KINGSLEY GROUP Business Psychology Service Psychology Based Solutions Dr. Kimberley Hoskins MA (ED) PhD

The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. These pressures may come from differing sources and when their combined the effect is overwhelming, stress occurs. These pressures may come from differing sources and when their combined the effect is overwhelming, stress occurs. “Stress” is an alarm system designed to get you to recognise a threat to your survival. “Stress” is an alarm system designed to get you to recognise a threat to your survival. STRESS

Physical Stress Bodily Changes Brain goes on red alert and body prepares for action Muscles tense Lungs breath faster Digestion slows Adrenalin and Noradrenalin released Pupils dilate Mouth goes dry Sweating Heart beats faster Blood pressure rises Liver releases glucose Sphincters close

All of the following medical conditions are now well recognised as being induced by stress. Hypertension (high blood pressure) Hypertension (high blood pressure) Heart Attack or Angina Heart Attack or Angina Strokes Strokes Migraine Migraine Peptic Ulcers Peptic Ulcers Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative Colitis Gastritis (Inflammation of the Stomach) Gastritis (Inflammation of the Stomach) Pruritus (Intense Itching) Pruritus (Intense Itching) Asthma Asthma Hay-Fever and Allergies Hay-Fever and Allergies Menstrual Irregularities Menstrual Irregularities Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid Gland) Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid Gland) Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus Eczema and Psoriasis Eczema and Psoriasis Tuberculosis and Other Infections Tuberculosis and Other Infections Depression Depression Anxiety Anxiety Obesity Obesity Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia Nervosa Insomnia Insomnia Sexual Problems Sexual Problems

Stressful Life Events Suggested that experiencing life events which were stressful could produce serious damage to an individual’s health Changes at Work Changes at Work Fore Closure of Mortgage Fore Closure of Mortgage Financial Problems Financial Problems Moving House Moving House New Kitchen New Kitchen Holmes & Rahe. Scale Death of a spouse Death of a spouse Divorce/Marriage Divorce/Marriage Marital Separation Marital Separation Personal Injury or Illness Personal Injury or Illness Redundancy Redundancy

Official Statistics 2008/09 Stress and chronic ill health in the workplace cost 100bn Stress and chronic ill health in the workplace cost 100bn An estimated 87% of individuals in Britain, who worked in 2008 believed that they were experiencing work-related stress at a level that was making them ill An estimated 87% of individuals in Britain, who worked in 2008 believed that they were experiencing work-related stress at a level that was making them ill Mental Health Study 2008 showed 43% of adults suffer “Money Sickness Syndrome” Mental Health Study 2008 showed 43% of adults suffer “Money Sickness Syndrome” 20% begin missing work due to there debt 20% begin missing work due to there debt

Coping Strategies Best Stress Reducer –Rationalization –Defence Mechanism Maintain a Positive Attitude Maintain a Positive Attitude –(Negativity sucks the energy and motivation out of any situation) Acknowledge Acknowledge –Self Denial –Humour

Talk It Out Talk It Out Create a support structure Take Action A personal stress protection plan Take Action A personal stress protection plan

KINGSLEY GROUP Business Psychology Service Psychology Based Solutions Dr. Kimberley Hoskins MA (ED) PhD