Not many of us are fortunate enough never to experience stressful or anger-inducing days at work. Most of us operate under a certain amount of pressure from our working demands, often coupled with demands of our personal lives, and can occasionally see red as a result. However, the latest research has highlighted the importance of finding coping mechanisms for stress and anger in the workplace, to avoid the prospect of seriously damaging your health.

Research was carried out on 2,755 male employees in Stockholm between 1992 and 1995 with results monitored up to 2003, and centered on how the men coped with conflict at work. The men were asked which approach they took in response to anger: dealing with the situation head-on, not saying anything, walking away, or developing headaches or tummy aches or bad tempers when at home.

The male employees had not had a heart attack when the research started. Factors such as the men’s blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol levels, were considered during the study conducted from the Stress Research Institute at Stockholm. Aspects of their personal lives including whether they smoked, drank or exercised, their education, job demands and ability to make decisions, were also noted.

The research found a strong link between pent-up anger and heart disease. The male employees who either walked away from conflict or simply said nothing had double the risk of a heart attack or dying from heart disease, compared to the men who tackled the conflict head-on. Those who experienced headaches, tummy aches or bad tempers did not increase their risk.

Up to 2003, the research found that 47 of the 2,755 men had a heart attack or died from heart disease. The scientists involved explained that anger causes a physiological tension which, if not released, will increase blood pressure which will, in turn, damage the cardiovascular system.

It is unrealistic to think we can just simply avoid conflict in the workplace. Instead, we need to find ways of coping with stress and anger for our corporate well-being and long-term health.

Bupa highlights the importance of looking after yourself as a coping strategy. Eating a balanced and nutritional diet, having enough sleep, and exercising regularly will all help you deal with workplace pressures. Anger is normally linked to a sense of frustration or stress, and the endorphins which are released during exercise help relieve these feelings. Endorphins boost your mental well-being and self-esteem, leaving you feeling more able to tackle difficult situations head-on.

Companies too, can help ensure the workplace pressures are well managed by staff and corporate fitness is gaining popularity as businesses realise the strong connection between staff well-being and productivity levels. Initiatives to help staff tackle anger and stress include corporate fitness programmes including Ride2Work, stress management workshops, counselling and health screens.

Esteem Fitness offer a range of support packages for companies, so they can provide corporate health for staff. With services including personal training, group training, on-site staff health assessments, corporate well-being workshops, and Ride2Work schemes, Esteem Fitness work with companies across England to bolster staff health and well being.

With a particular emphasis on making sure staff remain healthy, mentally and physically, Esteem Fitness tailor all offerings to the particular company and the staff needs. When it comes to anger and stress management, the workplace can be a stressful environment and it is vital that and employer takes adequate steps in providing effective coping mechanisms to support your well-being of the employees. Simple tactics like facilitating eating a sensible diet and getting some exercise can make all the difference. Esteem Fitness run workshops on corporate well-being through healthy eating and lifestyle support issues.

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