How To Become A Stress Buster How To Become A Stress Buster

Survey of 2,504 workers in 6 countries. Age of employees reporting highest stress levels? 35 years or younger. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer, December 3, 2005 Why This Subject Is Important

Most-vulnerable to workplace stress, according to Canadian executives? Middle managers Source: Workforce Week newsletter, March 30, 2004 Why This Subject Is Important

1. 1. Identify the physical & emotional warning signs of stress Discover techniques to control/lower stress Learn how to balance the relationship between excess input (emotional, mental and physical) and productivity Explore why different people react differently to stress. By the end of this session, you will: Learning Goals

u uTight jaw, grinding teeth, sinus problems u uNeck pain, back pain, heartburn, gut problems u uLeg pain, tightness of breathing, tight chest Physical Stress Signs

u uYou're not thinking very clearly. u uYou get angry, you stay angry. You're frustrated. u uIt doesn't matter what's happening, you just feel depressed or you're hopeless or you feel very anxious .  You have butterflies in your stomach. Emotional Stress Signs

  Pressure: External events/circumstances triggering an internal reaction, which we call stress.   Brain sends 2 hormones to the adrenal gland.   The adrenal gland produces:   Adrenalin. Good and bad: increases muscle tension and blood pressure. “Fight or Flight.”   Cortisone. Small amounts: repairs body and suppresses immune reactions. Too much for too long: can cause serious problems. Key Ideas and Application

The Good News: Remove yourself from pressure and your kidneys will remove excess adrenalin and cortisone from your blood. Key Ideas and Application

The Bad News: If excess adrenalin and cortisone remain in your system for too long, you are more susceptible to disease, or worse. Key Ideas and Application

Stress: A health issue and a management issue Key Ideas and Application

1.Too much or too little to do. 2.Lack of communication up and down the hierarchy. 3.Feeling unappreciated. 4.Inconsistent performance reviews. 5.Unclear expectations and roles. 6.Doubt – unclear organizational direction. 7.Vicious office politics that breed mistrust. 8.Too many interruptions. Top 8 Sources of Stress

n n What are your biggest physical & emotional stress signs? How long have you had these? How do these signs impact you and others? (Amanda’s techniques, meditation, exercise, prioritizing, mental breaks, selfish breaks, etc.) How do we reduce internal reactions? (Amanda’s techniques, meditation, exercise, prioritizing, mental breaks, selfish breaks, etc.) (Manage expectations, better planning, time management, delegation, utilize resources, ask for help, etc. How do we reduce external pressures? (Manage expectations, better planning, time management, delegation, utilize resources, ask for help, etc. Technique to control and lower stress

Stress Curve High Low Productivity LowHigh Optimum Performance Sleep Boredom Increased Interest Stress Anxiety Panic Collapse Pressure/Stimulus

n n What strategies and tools can we use to intervene when we or others are on the downward slope? Review of progressReview of progress EncouragementEncouragement BreaksBreaks Add resourcesAdd resources Provide someone to helpProvide someone to help Adjust deadlinesAdjust deadlines training, practice runstraining, practice runs building confidence levels building confidence levels developing strong teamsdeveloping strong teams Stress Curve

  Physical & Emotional Signs of Stress   Techniques to Control/Lower Stress   Four Stress Buster Strategies   Balance Between Input and Productivity Review of Learning Goals featuring Amanda Gore

And Finally …..