):267-83. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.56.2.267. PMID: 2926629.
Shimazu, A., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2007). Does Distraction Facilitate Problem-focused Coping with Job Stress? A 1 year Longitudinal Study. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30(5), 423-434. doi:10.1007/s10865-007-9109-4
Hey Aaron,
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting and very relatable! I was reading an article that discusses how cell phone radiofrequency can change corticotrophin hormones as wells as the adrenal medulla. They noticed that over a long period of exposure to our phone radiofrequency, they saw an enhancement of plasma ACTH as well as cortisol levels. As well as, the fasculata layer of the adrenal cortex, is able to thicken due to radiofrequency. This is very interesting because it is commonly seen that psychological factors affect a lot of the stress levels that increase throughout the body, but now its seen that through radiofrequency, there is a possibility that we change the physiological structure of the brain in almost less than 2 months. Even having the phone constantly near us and receiving the radiofrequency is playing a huge influence on our brains. The researchers even noticed that there was an increase in vascularization of the brain tissue and the vacoules increased as well. I would also recommend people to try and sleep away from their phones due to the radiofrequency that can also have an affect on them.
Shahabi, S., Hassanzadeh Taji, I., Hoseinnezhaddarzi, M., Mousavi, F., Shirchi, S., Nazari, A., . . . Pourabdolhossein, F. (2018, December). Exposure to cell phone radiofrequency changes corticotrophin hormone levels and histology of the brain and adrenal glands in male Wistar rat. Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6312682/