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1. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Haradhan Kumar Mohajan,

Rajib Datta, Int. J. Eco. Res., 2012, v3i6, 01-17 ISSN:

2229-6158 STRESS MANAGEMENT POLICY

ANALYSIS: A PREVENTATIVE APPROACH Jamal

Nazrul Islam Emeritus Professor, Research Centre for

Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of

Chittagong, Bangladesh Haradhan Kumar Mohajan Premier

University, Chittagong, Bangladesh, E-mail:

[email protected] Rajib Datta Department of

Finance, Faculty of Business Studies, Premier University,

Chittagong, Bangladesh. Cell: +8801819895389, E-mail:

[email protected] the present world human

resource is considered as one of the most important

resource. In the era of dynamicbusiness most of the

organizations invest a huge amount of money and spend a

great deal of time and efforts asthough they can properly

utilize and manage this vital resource. Stress is one of the

burning questions that hinder theofficers and workers

performance and productivity. In this paper all experiences

of jobs are discussed whichaffects human minds and

bodies. It has been essentially built the inputs which are

obtained by conducting acomprehensive study covering the

aspects of stress in todays business. An attempt has been

taken to address threemajor key areas related with the types


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and sources of work related stress, impact of stress on

individuals and the wayof managing stress.Keywords:

Stress, Employee Stress, Stress management, Occupational

stress, Reduction of stress, Prevention

ofstress.INTRODUCTIONEvery era in history has been

characterized first to describe the fight or flight

responseby some incapacitating diseases. Plague, as a

series of involuntary physiological andPolio and

Pneumonia were eliminated when biochemical changes that

prepare one to dealthe environmental conditions were

improved with threats of danger (Cannon 1918).or when

the germs or viruses were destroyed Professor Hans Selye

in 1956, first timeor protected through drugs or vaccines. In

introduced before the public the concept ofthe modern

society we have some stress in a medical sense to indicate

thecharacteristic diseases, but normally overloading of

works on human body. Heconsider not being so easy to

eliminate. It found that any problem, real or imagined,leads

to psychosomatic disease or heart could cause the cerebral

cortex (the thinkingdisease and it is a major contributor to

part of the brain) to send an alarm to thedisturbances in

ones emotional, family and hypothalamus (the main switch

for the stresssocial life. It inhibits creativity and personal

response, located in the midbrain) (Selyeeffectiveness and


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it is present as general 1976). The hypothalamus then

stimulates thedissatisfaction that is so obvious in our daily

sympathetic nervous system to make a serieslives. The

name of this condition is stress. of changes in our body and

our heart rate,Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical

breathing rate, muscle tension, metabolism,tension. It is a

form of tension in the body or and blood pressure all

increase (Stress andmind for which there is no release or

outlet. Stress Management 2010). Job stress is theThe

Canadian Centre for Occupational major cause for job

dissatisfaction, whichHealth and Safety (CCOHS) declares

that creates disturbances in the quality of life, so,stress can

worsen when there are high it results unhappiness (Kumar

2011). Thedemands placed on a worker in a particular

theory of preventive stress management injob, but the

worker has little control over organizations was originally

formulated inthose demands. 1977.The modern meaning of

stress was laid by Stress is very much dynamic condition

inDr. Walter B. Cannon, a physiologist at which people

confronted with opportunities,Harvard almost 100 years

ago. He was the constraints or demand related to what one

1IJER | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012Available

[email protected]


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ways of managing stress.really avoid it. But it is

necessary to be ableto manage stress, otherwise chronic

stress, if METHODOLOGYleft untreated, can lead to a

variety of stress This study has been conducted based

onrelated illnesses such as hypertension, heart both primary

and secondary data availabledisease, anxiety, depression,

memory on the relevant field. The primary data

areimpairment, panic attacks, digestive collected through

personal interviews fromdisorders, autoimmune diseases

and chronic some professionals. Research works,fatigue

syndrome (Cooper 1996, Porth 1998, publications and texts

on this relevant fieldGruner 2006, and Provino 2010). are

used for this study. This study is coveredIf anybody is

resulted by stress, he/she feels by 90 respondents broadly

from differentnon-sleeping, remains nervous in much of

fields and categories. Among thethe time, gets sick a lot,

apathy of participate respondents, 70 were married, 20

werein anything, change in the quality of work, unmarried;

70 were male, and 20 wereand remains irritable and

moody. Stress and female. Again among the 90

respondents, 20stress related problems such as anxiety and

were working in financial organization, 5 indepression are

now the foremost reasons for service organization, 40 in

manufacturing,absenteeism from workplace in the United


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and 15 were physician and 10 wereKingdom (UK) costing

the economy at least businessman (table-1). To measure the

2IJER | NOVEMB the importance in managing

stress,sometimes they are lower. Hence stress is a

andnormal part of everyday life and we cannot measuring

the impact of stress onand no one is free from it.

