Chapter 6 Stress

What is Stress? Stress is a general term applied to pressures people feel in life. Stress is also the way we react physically and emotionally to demands where the outcome is uncertain and important.

Stress Is stress necessarily bad? ** Eustress — beneficial stress. Stress is a fact of life and is unavoidable. What are the symptoms showing stress?

Stress From our definition, two conditions are necessary for potential stress to become actual stress: uncertainty importance

The Relationship Between Stress and Job Performance High Yerkes-Dodson Curve Performance Low Stress High

Positive Stress (Eustress) Better focused Energized Motivated Aware of options – more creative Challenged rather than intimidated Change agent

Negative Stress (Stressor) Tense Anxious Angry or depressed Withdrawing or lashing out Frustrated Resist change

What happens in your body Stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol) are released Pulse, blood pressure and breathing increase Digestive system stops. Blood moves from internal organs to muscles

Effects of Stress Physiological Psychological Behavioral Headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure, hives Psychological Tension, anxiety, irritability, fear Behavioral Smoking, mannerisms, eating habits, sleep disorders

How Does One React to Stress? Avoid – Pretend it doesn’t exist. Resist – Fight stress Environmental factors – time, support Organizational factors – policies, rules Individual factors – education, training Confront/Adapt – Work to identify the real cause and eliminate it, change it, or cope with it.

Additional Implications Perception – a person’s perception of a situation will influence the level of stress. Locus of Control – internal versus external locus of control. Job Experience – the greater the job experience, the more comfortable the employee becomes with the work situation. Social Support – the stronger the relationships, the better one handles stress. Type of Personality – A or B.

Fight – Flight Response Fight response = Body prepares to defend itself Flight response = Escape distress rather than battle it

** Stress Management ** Techniques Establish personal priorities Physical exercise Time management Relaxation Music Pets

Summary It is important for you to find out how to handle stress for yourself and also to help those you lead. Stress is a general term applied to pressures people feel in life.

Summary Two conditions are necessary for potential stress to become actual stress: uncertainty and level of importance. Stress may be positive or negative. Stress can effect an individual physically, psychologically, and emotionally.

Summary Learn stress management techniques that work for you and those under your leadership.