Stress is a 21st century biproduct of globalization coupled with
industrialization. WHO recognizes stress as one of the biggest challenges of our time.
Two theoretical models are accepted to study stressful psychosocial work environment
Job-Demand-Control (JDC) and Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) or Organizational
Justice (OJ) model. The work stressors like accumulating anxiety, insomnia or
excessive sleepiness and depression coupled with lack of job satisfaction, diminished
social life due to work pressure might lead to burn out occasionally leading to suicidal
tendencies among workers. Shift work and migration are other major contributors to
stress. A growing body of research underlines the significance of sleep for regeneration
as good quality of sleep improves attention, focus and ameliorates stress. Sleep-wake
cycle is regulated through neurons in hypothalamus as clock genes and Melatonin
synchronize circadian rhythm which in turn influences emotion, behavior and
cognition. Stress is a precursor of many disorders. Stress negatively stimulates
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-adrenal axis and Autonomic Nervous Systemwhile circadian
rhythm collapses during ageing. Allostatic adjustments are undertaken to maintain
Homeostasis to prevent disease. The dysregulation of Allostatsis end in tertiary
outcomes like cancer, depression, stroke, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease.
Organizations are encouraged now-a-days by researchers to educate workers regarding
sleep as a component of workers’ health. Proper sleep is like basic practice of
sanitation and hygiene which if properly undertaken helps avert a number of health
related issues.
Keywords: Stress, anxiety, depression, behaviour, work stressor’s, economic
health, sleep, sleep-wake cycle, circadian rhythm, regeneration, Homeostasis,
Allostatsis, Alzheimer’s disease, migration, burn out, shift work, melatonin,
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN).
