1. MICHELLE KOFORD The Worksite and Stress

2. What is Occupational Stress? Defined as a condition where an aspect of work is causing physical or mental problems for an employee 1 Two types of stressors:  Work-related Stressors  Individual Stressors

3. What is Occupational Stress (cont.) Work-related Stressors:  Role ambiguity, role conflict, work intensification, interpersonal conflicts, and harassment Individual Stressors:  Financial worries, family and marital difficulties, and dual-role pressures between work and home life

4. How Does Stress Impact Health Occupational stress can impact behavior as well as mental and physical health 1  Impact on Behavior:  Aggression, absenteeism, decreased performance, and increased accidents  Impact on Mental Health:  Anxiety, irritability, and depression  Impact on Physical Health:  Digestive problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, and alcohol/drug dependency

5. How Does Stress Impact Health Increased risk for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD):  From a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health it was identified that those who experience occupational stress experienced an average of 50% excess risk for CHD among employees 2

6. Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms 4 Cognitive Symptoms:  Memory problems, inability to concentrate, poor judgment, seeing only the negative Physical Symptoms:  Aches and pains, nausea, dizziness, chest pain Emotional Symptoms:  Moodiness, feeling overwhelmed, Depression or general unhappiness Behavioral Symptoms:  Eating more or less, sleeping too much or too little, nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

7. How Can We Cope? Life-Situation Interventions  Keep work and home life separate  Have technology free time with the kids (go for a walk or play a game) Perception Interventions  Look for humor in stressors at work  Distinguish between need and desire  Identify the importance of family Physiological Arousal Interventions  Be active at work (walk to give someone a message instead of email) Emotional Arousal Interventions  Breathing and relaxation techniques

8. Meditation Used for relaxation and stress reduction During meditation you focus on clearing your head of all thoughts that are overloading your mind and causing stress

9. Meditation (Cont.) The Benefits of Meditation Include: 3  Gain a new perspective on stressful situations  Building skills to manage your stress  Increasing self-awareness  Focusing on the present  Reducing negative emotions

10. Activity!!!! Breathing Meditation:  http://marc.ucla.edu/mpeg/01_Breathing_Meditation.mp3

11. References 1. Heery, E., & Noon, M. (2008). A dictionary of human resource management. Retrieved from: http://www.oxfordreference.com.proxy.libraries.uc.edu/view/10.1093/ acref/9780199298761.001.0001/acref-9780199298761-e-664# 2. Kiyimaki, M., Virtanen, M., Elovainio, M., Kouvonen, A., Vaananen, A., & Vahtera, J. (2006). Work stress in the etiology of coronary heart disease – a meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health. 32(6), 431-442. 3. Mayo Clinic. (2011). Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/ meditation/art-20045858 4. Smith, M., Segal, R., & Segal, J. (2014). Stress symptoms, signs, and causes. Retrieved from: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm