SGTM 4: Stress Management

SGTM 4: Stress Management

Managing stress

What is stress? • Basic stress • Cumulative stress • Traumatic stress • Overview ― impacts and management of stress

Signs of stress • Physical, physiological • Mental, psychological

Getting ready for • Fright • Flight • Fight

Stress is informative • Essential for survival • Necessary for social development • Useful in other ways • Addictive • Manageable

Basic stress • Cumulative stress • Traumatic stress

Influences • Preceding situation • Past experience • Education, training • Professional skills • Age • Physical fitness • Self-confidence • Spiritual outlook

Basic stress from • No control • Threatening surroundings • Limited sleep, privacy • No challenge • Dull diet • No fun • Little family contact

Managing basic stress • Don’t abuse alcohol, tobacco • Take rest, exercise • Enjoy friendships • Nurture positive attitudes • Identify sources • Know limits • Manage time • Sleep enough • Eat regularly • Laugh often

Cumulative stress from • High frequency • Long duration • High intensity

Burnout • Changes attitudes • Avoids work • Or, becomes totally immersed • Develops negative outlook

Flame-out • Exhaustion, hyperactivity • Overwhelming negative emotions • Denial of symptoms • Loss of objectivity

Managing cumulative stress • Take responsibility • Learn to accept • Set realistic goals • Avoid overwork • Take care of self first

Traumatic stress from • Violence, disaster • Victims’ reports • Intimidation, threats • Bombing, attacks • Bad news from home

Burnout • Flame-out • Shell shock • Acute stress disorder • Post-traumatic stress disorder

Avoid disorders by • Accepting stress as normal • Relying on community

Preventingpost-traumatic stress disorder • Don’t be self-critical • Don’t imagine others think badly • Don’t suffer in silence: verbalize • Talk with competent colleague • Rest — take time to recover • Accept protective environment

Physical symptoms • Dizziness • Racing pulse • Sweating

Emotional symptoms • Shock • Anger • Exaggerated emotions • Depression • Overwhelmed

Normal = content Stressed = unhappy or “flat”

Cognitive symptoms • Erratic concentration • Forgetfulness • Impaired decision-making

Stress can change • Eating habits • Personal hygiene • Social habits

Recognize problems • Apply guidelines • Seek support

Preparing • Learn what to expect • Plan how to handle it

Managing • Identify the injury • Give first aid ― talk • Provide treatment (for basic, cumulative, traumatic stress) • Monitor healing • Seek professional help

Coping with caring • Listening • Sharing

SGTM 4: Stress Management