Feeling stressed at work may be making you sicker than you ever imagined. Read what the experts say

When women have jobs that are high in stress but low in levels of control, their health can be thrown into a state of decline, according to a recent study.

A study published in the British Medical Journal claims that job-induced stress can take a serious toll on a woman's physical and mental health. The study, which spanned the course of many years, focused on more than 21,000 female nurses in relatively good health. Researchers discovered that when women work in a high-pressure environment where they have little control over their work and no social support system, their health-related quality of life can be drastically impaired. On the other hand, women with lower-demand jobs and higher levels of control over their duties were shown to have better health. The researchers also discovered that having someone to talk to about problems at work is beneficial, and that the health of all women in the study was improved by having a social support network in the workplace.

Being overloaded with tasks or having minimal control over the amount of work you perform and the timeframe in which it must be completed, may cause you to experience feelings of frustration or unhappiness. The result? Your body produces stress hormones. Stress hormones are typically released when an individual experiences psychological distress, and they negatively affect the body and its organs. Stress increases your susceptibility to heart disease, high blood pressure, depression and bodily pain, and strikes a blow to the overall health of women everywhere.

Although the real culprit is the dynamics of a busy, and perhaps poorly organised, workplace, there are some solutions you can implement to reduce your personal level of stress while at work.

Stress Reduction Tips:

• Try to develop a support system at your workplace by simply making friends with your work colleagues
• Try Yoga -- a great stress reducer that can be practised in the office.
• If you can, listen to your favourite soothing music while at work
• Be sure to get a good night's sleep every night
• Take a break -- walk away from your desk for five minutes to give yourself time to think clearly and relax
• Research a stress management class
• Close your eyes for a minute and visualise yourself somewhere peaceful and relaxing
• If stress is a serious problem in your workplace, discuss the possibility of restructuring your workload with your manager

Stress poses a serious threat to your body and mind, so it's crucial to find balance in your job before it makes you ill. Battling workplace stress will help you improve your health and your quality of life -- take action and relax.