Using Cannabis to Detox from a Stressful Workday

The rapid pace and increasing demands of the modern workday can cause the most resilient people to feel drained and overwhelmed. The pressure to meet deadlines, achieve department goals, and juggle priorities can become a source of stress detrimental to our health.

Many people who are experiencing symptoms of chronic stress, anxiety, or depression are turning to medical marijuana as a way to unwind at home. Individuals who suffer from high stress in the workplace can find it difficult to leave thoughts or problems experienced behind. And recharge their emotional batteries at the end of the day.

The body has a number of stress response mechanisms, which, unfortunately, increase the risk factors for adverse events, such as heart attack, stroke, anxiety sensitivity, and depression. Sustained levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) can also increase the risk of developing chronic diseases and inflammation.

As America learns more about medical marijuana and mental health, cannabis can be a natural aid for stress relief. Cannabis interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system and can help provide relaxation, relief from sore, tense muscles and may help with stress-related insomnia.

What Causes Workplace Stress and Burnout?

If you are feeling more stress than normal in your job or profession, you are not alone. A 2022 Gallup Pole revealed that 60% of workers surveyed felt emotionally detached at work, and 19% of workers indicated they consistently feel “miserable” in their job.

Chronic workplace stress is a great health concern, but employees do not feel comfortable talking to human resources or managers about the problem. Environments where employee conflict, unrealistic deadlines, lack of recognition, insufficient vacation time, and high workload can have a tremendous negative affect on employee health and wellness.

Here are six of the most common causes of workplace stress and employee burnout:

1. Organizational Culture

A toxic work culture can cause ongoing daily stress that can impact the mental health and wellness of employees. While the intention of management is to create a supportive, safe, and positive environment, bullying, gossip, passive-aggression, and other bad behaviors among co-workers can make an employee dread going to work.

Resolving issues with toxic behaviors in the workplace isn’t easy for employees. Most people want to do a good job, stay out of conflict, and go home. But over time, negative social behaviors can have a substantial impact on productivity and also the retention of great employees, who leave to find a more positive (and less stressful) environment.

2. Job Demands and Duties

If you love your job, chances are you are good at it. Having a job you love is definitely a luxury that many people appreciate. But not every employee is “living their best life” at work, enjoying the demands of their job and daily work.

While some employees have good coping skills, others can find extreme workloads or the difficulty of their job hard to manage. Some people may have jobs that erode their work and life balance and feel the need to work excessive (and often unpaid) hours simply to keep up with their workflow.

The Big Think podcast broadcasts an episode that is worth listening to if you feel your health or personal relationships have been impacted by your work responsibilities and job duties. Listen to “How work addiction negatively affects your mental and physical health” to learn why a lack of work and life balance can be harmful to your health.

3. Role Conflict in the Workplace

Are you the type of person that wears “many hats” in your organization? You may not have a clearly defined role, and everything feels like it is your job. As businesses stretch their resources in a difficult economy, human capital can also be scarce. That means some of the most talented, hardworking, and proficient employees may be given a disproportionate amount of work.

Role conflict can lead to chronic workplace stress by virtue of workload but also the unpredictable nature of the job. For job satisfaction, employees want to know what their core duties are and master them. That becomes difficult when there is no structure to their work responsibilities or clear communication of reasonable expectations an employer has for the employee. Every day can be a stressful day when an employee experiences role conflict in the workplace.

4. Physical Work Environment

If you work from home, you probably have no complaints about your work environment. But if you work in an office or building, there may be some things that contribute to a stressful day, from traffic to difficult parking and lack of public transportation to your workplace.

Some small to medium size companies may have a crowded office space, which can also cause stress hormones to peak. While many companies feel that open office designs are an effective use of space, employees may struggle to focus and concentrate in a loud environment.

5. Lack of Recognition

Of all the perks and benefits that can be offered to employees, recognition is the most important. When an employee has excelled in performance, contributed innovative ideas, and contributed to a positive effect in their department (or organization), they hope to be noticed.

In a 2022 survey conducted by OnePoll for Bonusly, 46% of U.S. workers quit because they felt unappreciated. Acknowledgment is so important for satisfaction in the workplace that another 65% shared they would work harder if they “felt their contributions were noticed by management.”