Sometimes stress job,levels are comparatively higher and

identify the prevalence andand turnover (Daniels 2004).

development of indicators for stress,Everyone suffers from

stress on some level measuring the extent of stress,health

care and treatment costs, absenteeism identify the causes

of stress inEuros in the European Union and more than

personal and social life,150 billion dollars in the USA,

mainly for define stress clearly,estimated to be in the

range of 20 billion

2. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Haradhan

Kumar Mohajan, Rajib Datta, Int. J. Eco. Res., 2012, v3i6,

01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158desires and for which outcome is

perceived 26 billion in lost working time, whereto be both

uncertain and important. Stress is treatment cost is not

included.associated with constraints and demand. Rahim

(2010) studied on the employees ofTwo conditions are

necessary for potential the banking sector of Pakistan and

expressesstress to become actual stress. There must be that

the banking sector is becominguncertainty over the


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outcome and the increasingly competitive around the

country,outcome must be important. Stress produces which

increasing psychological problems,not only the bad things

all time but also such as stress, strain, anxiety,

depression,produce some positive outcome in some sleep

disorders, etc. He expresses that thespecial events.

Sometime when people biggest killer is not AIDS or cancer

butremain under pressure they feel to get psychological

problems.something and they work more and harderwhich

increase the total productivity. This OBJECTIVESpaper

will provide the critical view about the The main objective

of the study is tostress and consequences of it which will be

evaluate the stress and the way of managingmore helpful to

manage it and development it in personal and

organizational life. Otherof way to handle more stressful

situation. objectives of this paper are follows:The overall

cost of stress at work has been ER - DECEMBER

2012Available [email protected]

improves performance. 3IJER | NOVEMBER -

DECEMBER 2012Available [email protected]

feels exciting, andcrisis in our lives. But stress is a normal

part is perceived as within our copingthe body. Stress can

be caused by events that abilities,are pleasing as well as

events that create is short-term,endanger, or excite us and


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place demands on motivates, focuses energy,reaction that

frightens, irritate, confuse, 3. Jamal Nazrul Islam,

Haradhan Kumar Mohajan, Rajib Datta, Int. J. Eco. Res.,

2012, v3i6, 01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158opinion of respondents

especially for physicians we used 5 point Likert scale (1-5)

whichindicate more popular to least. Table 1: Sample

distribution. Nature of respondents Married Unmarried

Total Businessman 10 0 10 Employee of service

organization 0 5 5 Manufacturing employees 35 5 40

Physician 10 5 15 Employee of financial organization 15 5

20 Male 55 15 70 Female 15 5 20We emphasized that the

cause-effect of daily life and the effects of stress are

notrelationships is the relation between stress always

negative.and cardiovascular illness. Stress also effects In

small quantities, stress is good; it canthe organization that

is linked to motivate us and help us to become

moreabsenteeism and productivity. productive, but too

much stress or a strong response to stress can be harmful.

Stress canDEFINITION OF STRESS arise from any

situation or thought thatStress can be defined in general

term as makes one feel frustrated, angry, or anxious.people

feel pressures in their own life. The Everyone sees

situations differently and hasstress due to work load can be

defined as different coping skills, so, no two


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personsreluctance to come to work and a feeling of will

respond exactly the same way to aconstant pressure

associated with general particular situation. Situations that

arephysiological, psychological and behavioral considered

stress provoking are known asstress symptoms. Hence

stress is the harmful stressors. Many professionals suggest

thatphysical and emotional responses that there is a

difference between what weoccurs when the requirements

of the job do perceive as positive stress, and distress asnot

match the capabilities, resources, or negative stress. But we

often use the termneeds the worker and he expressed that

job stress to describe negative situations. Thisstress can

lead to poor health and even leads many people to believe

that everyinjury. Stress is increasing due to stress is bad for

us, which is not true actuallyglobalization and economic

crisis, which (Stress and Stress Management 2010).affects

all professions, and as well as Positive stress has the

followingfamilies and societies, almost all countries

characteristics (Stress and Stressof the world (Bharatai and

Newman 1978). Management 2010):Stress is our bodys

physical and emotional

detention in jail, detention of familybodys reaction

will be the same (Greenberg member or partner in jail,

life1990). 4IJER | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER


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2012Available [email protected] pregnancy,

