STRESS MANAGEMENT DEFINITION: THE NON-SPECIFIC RESPONSE OF THE BODY TO ANY DEMAND

An emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences and capable of affecting physical health which can be characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability and depression

FACTORS INFLUENCING Managerial STRESS The drive for success Changing work patterns Working conditions Overwork Under-work Uncertainty Conflict Responsibility Relationships at work Change at work

THE DRIVE FOR SUCCESS Our society is driven by ‘work’, personal adequacy equates with professional success, we crave status and abhor failure. Our culture demands monetary success / professional status.

CHANGING WORK PATTERNS Many people feel lucky to have a job. Unemployment, redundancy, shorter working weeks, new technology affect emotional and physical security. No more jobs for life, more short - term contracts. Financial and emotional burnout is increasing among all levels.

WORKING CONDITIONS Physical and mental health is adversely affected by unpleasant working conditions, such as high noise levels, lighting, temperature and unsocial or excessive hours.

OVERWORK Stress may occur through an inability to cope with the technical or intellectual demands of a particular task. Circumstances such as long hours, unrealistic deadlines and frequent interruptions will compound this.

UNDERWORK This may arise from boredom because there is not enough to do, or because a job is dull and repetitive.

UNCERTAINTY About the individuals work role - objectives, responsibilities, and expectations, and a lack of communication and feedback can result in confusion, helplessness, and stress.

CONFLICT Stress can arise from work the individual does not want to do or that conflicts with their personal, social and family values.

RESPONSIBILITY The greater the level of responsibility the greater the potential level of stress.

Stress Management The General Adaptation Syndrome[GAS]. Selve, ‘ a non- specific response to any demand made upon an org’ The three distinct phases are known as alarm, resistance exhaustion. 12

Stress Management Alarm- It is the initial stage of mobilization by which body meets the challenge posed by the stressor. When a stressor is identified the brain sends forth biochemical message to all the body’s system. Blood pressure rise, muscles tense up etc. If stressor continues GAS proceeds to Resistance- It includes tension, anxiety & fatigue. Exhaustion- If stressor continues and body exhausts its ability to adapt 13

Stress Management Symptoms of stress. Biological- It means lack of appetite, carving for food, frequent indigestion, heartburn, constipation, tiredness etc Psychological- It includes negativism, irritability, anger over nothing, Inability to concentrate or take decision, uncertainty whom you trust, inner confusion etc. Behavioral- constant irritability, unable to cope, lack of interest in life, feeling to failure 14

STRESS MANAGEMENT CAUSES OF STRESS FALL INTO TWO CATEGORIES: EXTERNAL INTERNAL EXTERNAL STRESSOR MAY BE MAJOR LIFE EVENTS: (REFER TO HOLMES-RAHE SCALE) MOVING DEATH OF SPOUSE, FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND DIVORCE 15

STRESS MANAGEMENT MAY BE CAUSED BY EVERYDAY PRESSURES SUCH AS: FINANCIAL DEADLINES ARGUMENTS FAMILY CONCERNS LACK OF SLEEP 16

STRESS MANAGEMENT INTERNAL STRESSORS “INSIDE OURSELVES” THIS TYPE OF STRESSOR MAY PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN THE STRESS OF DAILY LIFE 17

STRESS MANAGEMENT EXAMPLES ARE: “VALUES AND BELIEFS” FAITH GOALS SELF-IMAGE EXPECTATIONS OF SELVES & OTHERS 18

STRESS MANAGEMENT PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: MUSCLE TENSION NAUSEA, VOMITING HEADACHES JAW, NECK & BACK PAIN DIARRHEA SLEEP DISTURBANCES DRY MOUTH, SWEATY PALMS UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS COLD HANDS BREATHING CHANGES (E.G., SHALLOW, SIGHING) 19

STRESS MANAGEMENT EMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS: ANXIETY, WORRY, GUILT, NERVOUSNESS ANGER, FRUSTRATION MOODINESS DEPRESSION APPETITE VARIES RACING THOUGHTS NIGHTMARES DIMINISHED CONCENTRATION IMPAIRED MEMORY OR FORGETFULNESS 20

STRESS MANAGEMENT BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS TARDINESS SERIOUS APPEARANCE NERVOUS BEHAVIOR/HABITS RUSHING/PACING ON EDGE INCREASED FRUSTRATION/IRRITABLE MORE ACCIDENTS OVERREACTING 21

Is stress needed? In mild doses stress will induce productivity

Is Stress a problem? Physical Problems Psychological Problems Stress is good in mild doses but if it exceeds the limit it can lead to

FOUR KINDS OF STRESS 1. There is the positive kind called EUSTRESS, which is short term stress and actually arises to strengthen us for immediate action, creativity and times when we need inspiration and motivation. 24

25 2. DISTRESS is negative and harmful and causes us to adapt to changing situations; there is the short-term variety of acute stress that passes quickly, and long-term chronic stress. 3. HYPERSTRESS is when we get so stressed out that we just overload because it is just too much for us to handle. 4. HYPOSTRESS means just not enough stress. We need a little bit in our lives, otherwise we feel bored and have nothing challenging us.

Coping Strategies

Play Sports and Exercise 27

EAT A HEALTHY DIET 28

YOGA is a useful stress reducing exercise; The harmony with which the body moves, in sync with the breath has therapeutic and calming effects. 29

HAVING HOBBIES HELPS 30

FORGIVE OTHERS & YOURSELF 31