Stress Management

Stress Management

Course Objective • Explain What is Stress • Describe the Symptoms of Stress • Explain What are Stressors • Explain the Types of Stress • Describe the Stages of Human Stress Response • Explain What is Stress Management • Describe the Causes of Stress in Workplace • Explain the ABC Strategy for Stress Management • Explain the Steps of Stress Management • Describe the Stress Management Techniques • Explain the Approaches to Stress Management • List the Tips for Managing Stress

Introduction Let us take a look at the lives of four people – a housewife, an office executive, a student and a retired person. Oh, No! I still haven’t got the breakfast ready. I have to also get kids ready for school. God! I am feeling weak and exhausted! Housewife

Introduction Let us take a look at the lives of four people – a housewife, an office executive, a student and a retired person. How do I get these reports ready? I am not sure how to prepare the graphs for the report! How will I face the boss? To top it, I am getting this splitting headache! Office Executive

Introduction Let us take a look at the lives of four people – a housewife, an office executive, a student and a retired person. Why do I have to study Accounts? I just don’t seem to understand it! What will I do in the exams tomorrow? I have lost all appetite! Student

Introduction Let us take a look at the lives of four people – a housewife, an office executive, a student and a retired person. House expenses are just mounting up day by day. I also need to get my car repaired and also need new dentures. How will I meet my expenses? I will also need to see a doctor, for these acidity attacks that I am having now-a-days! Retired Person

Introduction You can see that no-one is spared from the evil of stress. Whether it is a housewife, an office executive, a student or a retired person, all of them experience stress due to different reasons. Exhaustion Headaches Loss of appetite Acidity attacks Also, you can see that stress takes a toll on their mental and physical health. Office Executive Retired Person The stress either makes them feel exhaustion, headaches, loss of appetite or acidity attacks. STRESS Housewife Student Hence, it is important to understand and manage stress. Let us learn about stress management in detail.

What is Stress? Any influence that disturbs the natural equilibrium of the living body. A psychological response which follows failure to cope with problems. It is a common response to an attack. A feeling of sustained anxiety which over a period of time leads to disease.

Symptoms of Stress There are various symptoms of stress that are experienced in different aspects such as follows: • Behavioral Symptoms • Appetite changes - too much or too little • Eating disorders - anorexia, bulimia • Increased intake of alcohol and other drugs • Increased smoking • Restlessness • Fidgeting • Nail biting • Hypochondria Emotional Symptoms Behavioral Symptoms Mental Symptoms Physical Symptoms Let us look at each in detail.

Forms of Stress Post traumatic stress Acute traumatic stress General stress Cumulative stress Acute traumatic stress • Acute Traumatic Stress: • This form of stress is a critical incident stress • It produces considerable physiological distress • This is a normal reaction to abnormal events

Resistance When the stress is maintained, then comes the stage of ‘resistance’. The alarm symptoms dissipate and the body develops an adaptation to the stress.

Impact of Stress on Performance

Definition of Workplace Stress Our emotions are getting affected in the workplace because of the social, occupational, environmental and psychological elements that we see as threats. These perceived threats are external and stress is a reaction of the human body. These threats are considered as external stimuli and human body is treated as internal stimuli. The amount of stress depends on the individual’s ability to deal with the external factors as the relative intensity of the stimuli. For example, the stress of creating a software would be more for a fresh graduate who has just joined the company than the stress it would cause an employee with experience.

Strategies for Reducing Workplace Stress • • • • • • • • Management recognizes workplace stress and takes steps regularly to reduce stress. Mental health benefits are provided in the health insurance coverage. There is good communication between employer and employees. Workers are aware of the work load and they have a clear job description. Freedom is given to employees to talk with their co-workers during work

Stress and Gender

Tools to Measure Stress Levels Existing tools that measure stress are as follows: Stress Assessment Test Stress Meters Biodots Stress Exams Seeking Professional Help

C A ABC Strategy for Stress Management B • There is a fine line between positive / negative stress • How much can you cope with before it becomes negative? Control Awareness Balance • What causes you stress? • How do you react? • What can you do to help yourself combat the negative effects of stress?

Steps of Stress Management Step 2: Assess the stressors • Assess the organizational stressors • Recognizing symptoms of stress • Recognize Physical signs • Recognize Emotional signs • Measuring stress in organizations • Assess how stressed are you?

Personality and Stress • Type B – Placid • Such people are characterized by the following traits: • Quiet • Very little worries them • Worry only about things they can alter or control and leave others to worry about the rest

Stress-Helpful Foods Vitamin A Brewers’ Yeast Vitamin C Iron Zinc Iodine Calcium Ginseng Selenium Molasses Chlorella Evening Primrose Oil

Tips for Managing Stress Tip #3 Be social Tip #1 Add good nutrition and exercise Tip #2 Laugh • Keep your body healthy and strong with nutritious foods • Avoid eating diet with high fat • Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol • Laughter may be one of the healthiest antidotes to stress • When you laugh or, just smile, the flow of blood to the brain is increased • Laughter leads to the release of endorphins which results in a drop in the level of stress hormones • When you feel stress, your instincts tell you to isolate yourself • Call friends and live with younger children • Do volunteer work

This is a DEMO Course On – Stress Management. • Complete Course Consists of 194 Slides. Join MSG Todayand Get Access to Unlimited Courses. • We offer high-impact, self learning courses designed to help you develop the skills, knowledge, and capabilities needed to succeed in studies and challenging work environment. Our courses support a host of mandatory, elective, and continuous learning needs at every level of development • What Do You Get with each Course: • View All Courses Online. • Download Powerpoint Presentation for Each Course. • Do the Knowledge Checks for Each Course. ManagementStudyGuide.com

Stress Management