Work well-being: what is the difference between Distress and Eustress?

According to research by EU-OSHA (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work), 44% of workers in Europe reported an increase in work-related stress due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to peaks in psychological well-being issues. Simultaneously, the WHO estimates a loss of approximately 12 billion workdays due to depressionDepression is a disorder characterized by persistent sadness... More and anxietyAnxiety is an emotional response characterized by feelings o... More, and $1 trillion annually in productivity, recommending the implementation of interventions to manage stressWhat is stress? From a clinical perspective, stress is a phy... More in workplaces.

Work-related stress worldwide and in Italy

According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace report, 62% of workers worldwide do not feel engaged and enthusiastic in their company. In Europe, 16% of workers even show their discomfort by opposing the achievement of company goals. In Italy, about46% of workers experience high daily stress at work.

Hence, the concept of organizational well-beingOrganizational well-being refers to the optimal condition of... More has become an increasingly clear priority. The balance between productivity and overall worker health has become crucial. A pedagogical perspective is needed to offer a unique and integrated approach to promoting well-being within organizations, considering human dynamics and continuous learningIl termine apprendimento - con i sinonimi imparare, assimila... More as fundamental for a sustainable work environment.

Not all stress is negative: differences between distress and eustress

We know that stress, triggered by environmental factors, is one of the most widespread risk factors for our health.

Stress affects our well-being even at the epigenetic level, as shown by research from RINED in collaboration with CNR and Sapienza University. Healthy environments and habits that support well-being are essential for slowing down the epigenetic clock and preventing premature aging.

Does this mean we should avoid all forms of stress in every area? Not necessarily. Stress itself is not inherently negative. In fact, it has certainly played a crucial role in the evolution of our species. The key is balance.

When we face tasks that seem undefined or even impossible, we enter a state of difficulty known as “distress.” A discomfort many experience in the workplace. Conversely, when we set tangible, measurable, and achievable goals, the right amount of stress helps us have more energy and focus. In this case, it is called “evolutionary stress,” or “eustress”.

Eustress for personal and professional growth

The pedagogy of organizational well-being aims to create spaces that foster workers’ personal and professional growth. This also requires setting challenges within the employees’ reach. According to principles from learning studies, a task should be perceived as possible, but not so easy as to be unrewarding.

Training programs, mentoring, and counseling can be key tools in this process. Every individual should be encouraged to discover and develop their abilities, thereby improving self-esteemThe term self-esteem literally refers to the evaluation of o... More and their relationship with work, without neglecting the concrete demands of different productive contexts.

A pedagogical approach to organizational well-being implies a holistic view, where workers are seen as active learners in an environment that promotes personal and professional development. To foster such growth, attention to soft skills is essential. These are the emotional and relational competencies with oneself and others that help enhance overall well-being.

Attitude, motivation, and productivity

Researchers note that in the workplace, people often assign a specific perspective to their job. These perspectives fall into three main categories: work, career, and vocation, regardless of the type of occupation. For example, a doctor may be motivated solely by the need for a salary, while a street cleaner may embrace their role with passion.

A study at New York University highlighted these differences in attitudes among hospital cleaning staff. Those who saw their work as a vocation performed their duties with dedication, including understanding their role in patient recovery, anticipating the needs of doctors and colleagues, introducing creativity into their tasks, and efficiently organizing time and responsibilities. In this way, they were over 75% more productive than their colleagues.

Moreover, numerous studies report that happy workers tend to earn more, have lower absenteeism, and lower turnover. In terms of productivity, employees with a positive mood are more efficient, generating more outputs per hour than those with a negative mood. Organizations positively rated by their employees tend to achieve higher business gains, highlighting the importance of a satisfying work environment oriented toward employee well-being.

Elevation, an invaluable feeling

Studies with numerous subjects show that happinessHappiness represents an emotional state characterized by pos... More and social fulfillment often find their highest expression in the workplace, surpassing hobbies or volunteer work. Professional happiness relies on elements such as clear rules, feedback on work quality, shared goals, and shared results.

The social contribution derived from work significantly increases happiness, yet humanity’s well-being cannot rely solely on workplace philanthropy, such as employment in care or social support services.

