Understanding Allostatic Load: Navigating the Impact of Chronic Stress on Health in the Workplace

In today's fast-paced world, where demands and responsibilities seem never-ending, more and more individuals are finding themselves under constant stress.

A term gaining great prominence in the field of stress research that begins to shed light on the physiological toll this stress takes on our bodies is the Allostatic Load, In this article, I will refer to this as AL.

AL refers to the cumulative effects that chronic stress has on mental and physical health. More simply, it refers to the 'wear and tear' on the body that life events and environmental stressors create. When events occur that exceed an individual's capacity to cope, AL will also occur.

While stress is a natural response designed to keep us safe in dangerous situations, constant stress without adequate recovery can lead to a range of health issues. This concept goes beyond the immediate "fight or flight" response and encompasses the long-term impacts of stress on our overall well-being. Our bodies react to stress by triggering the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, over prolonged periods of time this can lead to inflammation and result in all forms of mental and physical health problems. In fact, medical research estimates as much as 90% of all human illness and disease is stress-related (Salleh, 2008) and it has now been estimated that 60-80% of all visits to GPs are for stress-related problems (Nerurkar et al., 2013). When the latest findings are released it is likely these numbers will be even more concerning.

Common stress sources that contribute to an increase in an individual's AL are:

1. Work-Related Stress: The modern workplace, with its dynamic challenges and relentless expectations, can be a breeding ground for stress. Striving for excellence and navigating high-pressure environments can lead to the accumulation of stress that affects both our mental and physical health.

2. Mental and Emotional Stress: The battles waged within the mind are often the most concealed yet profound sources of stress. Pressing responsibilities, unresolved conflicts, and self-imposed pressures can generate a constant undercurrent of stress.

3. Physical Stress: While exercise is a pillar of good health, excessive physical strain without adequate recovery can tip the balance toward stress. Striving for fitness goals is commendable, but overtraining can lead to fatigue, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to injuries. Remember, exercise is only effective if you are able to recover effectively!

4. Relationship Stress: Interpersonal relationships, while enriching our lives, can also be sources of stress. Miscommunications, conflicts, and unmet expectations can contribute to huge amounts of emotional strain.

5. Spiritual Stress: In the pursuit of a meaningful life, spiritual disconnection or a lack of purpose can evoke a unique form of stress. Feeling adrift or disconnected from our values and beliefs can lead to existential unease.

6. Environmental Stress: The modern environment, rife with pollutants and chemicals, presents a distinct kind of stress on our bodies. Our biology evolved in a different world, and exposure to countless synthetic compounds can disrupt our natural equilibrium. With so many of us now living in big cities and with diets high in ultra-processed foods we are susceptible to more enviro-toxins than ever.

AL refers to the cumulative effects that chronic stress has on mental and physical health. More simply, it refers to the 'wear and tear' on the body that life events and environmental stressors create. When events occur that exceed an individual's capacity to cope, allostatic overload will also occur.

While stress is a natural response designed to keep us safe in dangerous situations, our bodies react by triggering the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, over prolonged periods of time which in turn can lead to inflammation and result in all forms of mental and physical health problems.





At HumanOS we work closely alongside our clients to help them understand their teams and stressors so they can build effective strategies to improve their wellbeing and in turn the effectiveness of their business. It is a complex topic with many factors that need consideration but a few of our favourites are below:

• Comprehensive Programmes & Education: Introduce stress management programmes that encompass mindfulness training, meditation sessions, and stress reduction workshops. These initiatives equip employees with practical tools to manage stress in real time and cultivate resilience over the long term. We recently hosted a “Mindfulness in the Modern World” masterclass for a client of ours and they found so much value in this, they have since rolled out weekly group meditation sessions in the office for anyone who would like to attend. Provide opportunities for skills development and career growth. Empowered employees who see a future within the organisation are more likely to manage stress effectively.
• Leadership Support, Role Modelling & Regular Assessments: Encourage leadership to embrace wellbeing practices and lead by example. When employees witness their leaders prioritising their health, it fosters a culture of wellbeing. Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of your wellbeing strategies through surveys, feedback, and metrics. Adapt the programmes based on the evolving needs of your employees. Establish transparent communication channels between employees and management. Open dialogue allows employees to voice concerns, reducing uncertainties that often contribute to stress. Employees having trust and feeling safe is crucial for communication to be effective.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Promote work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements, remote work options, and reasonable workload distribution. This empowers employees to better manage their responsibilities, reducing the strain that often contributes to AL. Offer workshops in time management and priority setting to help teams organise tasks and prevent the accumulation of stress due to excessive workloads.
• Support & Initiatives: Provide easy access to mental health resources such as counselling services, therapy, and mental health awareness campaigns. Normalising conversations around mental health can begin to alleviate the emotional burdens of stress. Integrate physical wellness programmes, including fitness challenges, on-site workout facilities, and ergonomic assessments. Encouraging regular exercise and promoting healthy habits can counteract the physiological effects of stress.
• Promotion of Social Connections: Foster a sense of community within the workplace through team-building activities, social events, and mentorship programs. Strong social connections serve as buffers against stress. This also ties into flexible working arrangements and encourages people to spend time doing what they love with those they love, so they can recharge their batters and perform at their best.
• Incentives for Wellbeing Practices: Implement incentive programmes or partner with providers that reward employees for participating in wellness activities, encouraging their active engagement to prioritise their health. Often we see organisations offering a range of wellbeing partnerships but they are not being used by their teams. Listen to your team's needs and partner with companies that can help you reach them.

At HumanOS we built our services based on all the above - we deliver solutions to our clients that our tailored to their requirements and meet the needs of all the people. A proactive and relevant wellbeing strategy not only allows organisations to create environments that reduce stress but also promotes a culture of resilience and thriving.

As individuals continue to strive for success in multiple areas of life, it's imperative to grasp the implications of AL and explore strategies to mitigate its effects.

Check out today’s newsletter for our 10 Top Tips to reduce your AL as an individual (click here to register).

Bianca, Co-Founder @ HumanOS 🌅

References:

1. Juster, R. P., & McEwen, B. S. (2010). Stress and allostatic load: a significant link to psychopathology. Psychiatric Clinics, 33(3), 537-554.
2. Ganzel, B. L., Kim, P., Glover, G. H., & Temple, E. (2008). Resilience after 9/11: multimodal neuroimaging evidence for stress-related change in the healthy adult brain. NeuroImage, 40(2), 788-795.
3. McEwen, B. S. (2000). Allostasis and allostatic load: implications for neuropsychopharmacology. Neuropsychopharmacology, 22(2), 108-124.
4. *Nerurkar, A., Bitton, A., Davis, R.B., Phillips, R.S. and Yeh, G. (2013). When Physicians Counsel About Stress: Results of a National Study. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(1), p.76. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/2013.jamainternmed.480.*
5. Salleh, M.R. (2008). Life event, stress and illness. The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS, [online] 15(4), pp.9–18. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3341916/.
6. Seeman, T., Singer, B., Rowe, J., Horwitz, R., & McEwen, B. (1997). Price of adaptation—allostatic load and its health consequences: MacArthur studies of successful aging. Archives of Internal Medicine, 157(19), 2259-2268.