sexual difficulties,depression), sociological

(unemployment, divorce, filing for divorce,death of a loved

one, birth of a child), and relationship break-up, losing

contactphilosophical (use of time, purpose in life). with

loved ones,In any case, regardless of the stressor, the

death of a close family member or aand global economic

crisis. It creates the close friend, the death of a

businessfight or flight response in the brain, the partner,

sick of children or anystress hormone then circulates in the

blood family member, losing healthstream which causes the

heart to speed up, benefits or no health insurance,the

arteries to narrow and blood sugar to personal injury or

illness, change inrise. In our daily life we face different

type health or behavior of family member,of stressors, such

as biological (toxins, heat, loss of a friend,cold),

psychological (threats to self-esteem, can lead to mental

and physical stressor is sufficiently strong (severe burns,

problems. extremes of temperature), death may result.The

reaction of body to stress can bedescribed by following

three stages (Truch Phase 2, Stage of Resistance1980):

Resistance ensues if continued exposure toAlarm Reaction

Stage: the body identifies the stressor is compatible with

adaptation.and first reacts to the stress. In this stage the The


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bodily signs characteristic of the alarmbody first releases

hormones that help in the reaction have virtually

disappeared anddefense against the stressor. resistance rises

above normal.Resistance Stage: the body continues toresist

the stressors as they persist. If the Phase 3, Stage of

Exhaustionstressors continue and there is a consistent

Following long-continued exposure to thestate of

resistance, there is potential to move stressor, to which the

body had becomeinto the third and final stage. adjusted,

eventually adaptation energy isExhaustion Stage: the body

and mind are exhausted. The signs of the alarm reactionno

longer able to make the necessary reappear, but now they

are irreversible, andadjustments to resist the stressors and

there the individual dies (Greenberg 1990).is physical

and/or mental exhaustion. Source of stress vary according

to age,SOURCES OF STRESS place, time, situation etc.

We have listedAt present stress is the number one problem

sources of some of negative stresses asfor working people.

It is increasing follows:continuously day by day due to

globalization decreases performance, and time, its

resistance is diminished and, if the feels unpleasant, of

the first exposure to stressor. At the same is perceived as

outside of our coping Phase 1, Alarm Reaction abilities,

The body shows the changes characteristic can be short or


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long-term, causes anxiety or concern, the general

adaptation syndrome as follows: 4. Jamal Nazrul Islam,


2012, v3i6, 01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158On the other hand

negative stress has the Hans Selye (1976) in his classic

book Thefollowing characteristics (Stress and Stress Stress

of Life briefly described the stressManagement 2010):

reactivity as a three-phase process termed

receiving a promotion at service, co-worker, and

family an starting a new job, External sources of stress

consist of environmental, organizational, job-career,

create stress in our life.Now we have listed sources of some

ofpositive stresses as follows: External Sources of Stress

change in sleeping habits, change in and sleep disturbances.

eating habits, change in finances, not Thoughts: Our brain

interprets and having enough money to pay bills or

perceives situations as stressful, difficult, house rent.

painful, or pleasant and some such situations feeling

unsafe in neighborhood due physiological stressors.

Physiological to crime, being abused or neglected, stressors

are rapid growth of adolescence, military deployment in the

locality, menopause, illness, aging, giving birth, and

accidents, lack of exercise, poor nutrition,

bankruptcy/money problems, divorce, and co-parenting.


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substandard housing, selling a home Physiological:

Situations and circumstances or land for money, affecting

our body can be experienced as unemployment, losing of

job, cannot of the different social roles we occupy, such

find a job or losing job of a friend, as parent, spouse,

caregiver, and employee. changing of job, lack of training

Some social stressors are deadlines, necessary to do a job,

job insecurity, financial problems, job interviews, change in

working hours, change in presentations, disagreements,

demands for living conditions, our time and attention, loss

of a loved one, 5. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Haradhan Kumar

Mohajan, Rajib Datta, Int. J. Eco. Res., 2012, v3i6, 01-17

ISSN: 2229-6158 sentence of a close person, death Social

Stressors: We can experience penalty of a close relative or

a friend, multiple stressors arising from the demands strict

deadline, too tight or too loosehousing, and crime etc.

