Work, Stress, and May Day

Workplace stress can affect your health. Let’s explore work, stress, and May Day.

What Is May Day

May Day commemorates workers and the history of modern-day workers to transcend struggles and gain rights. May 1 is commonly known as May Day. May Day is commonly known as International Workers’ Day.

May Day in the rest of the world is akin to Labor Day in the USA and Labour Day in Canada.

May Day historically in European cultures derived from pagan festivals related to Spring.

Stress Defined

Stress is the physiological response of a being to stressors. In simpler terms, stress is how your body and mind react to stressors. In other words, stress is how we react to challenges we face.

Stress can be good stress (eustress) and negative stress (distress). Eustress can motivate a person. Distress can lead to health issues for a person. Balance between eustress and distress and developing skills to manage stress allow a person to flourish in life.

Work-related Stress Is Real

Workplace-related stress can be detrimental to your health.

Workers have rights to safeguard workers’ health and safety. Society has developed laws and created agencies to protect workers and to address workplace conditions which are deleterious to the health and safety of workers. Society has developed guidelines which employers have to follow in order to protect workers. Trade unions have been at the forefront of advocating for workers.

Nevertheless, workplace stress exists. We have deadlines to meet. We are tasked to learn new skills. We must navigate workplace dynamics and politics. We are called to interact with people even when we or they are experience stress outside of the workplace.

Learn Skills to Manage Workplace Stressors

Seek help if you need it to manage your life in the workplace. Many employers offer Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services. Local mental health agencies can offer wonderful resources.

Practice self-care. Sleep. Eat. Exercise. Fuel your soul.

Join a trade union.

Take time to socialize with your friends and family.

Practice diplomacy in your social interactions.

Reach out to your neighbours.

Offer words and acts of kindness.

Spend time in nature.

And, most importantly, remember that life is a process. You work to live. You ought not to be living to work. Leave a job that is maiming your soul; stealing your time; corrupting your values; coopting your ethics; breaking your body; or suffocating you literally or figuratively.

Take-aways: Work, stress, and May Day

Take a moment to learn about the history of May Day.

Evaluate your workplace conditions and workplace value. Remember to thank coworkers, supervisors, and leadership in your place of work who share in making your jobsite safe. Thank your employer, if appropriate, for listening to your concerns and making changes in the workplace to help you and your coworkers to be as productive and happy as you can be at work.

Stand up and be counted. Work is a part of life so let’s make it a fabulous part of life.

Of course, music to inspire all workers:

Bella Ciao, a traditional Italian workers’ song, performed by the Esteriore Brothers. Inspire yourself with the rhythm, the melody, the lyrics, and its history.

Be safe. Be hopeful. Be healthy.

Selected References:

Cleveland Clinic. (May 15, 2024). Stress. Accessed online on May 2, 2025, at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11874-stress

May Day International Observance. Brittanica. Accessed online on May 2, 2025, at https://www.britannica.com/topic/May-Day-international-observance

May Day European Seasonal Holiday. Britannica. Accessed online on May 2, 2025, at https://www.britannica.com/topic/May-Day-European-seasonal-holiday

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to substitute for a consultation with your mental health professional team.

If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, please CALL 9-1-1; CALL 9-8-8; or GO TO the nearest emergency room.

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