The Stress Epidemic

During this ordeal, I learned that I was far from unique. The incidence of work-related stress is rapidly rising in today's high-speed business world. With greater demands at work and new technology that blurs the boundary between home and job, it is increasingly hard to "switch off". Several recent studies show that stress in the workplace is skyrocketing. According to a new study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, more than half of working Americans view job stress as a major problem in their lives. That's more than double the percentage in research conducted 10 years ago.

Burned-out workers become disillusioned, frustrated, resentful and aggressive. Their work performance may shift from impressive to barely adequate, or they may leave the organisation. The bottom line is that this can be very costly for companies, especially as burnout tends to target employees who are highly dedicated - just the workers you want to keep.

I was lucky. With rest, counselling and introspection, I rediscovered myself and my zest for life. Equally important, I learned vital coping and stress management skills that have allowed me to return to work and be as productive as before, yet with a healthier balance of my professional and personal life. I feel as though I have been given a great gift. I returned to work armed with new insights on leadership. I learned that one's ability to lead is not strictly based on MBA-like skills. The efficacy of leadership also depends on how you respond to the demands and challenges of your position, internal conflicts or interpersonal struggles. By better understanding myself and my response to my environment, I was vastly better prepared to handle the complexities of my role. I have learned that if a situation begins to trigger anxiety or stress, I should quickly recognise it and identify the reason. If these internal conflicts are recognised, they are almost always easy to resolve, allowing me to focus on the bigger picture. This has allowed me to approach even the most complex and demanding situation with the calm, dispassionate demeanour necessary to resolve it. In addition, I have learned to manage my personal life as rigorously as my professional life. This includes shutting down every night no later than 7pm to pursue personal interests, and religiously guarding my weekends and regular vacations.

By demanding this balance in my life, I have become more productive, not less. Those around me have seen a noticeable difference. Colleagues have complimented me on my equanimity even in the most difficult situations. They frequently comment that it is nice to see the "old John" back. Many have privately told me they admire my willingness to seek help and openly share my experience.

There is no question that I could not have negotiated this significant life challenge without the strong and unwavering support of those around me, particularly my wife and family. In addition, many PeaceHealth colleagues were supportive, especially my boss, PeaceHealth CEO John Hayward. Without his commitment and support, it is much less likely that my journey towards recovery would have been successful.

A year ago, PeaceHealth launched an initiative to improve the patient experience and help reduce stress among its employees. In my case, PeaceHealth fulfilled that mission in a deeply personal way. For that, I will always be indebted.

John Haughom is senior vice president of healthcare improvement at PeaceHealth, a private network of hospitals in the US Pacific Northwest