High-performing employees are most likely to feel the impact of a lack of appreciation or recognition in the workplace. Dr. Ruth Gotian is a career expert, and she wrote an interesting article on Forbes called “When Good Work is Rewarded With More Work.”

Instead of recognition or growth opportunities, hardworking employees who are dedicated to the success of the organization (and putting in long hours) have more work assigned to them and responsibilities. While managers may view this as trusting important projects to the most qualified team members, it can lead to burnout and resentment for a top-performing employee.

6. Work From Home (WFH) Isolation

Rising business costs mean more companies are accommodating work-from-home (WFM) practices. This can be a tremendous benefit to employees, who can avoid the commute and save money. Many studies also suggest that some people are actually more productive working at home, and that also supports the growing trend.

One study conducted by Owl Labs revealed that performance can increase an average of 13% when employees shift to working from home. The report also stated that people who WFM spend 10 minutes less per day in unproductive activities and, overall, contribute extra time averaging eight hours of salaried overtime.

Young adults who work from home, however, may experience a sense of isolation, which can have a negative affect on their mental health. Engagement with other employees and on-the-job training in person is important for building interpersonal skills and fostering a team environment.

One of the other obstacles that WFH professionals face is chronic stress. People who work from home put in longer hours and have a more difficult time “leaving their desk” and work duties, and that impacts work/life balance. One study reported that up to 76% of remote workers feel workplace stress affects their mental health.

What Are The Symptoms of Work-Related Stress?

How well do you cope with stress? It’s not a competition, but some people have a personality that is predisposed to manage stress better. At the same time, other people are less stress-resistant and can experience more severe symptoms and health risks when enduring chronic workplace stress.

The good thing about stress (if there is one) is that you know how stress feels. And you may also have an indication that your workplace stress may be causing changes in your physical and emotional well-being.

Here are common symptoms of work-related stress:

Physical Symptoms of Chronic Workplace Stress

Stress can cause a number of physiological symptoms that you may not recognize as a stress response from your body. Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of workplace stress include insomnia or poor sleep patterns, generally caused by anxiety.

Digestive problems such as indigestion, stomach pain, ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common for people who suffer from chronic stress. Muscle tension, migraines or headaches, and persistent fatigue are also possible symptoms.

People who suffer from chronic workplace stress may develop a weakened immune system, which can lead to more frequent viral and bacterial infections. And they are more prone to developing chronic diseases.

Behavioral and Mental Health Symptoms

Anxiety is one of the first things that someone suffering from chronic workplace stress may notice. Sometimes the anxiety can be worse on a Sunday when thinking about the work week ahead and going back into the office.

Decreased motivation or enthusiasm is another sign of chronic stress and workplace burnout. But it can be misinterpreted by management as a performance problem. When people feel burned out from sustained high levels of workplace stress, they can detach somewhat. High performers can allow their productivity to drop due to emotional fatigue.

Conflicts in the workplace are discouraged for obvious reasons, but how much of those interpersonal conflicts are impacted by chronic workplace stress? Irritability and mood swings, combined with feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with expectations, can cause friction, especially when the corporate culture is not focused on employee well-being.

Cognitive Impact of Chronic Workplace Stress

The ability to focus, concentrate, and creatively problem-solve is needed to perform most jobs well. But chronic workplace stress can disrupt those essential functions and cause memory problems, forgetfulness, or problems with critical decision-making.

Much like a computer hard drive, the brain can reach a point where information, emotions, and stress levels exceed coping abilities. When that happens, people may start worrying constantly, experience racing thoughts, and develop negative thought patterns and self-doubt.

Behavioral Symptoms

When was the last time you heard someone say, “I had a bad day at work; I am going to go do some Yoga.” Unfortunately, while the coping motives are sincere, the methods many choose to deal with chronic workplace stress are not healthy.

Coping methods may include using alcohol, illicit substance abuse, or tobacco. Many clinical studies link chronic workplace stress as a leading cause of alcoholism and drug abuse. Controlled substances have the ability to temporarily mute cognitive stress response but have a negative affect on human health.

Other behavioral symptoms that can indicate you are suffering from chronic workplace stress include:

• Changing in eating habits (overeating or abstaining).
• More frequent interpersonal conflicts outside of work.
• Social withdrawal.
• Less interest in hobbies or activities previously enjoyed.
• Loss of motivation for self-care (hygiene or appearance).

