1. Coping with workplace stress

2. Housekeeping › mobile phones › break times › toilets › emergencies © smallprint 2

3. Workshop overview At this workshop the following will be addressed: › the nature and effects of stress › the causes of excess workplace stress › the symptoms of excess stress › reasons why stress issues must be addressed › methods of dealing with stress related problems © smallprint 3

4. Workshop expectations What do you know about the topic? What do you need to know? What outcomes do you expect from this workshop? © smallprint 4

5. Activity © smallprint 5

6. Topic 1 © smallprint 6 Stress: any force or event that has an effect on the body or mind. Some stress is good and a necessary part of life.

7. Necessary stress © smallprint 7 Athletic achievement Tuning a violin

8. Good stress/ bad stress © smallprint 8 ‘[Excess] Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realise that you haven’t fallen asleep yet.’ (Anon)

9. Impact of inappropriate stress levels 1.High levels of absenteeism. 2.Increased attrition. 3.Poor work performance. 4.Low morale. 5.Low worker commitment. 6.Increased frequency of accidents. 7.Industrial relations difficulties. 8.Poor relationships with suppliers and customers. 9.Difficulty retaining good employees, at all levels. © smallprint 9

10. Reactions © smallprint 10 Excess stress › Poor performance › Dysfunctional behaviour › Health problems › High performance › Job satisfaction › Involvement › Optimum performance › Poor performance › Dysfunctional behaviour › Health problems Too little stress Moderate stress Too little or too much stress can be harmful.

11. Activity © smallprint 11

12. Topic 2 © smallprint 12 Excess stress

13. Stress factors ‘One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.’ (Bertrand Russell) © smallprint 13

14. Constructive v destructive stress Human performance © smallprint 14 Performance and well being Peak performance Under stimulation Over stimulation Too little Optimum Too much Stimulation

15. Change and workplace stress © smallprint 15

16. Reactions © smallprint 16 Stress itself is not harmful – it is our reaction to stress/ stressors that causes illness or disease.

17. Activity © smallprint 17

18. Topic 3 © smallprint 18

19. The cost of stress © smallprint 19 Stress related absenteeism directly costs Australian employers $10.11 billion a year. It costs the Australian economy approx. $14.81 billion a year. 3.2 days per worker are lost each year as a result of workplace stress. It is estimated that 1 in 3 adult workers suffer from moderate to extreme stress overload and are at risk of stress-related health problems. (www.medibank.com.au) Hence the need to understand and manage stress responses.

20. Responding to requests © smallprint 20

21. Delegate ‘Delegating means letting others become the experts …’ ( Timothy Firnstahl) © smallprint 21

22. Activity © smallprint 22

23. Topic 4 ‘Stress: the confusion created when one’s mind overrides the body’s basic desire to choke the living daylights out of some jerk who desperately deserves it.’ (Anon) © smallprint 23

24. Managing emotions © smallprint 24

25. Cognitive restructuring ‘Don't let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries.’ (Astrid Alauda) © smallprint 25

26. Handling the behaviour of others © smallprint 26 Can you cope with the behaviour of others ?

27. Assertiveness © smallprint 27 Negotiate for the purpose of fulfilling your needs - without overriding the needs of others.

28. Activity © smallprint 28

29. Topic 5 © smallprint 29

30. Lower your stress levels at work © smallprint 30

31. Relaxation Important for mental and physical health. © smallprint 31

32. Diet © smallprint 32

33. Exercise © smallprint 33

34. Sleep © smallprint 34

35. Social support and networks © smallprint 35

36. Relaxation techniques ‘Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.’ (Etty Hillesum) ‘There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.’ (Sylvia Plath) © smallprint 36

37. Activity © smallprint 37

38. Summary Before leaving today please share: › 1 important thing you learned › 1 new practice you will undertake at work › 1 activity you enjoyed Thankyou for your attendance and participation. © smallprint 38

39. Two thoughts ‘Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.’ (Natalie Goldberg) ‘Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.’ (Richard Carlson) © smallprint 39