Outline

1. PRESENTATION ONSTRESS MANAGEMENTAT THE WARRI BRANCH MONTHLY MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS (NSE) BYENGR./EVANG. OHWODO G.T.A. (MNSE, MNIMech, IMASSE)08 – 01 – 2011

2. Outline • Definition of Stress • Work pressure or Stress? • Stressors • Job Stress Vs. Performance • Health effects of job related stress • Handling stress • Conclusion

3. What is Stress? Stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize. …RICHARD S. LAZARUS (Professor Department of PSYCHOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, USA) • People feel little stress when they have the time, experience and resources to manage a situation. • Stress is therefore a negative experience. It depends a lot on people's perceptions of a situation and their real ability to cope with it. • The stress response inside us is therefore part instinct and part to do with the way we think.

4. Work Pressure or Work Stress…… • Work pressure – unavoidable demands from contemporary work environment • Stress - mismatch between demands or pressures and a person’s knowledge, ability and/or skills • Stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance which may lead to physical or emotional harm • Job related stress may sometimes be seen as • Positive (work challenges) or negative (demands can’t be met) • Short term (acute) or long term (chronic) • In 1996, the World Health Organization labelled Job stress a “worldwide epidemic.”

5. Job Stressors….. • Stressors are the demands, circumstances and situations that provoke or initiate stress.

6. Internal Stressors Some worker characteristics that may actually lead to job stress; • A need to be in control • A perceived or / lack of competence • A desire to please • A need to be perfect (Perfectionism)

7. Job Stress Vs Performance curve • What we think of as “job stress” is what happens when: • The challenges and demands of work become excessive. • The pressures of the workplace surpass workers’ abilities to handle them. • Satisfaction becomes frustration and exhaustion. Moderate degrees of stress improves performance Too much stress impairs performance Too little decreases motivation • When stress crosses the line from normal to excessive, the stage is set for illness, injury or job failure. • Unfortunately, “stress” has become synonymous with “work” for some. • …Hans Selye(Professor & Canadian Endocrinologist)

8. Health Effects of Job –related Stress • Headache • Sleep disturbance • Upset stomach • Difficulty concentrating • Irritability • Low morale, Job dissatisfaction • Poor relations with family and friends • Increased use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or coffee • Cardiovascular disease • Musculoskeletal conditions • Psychological disorders Early warning signs …National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health & WHO

9. From stress to burn outs………. • Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. • Burnout doesn’t happen overnight — and it’s difficult to fight once you’re in the middle of it.

10. Managing Job stress • What is stressful for you? • Pay attention to what leads you to feel stressed • How does stress affect you? • Identify the causes and symptoms. Address the causes • When are you most vulnerable to stress? • Plan your schedule to reduce the pressure • Recognize & accept your limitations • Discuss unfavorable job practices with your superiors.

11. Other Stress Management Tips • Exercise; physical fitness increases ability to cope with stress • Balance work and recreation • Develop a sense of humour • Be positive and optimistic, accept what you cannot change • Learn flexibility, develop friendship • Learn to say “ I need help”. • Eliminate or restrict caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and other stimulants • Learn to live one day at a time. • Utilize Time management skills

12. Time Tips for Stress Management • Make Time decisions based on analysis - take a look at how you currently divide your time. • Events and activities fall into one of four categories. • Not Urgent and Not Important • Urgent but Not Important • Not Urgent but Important • Urgent and Important • Spend majority of your time on items that fall in the last two categories • Focus your efforts on the things that will really make a difference for your job and life. • Use a diary, plan ahead but schedule daily….Prioritize

13. Conclusion • There will always be an element of stress in your life. • How you deal with it matters – remember stress is a response • Some pressure is necessary for people to perform & can be harnessed to produce; • Heightened awareness • Sharpened mental alertness • An increased readiness to perform • Stress management is part of good management. If you are overwhelmed by stress, don’t hesitate to get help. - Get counseling from your supervisor, doctor, friends, family or colleagues.

14. THANK YOU!!! QUESTIONS???