Shifting from Stress to Strength in the Modern Workplace - Dr Sachin Baliga

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, workplace stress has become one of the most common yet least acknowledged challenges impacting mental health.

The constant demand to perform, meet deadlines, and be perpetually available often leaves little room for rest or emotional recovery. Tick all the boxes, and you get more work.

Try to draw boundaries, and you’re reminded how close the performance appraisal is. Over time, this continuous pressure erodes well-being, leading to burnout, anxiety, depression, and, in general, a decline in overall productivity.

Stress in the workplace can stem from multiple factors: unrealistic expectations, unclear roles, poor work-life balance, interpersonal conflicts, or lack of recognition.

Quite frequently, the employee may also be stirring the pot due to difficulties in drawing boundaries, being assertive, or struggling with perfectionism. With the blurring boundaries between home and office, especially in hybrid or remote setups, many employees find themselves mentally “always at work.”

When unmanaged, such stress can manifest in physical symptoms, including headaches, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or gastrointestinal issues, as well as behavioural changes, such as irritability, withdrawal, or loss of motivation.

Both organisations and employees must recognise early signs of workplace stress and take proactive steps. For individuals, developing healthy coping mechanisms such as mindfulness, regular physical exercise, adequate sleep, and maintaining social connections can significantly reduce stress levels.

Learning to set boundaries (saying the dreaded “no”), taking short breaks, and communicating challenges openly with supervisors or colleagues can also prevent escalation.

From an organisational perspective, fostering a culture of empathy and psychological safety is vital. Employers can encourage open dialogue about mental health, provide access to confidential counselling services, and ensure that workloads are manageable.

Small interventions - such as flexible work options, recognition programs, and wellness initiatives - go a long way in building resilient, motivated teams. Workplaces that prioritise mental health build not just stronger teams but stronger communities.

By creating environments that value well-being as much as performance, we can ensure that success and sanity go hand in hand, benefiting both individuals and organisations.

Ultimately, addressing workplace stress is not just about improving productivity in the short term; it is about nurturing human potential. As awareness grows, it is essential to normalise seeking help.

Consulting a mental health professional can provide structured support, helping individuals regain balance, clarity, and emotional resilience.

But before that, every individual at the workplace has to be open to having talks regarding mental health, because workplace mental health is a shared responsibility. After all, it takes a village to raise a child, right?

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.