The correlation between professional happiness and humanity’s well-being is highlighted by an “invaluable feeling” described by University of Zurich researchers in 2017, linking this perception to happiness. This well-being is also reflected in the brain, with regions associated with social behavior, happiness, and more positive decision-making when personal actions positively impact others. The feeling experienced is described as “elevation,” explored by psychologist John Haidt. Elevation is the emotion triggered by altruistic actions, showing that memories of such deeds are more positive than simple pleasurable activities. This highlights the importance of contributing to the common good to achieve deeper and lasting happiness.

Creating a supportive environment: the secret of gratitude

A pedagogical perspective emphasizes the need to create a work environment that supports and values employees. This can include promoting collaboration, open communication, and attention to individual needs. Working in an environment where one feels heard and respected significantly contributes to overall well-being. Positive emotions stimulate cooperative behavior, which leads to better workplace relationships, which in turn lead to higher productivity. GratitudeGratitude, a positive emotion linked to the recognition and ... More can be a valuable secret.

Workplace gratitude is increasingly studied for its impact on stress management and interpersonal relationships. Recent studies show that expressing gratitude can significantly reduce stress levels during work activities. These experiments were conducted by researchers at the University of California with university students representing workplace-like dynamics.

Divided into groups, some participants shared feelings of gratitude, while others shared simple daily experiences before performing stressful tasks. Results showed that those who expressed gratitude had better cardiovascular responses to stress, suggesting that this feeling can be a valuable tool for successfully facing workplace challenges. Additionally, gratitude enhanced memory of social resources and increased self-confidence. Expressing gratitude not only protects against negative social evaluations but also improves interpersonal relationships.

In practice, practicing gratitude at work can positively impact stress management and performance. It is therefore important to sincerely express this feeling whenever the opportunity arises.

Regulating emotion and reducing stress

The pedagogy of organizational well-being can integrate emotion and stress management techniques. Workers can be trained to develop resilienceWhat is meant by resilience? According to the American Psych... More, self-awarenessIl termine autoconsapevolezza si riferisce primariamente all... More, and emotion management, allowing them to face daily challenges with greater balance and serenity. In experimental studies, when a positive mood was induced, the group was able to generate more original ideas. Individuals were more creative. Positive moods also led to greater cognitive flexibility and broader attention.

Many tools and techniques can be used in this field, but there are also daily practices that can go unnoticed, undermining efforts to create a supportive environment. This refers to email use, a seemingly neutral tool that appears to offer only benefits, but requires careful attention.

The example of emails and time management

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by emails, and a study showed that the average professional spends 4.1 hours per day managing emails. To better understand why emails can become so overwhelming, Dorie Clark from Duke University conducted an experiment, tracking and categorizing every email received for two weeks. She found that every “yes” leads to additional, often unexpected tasks, and that it is essential to exercise strict judgment to manage email time effectively. Additionally, she noted that it is easier to say “no” when one realizes how many people are making requests.

Finally, she recommended focusing on truly priority emails, such as client communications and engagement opportunities, rather than getting lost in the volume of messages. Understanding the signal-to-noise ratio in emails and recognizing how easy it is for others to make requests can help make wiser decisions about where to focus attention.

Regarding this, 5 aspects to watch for:

1. A high number of unread emails (about 92%) causes stress among employees, increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
2. Time spent on emails negatively affects productivity, often leaving a feeling of an unproductive day.
3. Checking emails outside of work hours leads to emotional exhaustion and compromises work-life balance.
4. Complex email communications can cause misunderstandings and tensions among colleagues, negatively affecting job satisfaction and professional relationships.
5. Frequent email checking, which can average up to 74 times per day, is a major source of stress for workers.

On many occasions, choosing verbal communication, a call, or an online meeting may seem like a waste of time. But with a longer-term perspective, we can see how it positively affects our mood, which has beneficial effects on every aspect of work.

In conclusion, adopting a pedagogical perspective in organizational contexts not only promotes employee well-being but also creates a virtuous cycle of growth and development. A vision that puts learning at the center of the work environment can help reduce stress, improve job satisfaction, and increase productivity. Ultimately, organizational well-being through the lens of pedagogy represents an advanced approach that can significantly contribute to creating more sustainable and human organizations.