Dealing with Stress...can’t live with it; can’t live without it.

Stress: a Definition Stress is the uncontrollable urge to choke the living daylights out of some jerk who doesn’t realize how much he is ticking me off.

Your Definition of Stress:

We know we’re stressed when: We’re constantly tired; We’re constantly tired; We’re constantly thinking of work; We’re constantly thinking of work; We’re constantly complaining; We’re constantly complaining; We’re no longer fun to be with; We’re no longer fun to be with; We lose our temper easily; We lose our temper easily; We spend more hours doing less work. We spend more hours doing less work.

There’s good stress & bad stress: Good: Good: –Keeps us alert –Keeps our edge –Keeps us interested –Keeps us focused –Keeps us energized Bad: Bad: –Distracts us –Dissipates our talents –Brings on boredom –Dissipates our energy –Exhausts us

Stressors can work independently Environmental: “Open Door” Building/Office Set-up Interpersonal: conflict mistrust lack of support poor communication Organizational: role conflict role ambiguity work overload Organizational structure Private Life: family finances personal time health pressure from friends Personal: type A intrapersonal conflict heredity

How do we know we are stressed? Physical problems: Physical problems: –fatigue –insomnia –frequent headaches –weight loss/gain –gastrointestinal problems –more serious physical problems

How do we know we are stressed? Behavioral Problems Behavioral Problems –mood swings –irritability –loss of caring for others –lack of a feeling of control –addictive behavior

Coping…. Watch your attitude Watch your attitude Think positively Think positively Think rationally Think rationally Practice mind control Practice mind control Analyze goals and priorities Analyze goals and priorities Prioritize your activities Prioritize your activities Set achievable goals Set achievable goals

Coping…. Recognize your limits Recognize your limits Organize your life Organize your life Be flexible Be flexible Recognize uncertainty of life Recognize uncertainty of life Organize each day Organize each day Budget your time Budget your time Pace yourself Pace yourself

Diminishing Stress Recognize the source Recognize the source Avoid negative people Avoid negative people Develop nurturing relationships Develop nurturing relationships Be honest about your feelings Be honest about your feelings Learn to say “No” Learn to say “No” Keep physically fit; take a break Keep physically fit; take a break Ask for help Ask for help

Recognize Common Errors Illusion of courtesy Illusion of courtesy Image of availability Image of availability Low value of one’s own time Low value of one’s own time Desire to be helpful, needed, loved Desire to be helpful, needed, loved Desire for esteem Desire for esteem Desire to be superman/woman Desire to be superman/woman Not choosing the “hill to die on” Not choosing the “hill to die on”

REMEMBER: Stress is an INDIVIDUAL matter THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR: A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND WORK

Be Convinced: We cannot get rid of stress, but we can manage it, and we can prevent it from becoming “burnout”.

Are you becoming “burned out”? Experiencing increased fatigue/lack of energy? Experiencing increased fatigue/lack of energy? Feel as though you’re working harder and accomplishing less? Feel as though you’re working harder and accomplishing less? Disenchanted and critical about your work? Disenchanted and critical about your work? Too busy for family and friends? Too busy for family and friends? Feel trapped? Feel trapped? Easily irritated? Easily irritated? Life is overwhelming? Life is overwhelming?

MANAGE YOUR STRESS Exercise Exercise Take a mental health day/even lunch out Take a mental health day/even lunch out Relax, keep a good balance Relax, keep a good balance Keep a stress diary, journal Keep a stress diary, journal Organize and prioritize Organize and prioritize Delegate Delegate Watch smoking, alcohol consumption Watch smoking, alcohol consumption Laugh Laugh

Ask yourself: What’s important? What do I really need to do today? What’s important? What do I really need to do today? What can I leave till the end of the day? What can I leave till the end of the day? To whom can I delegate this task? To whom can I delegate this task? How can I step away from the day? How can I step away from the day? What can I give up? What can I give up? What rituals can I re-develop? What rituals can I re-develop?

A Prayer to Manage Stress The Lord is my pace-setter; I shall not rush He makes me stop for quiet intervals He provides me with images of stillness to restore my serenity He leads me in the ways of efficiency through calmness of mind and guidance to peace. Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret,for His presence is here. His timelessness, His all-importance will keep me in balance. He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with His oil of tranquility. My cup of joyous energy overflows. Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours and I shall walk in the pace of the Lord.