supervision, lack of parity of 5IJER | NOVEMBER -


having a high-pressure job, beingand Stress Management

(2010) expresses unemployed or only having a smallthe

four basic sources of stress as follows: range of social

circumstances, e.g.,The Environment: The environmental

rarely leaving the house, fewstressors include weather,

noise, crowding, hobbies,pollution, traffic, unsafe and


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substandard lack of support, time to be listened tocalled

external sources of stress and last two and time for

relaxation,are called internal sources of stress. Stress

taking educational classes or learning misunderstanding

with the a new hobby. coworkers, superiors, subordinates,

colleagues, or an absence of praiseWe realize that stress

comes from the four and being valued by others,basic

sources. Among them first two are conflict in

relationships holiday seasons, and planning to enjoy a

vacation, employment patterns of behavior, pressure to

conform to social or winning prizes or winning a lottery,

having a child, job, marriage, holidays etc., change of

social circumstances, such new model, as bereavement of

spouse, moving buying a suitable home or a car of

marriage ceremony or birthday of external sources can vary

according to the ceremony, following circumstances: d so

on. The source

stress creates positive and negativeorganizations

due to high levels of stress feelings.among them and

majorities were between We can define stress in many

ways based on its area and impact. Though the impact of

6IJER | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012Available

[email protected] it affects directly related to

our mindhas become major problem for employer and body


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that means it has physicalmainly in developing nations.

Sometimes and emotional effects on us, andemployees do

not like to work with their stress is caused by our reaction

to theturnover and finally affecting organizational external

environment,goals and objectives in production. Stress

boring and noisy, smoke filled work CONCEPTUAL

ISSUES environment, cramped offices bitter Is there

anybody who is not familiar with the fumes, the glare of

sun and the term Stress? Definitely the answer will be

burning heat (e.g., in street and no. In the era of super

flexibility and rapid rerolling mills), and high turnover

changing environment we all experience rate in

organization. stress, rather it, is better to say we are

anxious about to stress and the way ofCary Cooper has

developed a concise yet managing stress fall us in stress

too. Beforecomplete list of six sources of work stress

managing stress we should know what it is.(Cooper 1983)

as follows: According to oxford dictionary, stress is 1. Job

Conditions: Quantitative and defined from various points of

view. Among qualitative work overload, people these we

pick up the following two decisions, physical danger,

meanings: technostress. 2. Role Stress: Role ambiguity, sex

bias and sex-role stereotypes. 1. Mental pressure: Pressure

or worry 3. Interpersonal Factors: Poor work caused by the


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problems in someones and social support systems, lack of

life. management concern for the worker, 2. Physical

pressure: Pressure put on political rivalry, jealousy, or

anger. that can damage it or make it loose 4. Career

Development: its shape. Underpromotion, overpromotion,

job security, frustrated ambitions. According to the father

of stress researcher 5. Organizational Structure: Rigid

Professor Hans Selye, Stress is the spice of and

impersonal structure, political life, the absence of stress is

death. battles, inadequate supervision or The famous

author R. S. Schuler defines training, non-participative

decision stress as a dynamic condition which an making.

individual is confronted with an opportunity, 6. Home-

work Interface: Spillover, constraint or demean related to

what ones lack of support from spouse, marital desire and

foe which the outcome is conflict, dual career stress.

perceived to be both uncertain andAt present employers are

critically analyzing important. From these above

discussions wethe stress management issues which give to

can find some of inputs about stresses aslower job

performance of employee follows:originating from

dissatisfaction and high 6. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Haradhan

Kumar Mohajan, Rajib Datta, Int. J. Eco. Res., 2012, v3i6,

01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158 authority, working at a long


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stretch, the age boundary of 26-35 years (Imtiaz and lack of

having chance of Ahmad 2009). entertainment policies, and



2229-6158stress is directly related to both the body and

performance then it could be stated asmind of individuals

but from the view point dysfunctional stress. Long-term

stress canof sources we can define it in the following create

some problems such as,ways: cardiovascular diseases,

musculoskeletalDirect Stress: When the sources of stress

disorders (in the back and upper limbs),are directly related

to the person then it is psychological disorders (depression

andcalled direct stress. Suppose, Mr. X and Mr. burnout)

etc.Y are working in the same department of the Certain

Stress: From the view pointsame factory and suddenly Mr.

