1. STRESSCENTRAL.COM STRESSCENTRAL.COM A website dedicated to learning about stress A website dedicated to learning about stress Startling Facts About Stress:  40% of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful.  Job stress is more strongly associated with health complaints than financial or family problems.  25% of workers have felt like screaming or shouting because of job stress, 10% are concerned about an individual at work they fear could become violent.  25% view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives. Workload Stress Disorders Stress Disorders Remedies FAQ Links STRESS 101 STRESS 101 Home Last updated 12/4/03

2. STRESS 101 What is Stress? Stress can fall in 4 main categories, Environmental, Thermal, Psychological and Life Stressors. In general stress can be defined as the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. With the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, a job promotion, or a new relationship, we experience stress as we readjusting our lives. In so adjusting to different circumstances, stress will help or hinder us depending on how we react to it. Workload Stress Disorders Stress Disorders Remedies FAQ Links STRESS 101 STRESS 101 Home Last updated 12/4/03

3. WORKLOAD  Work overload, underload, and sleep disruption all interact in a complex way. All have negative consequences to performance, can be experienced, and therefore can be adequatly defined as stressors.  Work overload prediction is found by using the equation (time required/time available), if this percentage is greater than 100% negative affects from stressors is highly possible.  Work underload, considered under arousal, can be considered a stressor. Maintaining sustained, vigilant attention in low-workload situations can be both fatiguing and stressful. can be both fatiguing and stressful. FUN FACTS: 40% of job turnover is due to stress. 40% of job turnover is due to stress. Stress can be addictive, people can get addicted to Stress can be addictive, people can get addicted to the adrenaline rush caused by stress without even the adrenaline rush caused by stress without even knowing it. knowing it. Workload Stress Disorders Stress Disorders Remedies FAQ Links STRESS 101 STRESS 101 Home Last updated 12/4/03

4. Stress Disorders Excessive stress can have a problematic affect on the mind and body. Chemical and physical changes occur to anyone experiencing stress, if not dealt with properly, disorders can occur. Listed below are the common disorders caused by stress.  Hypertension: A rapid increase in blood pressure and heart rate. It is believed 1 in 3 Americans suffer from hypertension. It is believed 1 in 3 Americans suffer from hypertension.  Anxiety disorders: Constant worrying, uncontrollable nervousness.  Burnout: Fatigue caused by excessive stress on the mind and body. and body.  Depression: Recurring sad thoughts, constant negative thinking.  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Inability to control certain compulsions to where it affects every day life. compulsions to where it affects every day life. Workload Stress Disorders Stress Disorders Remedies FAQ Links STRESS 101 STRESS 101 Home Last updated 12/4/03

5. Remedies for Stress The human body is designed for fight or flight, caveman Used stress to deal with threats. Unfortunately the Contemporary human mind is affected by stress the same way, but copes with with it differently. Improper stress relief could lead to more disorders, listed below are some commonly used coping techniques.  Deep Breathing oxygenates the blood and helps calm hypertension caused by stress.  Don’t procrastinate, saving things for the last minute causes huge amounts of stress.  Set realistic goals, don’t let impractical goals be a stressor on the mind. Think about changing your thought process.  Exercise releases lots of energy that could be used worrying and creating stressors. Workload Stress Disorders Stress Disorders Remedies FAQ Links STRESS 101 STRESS 101 Home Last updated 12/4/03

6. Frequently Asked Questions How can I eliminate stress from my life? You don’t want to eliminate all stress from life, stress can provide motivation and self worth. Lack of stress causes apathy and could lead to depression. How can I manage stress better? Find main stressors in your life, and see if it worth all the worrying. Or practice a coping technique to help change your reaction to the stressor. How can I tell what the optimal stress for me is? There is no way to perfectly identify this, reflect on your everyday life and evaluate your reactions. Find a balance so you could deal with certain stressors and disregard others. Workload Stress Disorders Stress Disorders Remedies FAQ Links STRESS 101 STRESS 101 Home Last updated 12/4/03

7. LINKS The link below takes you to the non-profit organization, The American Institute of Stress.  www.stress.org www.stress.org Workload Stress Disorders Stress Disorders Remedies FAQ Links STRESS 101 STRESS 101 Home Last updated 12/4/03