STRESS MANAGEMENTChapter 6- HRIM 150 Corinne Miller

The Effect of Stress in the Workplace

Fifty-four percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives. (APA Survey 2004)

62% of Americans say work has a significant impact on stress levels. (APA Survey 2004) A majority of workers (52%) are more stressed because of work than home. (APA Survey

2004)

54% of workers are concerned about health problems caused by stress. (APA Survey 2004)

45% of workers list job insecurity has a significant impact on work stress levels. (APA Survey 2004)

61% of workers list heavy workloads as a significant impact on work stress levels. (APA Survey 2004)

Executives and managers tend to have the most stressful jobs, while self-employed workers are the least stressed. (APA Survey 2004)

One in four workers have taken a mental health day off from work to cope with stress. (APA Survey 2004)

73% of Americans name money as the number one factor that affects their stress level. (APA Survey 2004)

http://www.hardcore-stress-management.com/stress-statistics.html

The Basics About Stress

A stressful situation:

Any threatening external stimulus that elicits an immediate response from the body.

Responses from the body include: Increase in respiration Increase in blood pressure Muscles tense and there is an increased sense of

alertness Release of glucose and fatty acids to provide extra

energy Adrenaline is secreted and circulated to alert the

entire body

Not All Stress is Bad?

Stress in moderation can actually have positive influence on productivity and improved performance

The tolerance of the amount of stress a person can handle depends on the individual

Everyone has a burnout point or a switch when stress starts to become counterproductive and take physical, psychological and behavioral tolls on a person

The Forbes Continuum

The Forbes Continuum: There is a point of productivity that exists directly in the middle of

an under load of work and an overload of work At the middle of the Continuum optimal performance occurs, and

on either end of the spectrum no productivity takes place Qualities such as boredom, irritability and over qualification for

work takes place at the under load end while strained relationships, irritability and poor judgments occur at the over load end

In the shaded region productivity occurs with qualities such as mental alertness, high energy, and realistic analysis of problems

Stress can be bad too…

Remaining in a high level of stress for a prolonged period of time causes distress and can have lasting effects on physical and psychological health and even behavior

Physical: Heart Disease Hypertension Headache Formation of Ulcers

Stress can be bad too…

Psychological: Anxiety (an anticipatory tension or vague dread persisting in the

absence of a specific threat) Sleep disturbances Depression

Behavioral: Increase smoking Alcohol and drug abuse Accident proneness Violent tendencies Eating disorders

Example of stress in the workplace Behavioral: Violent tendencies

Effects of Change and Uncertainty

Decision Stress is associated with change and uncertainty

The following steps allow change to happen effectively:

change in small steps change one thing at a time have a clear, specific goal find a support person don’t be discouraged by some degree of failure use positive energy and self-talk

How to manage your stress… Don’t use statements that blame, make excuses, have

negative expectations, assume failure or regret Choose which battles you want to fight (or stress about) Use internal control techniques such as: Relaxation response Stress inoculation Humor Meditation Use external control techniques such as: Diet and Nutrition Time management Preventing Procrastination

Remember:

Establish support systems with close relationships

If relationship is nonresponsive then don’t waste your time

Don’t underestimate the pleasures that come from simple things

A little stress management……goes a longgg way