X loses his certainty, when the result of stress is knownjob,

then stress for Mr. X is considered as to individuals then it

is called certain stress.direct stress. For example, the peak

period of productionIndirect Stress: When the sources of

stress is generally temporary stress and known tois not

directly related the person then it is all. Certain stress is less

harmful andcalled indirect stress. In the previous produce

very constructive result andexample the incident of losing

job of Mr. X sometimes does not produce higher


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result.creates a stress for Mr. Y who is still in that

Uncertain Stress: When the length of timejob. The losing of

job of peer group (Mr. X) as well as result of stress is not

perceived byof Mr. Y or the fear of losing his (Mr. Y) job

the stressors is called uncertain stress.could be a cause of

stress. It is of course the Generally uncertain stress is

harmful andimpact of direct stress is more than that of

produces negative result or hinders theindirect stress. group

performance.Short-term Stress: From the view point of

Stress is a universal experience in the life ofduration of

time, when the stress affects for each person and every

employee evena limited period of time then it is called

executives and managers cannot avoid it. Itshort-term stress

i.e., in a production- is estimated that in the world about

100oriented factory in the peak period of million workdays

are being lost due to stressproduction (generally 3 to 6

months) or at and nearly 50% to 75% disease are related

tothe end of the month in accounts department stress

(Bashir 2007).of a company workers face a short-

termstress. Some of the short-term stresses are

OCCUPATIONAL STRESSshort temper, headache,

shortness of breath, Occupational stress was formally

identifiedsleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, in

1989, when the Commonwealthupset stomach, apathy, and


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job Commission for the Safety,

Rehabilitationdissatisfaction. and Compensation of

CommonwealthLong-term or Perpetual Stress: When the

Employees initiated several researchstress affects for a long

period of time then it projects. Occupational stress can be

definedcould be called long-term or perpetual as the

harmful physical and emotionalstress. From the view point

of outcome responses that occur when the

requirementsfunctional stress when the result of stress is of

the job do not match the capabilities,positive or stress

improves someones resources, or needs of the worker,

which canperformance in the job. Some stresses lead to

poor health and even injury (Rehmansupport the goals of

organizations and 2008). Sources of occupational stress

haveimprove the performance; these are been categorized

by Cooper and Marshal role in the organization, 7IJER |

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012Available

[email protected] intrinsic to the

job,destructive or hinder someones lfunctional,

constructive form of stress. (1976) as follows:When the

consequences of stress is

Minds of most of the people run withor accidents,

absenteeism, staff turnover, a tremendous velocity with

onelowered performance, and the associated, thought after


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another. Mind velocityoften hidden, costs of training

replacement is high during emotions of hurry,staff and the

added burden placed on the impatience and desperation.

High 8IJER | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012Available

[email protected] When people around us life

juniorsexpressed that job stress creates negative do not

behave according to therelationship with the satisfaction of

the expectation, and failed to give theemployees. results

which expected leads toWork-related stress has growing

interest interpersonal conflicts and it causeacross Europe in

recent years due to pain, guilt and deep impression for

adramatically globalization of the economy, long time.

Someone does not agreeuse of new information and

communications with the view and opposes, does

nottechnology, growing diversity in the keep his promise

and is cheated withworkplace (Landsbergis 2003). respect

to money, supply of goods,Organizations suffer business

loss through and quality of goods.lost working days due to

work related illness Some people always feel urgency

inscale household survey indicated that 19.5 the work life,

they are alwaysmillion working days were lost in the

United fighting to beat deadlines and haveKingdom (UK)

during 1995 due to work- the habit of doing anything at

therelated illness, such as, musculoskeletal, eleventh hour,


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which leads to tensionstress, anxiety and depression (Jones

et al. and stress.1998). Heller et al. (2002) and Rode (2004)

home-work interface. ill-health outcomes, such as

cardiovascularHere intrinsic to the job will include

diseases (Kivimki et al. 2002),physical aspects of the

working musculoskeletal disorders, particularly

backenvironment, such as noise and lighting, and problems

(Hoogendoorn et al. 2000) andpsychosocial aspects, such

as workload. neck-shoulder-arm-wrist-hand

problemsOccupational stress has been defined by (Arins et

al. 2001), as well as absence frommany researchers (Cox

1978, Cummings work (Houtman et al. 1999). When

peopleand Cooper 1979, Quick and Quick 1984) as are in a

state of stress, they often feela negatively perceived quality

which, as a concerned, less vigilant and less efficient

inresult of inadequate coping with sources of performing

works (Barling et al. 2004).stress at work, has negative

mental and When stress reactions persist over a

longerphysical health consequences. period of time, they

may develop into moreIn a recent survey of employees,

more than permanent, less reversible health outcomes,80%

said that they feel stress on the job, such as chronic fatigue,

burnout,about 70% expressed a need to learn how to

musculoskeletal problems or cardiovascularmanage stress


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and 45% felt their co-workers disease.needed help in