When every day at work is a high-stress experience, you can develop an impaired sense of accomplishment. Job satisfaction is important to our emotional and mental health. You may also experience feelings of guilt when you recognize symptoms of chronic stress developing, as though you cannot manage stress effectively.

It is important to look at these symptoms as health issues, not character flaws or lack of resilience. Over 67% of Americans have reported chronic stress as a major health issue.

How Can Work Stress Impact Your Health?

Chronic workplace stress can cause significant health risks. This is why it is crucial to reduce stress and avoid chronic diseases, cardiovascular risks, and mental health problems. The stress hormone cortisol is designed for rare moments when you need an energy and adrenaline surge (in case of injury or perceived threat to your safety).

Excessive amounts of cortisol over sustained periods of time, however, can harm your health in a variety of ways. Cortisol disrupts the brain’s neurotransmitters, which can lead to low mood, irritability, and cognitive problems (memory loss).

Cortisol also does a number on the human cardiovascular system. Adrenaline which is triggered by cortisol and other stress hormones is not meant to be a daily occurrence. Chronic workplace stress can increase heart rate and hypertension (high blood pressure). It can also increase the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

The digestive system is very sensitive to stress. This is why you may develop an upset stomach when you are in a stressful situation. That is because the surge of stress hormones disrupts the balance of gut bacteria you need for healthy digestion. It can also cause diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain.

Insomnia can be related to anxiety caused by chronic stress in the workplace. Stress can cause sleep disruption, and fatigue caused by poor sleep can reduce our body’s ability to cope with stress. And it can create a vicious cycle. Sustained symptoms of insomnia can also result in lower immune system resistance to diseases and infections.

Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne can be made worse by chronic stress. Stress hormones trigger an increase in inflammation that exacerbates skin problems. These same factors can cause poor scalp conditions, which can also lead to hair loss.

How to Use Cannabis for Relief from Chronic Workplace Stress

Now that we understand the different and unhealthy stress coping models that people rely on for chronic workplace stress, can the effects of cannabis actually help? Doctor-supervised cannabis use is safer than other substances and can health with stress-related disorders.

Cannabis use for symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, or depression is common. In fact, most state medical cannabis programs include them as a qualifying health condition. The commonly reported benefit is that marijuana use can promote relaxation and ease the impact of perceived stress.

The most commonly reported benefit of cannabis use is to help with symptoms of mental health conditions such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition and feel that chronic workplace stress is causing worsening symptoms, you may be eligible for a medical marijuana card.

What Kind of Strains Are Best for Stress Relief?

You want to avoid choosing 100% Sativa strains, as they are more prone to psychoactive effects that can increase energy and potentially feelings of anxiety. Sativa strains can provide an emotional uplift that can help with feelings of low mood and fatigue. They can make you feel happy, temporarily worry-free, and energetic, which is a nice break from feeling stressed out.

For daytime use, you may consider exploring cannabis strains that are a Sativa and Indica hybrid, leaning more toward Sativa dominant varieties. Some popular strains used by medical cannabis patients for the relief of chronic stress and anxiety include:

• Blue Dream
• OG Kush
• Jack Herer
• Granddaddy Purple
• Blue Cookies
• Girl Scout Cookies (GSC)
• White Widow
• Green Crack
• Cannatonic

Here is a tip if you are searching for the perfect strain to help with chronic workplace stress. Aim for cannabis products that have higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and lower levels of THC. High-potency cannabis can amplify feelings of anxiety and stress, whereas CBD can help reduce inflammation and mellow down the psychoactive effects of the THC in your medical marijuana.

If you have problems sleeping, you may consider trying an Indica-dominant gummy product or tincture before bed. Indica cannabis has a more sedative effect and may also help reduce muscle pain and stiffness caused by life stress.

Remember that smoking marijuana is just one option of many possible intake routes you can try. Some people prefer to use capsules, tablets, or tinctures. And edible cannabis products like gummies are easy to use and provide relief for 5-7 hours.

Future research is needed to understand how medical cannabis can help reduce some of the negative consequences of chronic workplace stress. Ask your MedWell Health and Wellness physician about steps you can take for harm reduction to protect your health from chronic stress.