Coping with workplace stress

Housekeeping › mobile phones › break times › toilets › emergencies © smallprint 2

Workshop overview At this workshop the following will be addressed: › the nature and effects of stress › the causes of excess workplace stress › the symptoms of excess stress › reasons why stress issues must be addressed › methods of dealing with stress related problems © smallprint 3

Workshop expectations What do you know about the topic? What do you need to know? What outcomes do you expect from this workshop? © smallprint 4

Activity © smallprint 5

Topic 1 © smallprint 6 Stress: any force or event that has an effect on the body or mind. Some stress is good and a necessary part of life.

Necessary stress © smallprint 7 Athletic achievement Tuning a violin

Good stress/ bad stress © smallprint 8 ‘[Excess] Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realise that you haven’t fallen asleep yet.’ (Anon)

Impact of inappropriate stress levels 1.High levels of absenteeism. 2.Increased attrition. 3.Poor work performance. 4.Low morale. 5.Low worker commitment. 6.Increased frequency of accidents. 7.Industrial relations difficulties. 8.Poor relationships with suppliers and customers. 9.Difficulty retaining good employees, at all levels. © smallprint 9

Reactions © smallprint 10 Excess stress › Poor performance › Dysfunctional behaviour › Health problems › High performance › Job satisfaction › Involvement › Optimum performance › Poor performance › Dysfunctional behaviour › Health problems Too little stress Moderate stress Too little or too much stress can be harmful.

Activity © smallprint 11

Topic 2 © smallprint 12 Excess stress

Stress factors ‘One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.’ (Bertrand Russell) © smallprint 13

Constructive v destructive stress Human performance © smallprint 14 Performance and well being Peak performance Under stimulation Over stimulation Too little Optimum Too much Stimulation

Change and workplace stress © smallprint 15

Reactions © smallprint 16 Stress itself is not harmful – it is our reaction to stress/ stressors that causes illness or disease.

Activity © smallprint 17

Topic 3 © smallprint 18

The cost of stress © smallprint 19 Stress related absenteeism directly costs Australian employers $10.11 billion a year. It costs the Australian economy approx. $14.81 billion a year. 3.2 days per worker are lost each year as a result of workplace stress. It is estimated that 1 in 3 adult workers suffer from moderate to extreme stress overload and are at risk of stress-related health problems. ( Hence the need to understand and manage stress responses.

Responding to requests © smallprint 20

Delegate ‘Delegating means letting others become the experts …’ ( Timothy Firnstahl) © smallprint 21

Activity © smallprint 22

Topic 4 ‘Stress: the confusion created when one’s mind overrides the body’s basic desire to choke the living daylights out of some jerk who desperately deserves it.’ (Anon) © smallprint 23

Managing emotions © smallprint 24

Cognitive restructuring ‘Don't let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries.’ (Astrid Alauda) © smallprint 25

Handling the behaviour of others © smallprint 26 Can you cope with the behaviour of others ?

Assertiveness © smallprint 27 Negotiate for the purpose of fulfilling your needs - without overriding the needs of others.

Activity © smallprint 28

Topic 5 © smallprint 29

Lower your stress levels at work © smallprint 30

Relaxation Important for mental and physical health. © smallprint 31

Diet © smallprint 32

Exercise © smallprint 33

Sleep © smallprint 34

Social support and networks © smallprint 35

Relaxation techniques ‘Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.’ (Etty Hillesum) ‘There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.’ (Sylvia Plath) © smallprint 36

Activity © smallprint 37

Summary Before leaving today please share: › 1 important thing you learned › 1 new practice you will undertake at work › 1 activity you enjoyed Thankyou for your attendance and participation. © smallprint 38

Two thoughts ‘Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.’ (Natalie Goldberg) ‘Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.’ (Richard Carlson) © smallprint 39