Managing Stress Martha Reavley Odette School of Business

Introduction n Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things Ican and the wisdom to know the difference

Topics of Discussion n What is stress? n Causes and Consequences n Individual Differences n Managing Stress

What is Stress? n A person’s adaptive response to stimuli n GAS - Selye’s proposition on 3 stages of stress process u alarm u resistance u exhaustion

Good & Bad Stress n Eustress: positive stress - accompanies pleasurable events n Distress: Negative stress - accompanies unpleasant events

Responding to stress n Response depends on personality: u Type A vs. Type B (tests) u Hardiness u Optimism

Organizational Stressors n Task demands n Physical demands n Role demands n Interpersonal demands

Life Stressors n Dramatic changes in life cause stress response (usually negative)

Consequences of Stress n Individual: u behavioural u psychological u medical

Consequences of Stress n Organizational: u performance declines u withdrawal u attitudes u burnout

Managing Stress n Exercise; relaxation; time management; role management n Work design; work schedules; culture; Supervision n Stress management programs; health promotion programs; sabbaticals

Case: Over the edge