managing stress. The Our study has identified some

differentorganization should consider that types of stresses

which are related to theOccupational Stress Indicator (OSI),

to work term as work-related stresses aswhether to improve

for preventing stress follows:(Cooper et al. 1988). The

results of a large- organizational structure and climate,

Houtman (2007) expresses that stress has and also been

associated with a number of other career development,

staff (Clarke and Cooper 2000). relationships at work,

colleagues of absent or under-performing 8. Jamal Nazrul

Islam, Haradhan Kumar Mohajan, Rajib Datta, Int. J. Eco.

Res., 2012, v3i6, 01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158

previous experience. shoots up stress in the

mind.Occupational stress risks have been The World

Health Organization (WHO)increasing for many years, but

at the end of predicts that by 2020, depression will be

thethe last decade it increases alarm due to second most

long term condition worldwide.global financial crisis and

globalization. By Everyone is affected by stress

differently.the end of the 1990s in many countries there

The strength of an individual plays anhas been a

combination of increasing and important role in making the

end result. Thestabilizing job demands, together with


22/44

environment and situation, age, ability,decreasing job

sovereignty which would attitude the mentality to adopt

etc. are alsohave resulted in an increasingly stressful

important factor over here. In facing stresssituation within

countries. High and the support from environment and

situationincreasing quantitative demands, combined

dramatically produce constructive result.with low or

decreasing control over work The way of finding the best to

avoid, copepace, increase stress-related outcomes. Some

with or face the situation is a mostcountries showed an

increase in stress- considerable factor. Generally

beforerelated health problems at work, but it was adoption

with the situation generally it isalso observed that workers

who developed needed to find out the types of stress and

inhealth problems had left the labor market on which way

the individual wants with copelong-term absence, or were

receiving with or face the way of perceiving the

goalsdisability pensions (Houtman 2007). and situations as

well as the conflicts theFinally we can express that job

stress is preparation and planning, classification

andconsidered rising and has become challenge

justification of the way, identifying variousfor the employer

and because high level alternative and implement the best

ways orstress is results in low productivity, methods or


23/44

processes to face could be aincreased absenteeism and

collection to better way to face stress.other employee

problems like alcoholism, 9IJER | NOVEMBER -


adoption process, and making loss. Such competition the

environment or situation, ladder of success in my way,

even by the individual strength and competitive mood and

some want to personality, win the competition and climb

the Todays business always in Unrealistic target leads

to Whether the stress with constructive or tremendous

increase in the stress destructive it depends what types of

stresses level. Modern executive punish they are. Certain

stress usually products themselves by creating deadlines

constructive result where the uncertain stress without

bothering about health, usually produces destructive result.

It is an wealth, family or peace of mind. important factor to

consider in case of Such unrealistic targets make one

finding out the result of stress what type of miss out the

quality. Due to fear of stress it is but the result of stress

depends on failure ones stress levels go high. some factors

like; 9. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Haradhan Kumar Mohajan,


2229-6158 velocity of mind leads to fatigue of drug abuse,

hypertension and host of the mind due to constant alertness


24/44

cardiovascular problems (Meneze 2005). and loss of

concentration. Modern man suffers from worry of too many

THE AFFECT OF STRESS tasks to be done

simultaneously, Previously described various types of

which leads to stress. stresses could end with different

results.

psychological or psychodynamicmade on it

changes in body functions, such ashappiness and causes

stress in two different puberty pregnancy,

menopause,people depending upon how they react it.

ageing etc., andBodys non-specific response to any

demand excess of harmful diet, such asexternal

environment. The manner in which taking of too much

caffeine, alcoholwe perceive and understand the changes or

etc.,the particular events some event can bring 10. Jamal

Nazrul Islam, Haradhan Kumar Mohajan, Rajib Datta, Int.

J. Eco. Res., 2012, v3i6, 01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158Stress is

caused by our reaction to the the lack of a sense personal

agency i.e., one can influence events or the 10IJER |


[email protected] genetic disorder results in

chemical deception and deception of others, imbalances in

the body, an absence of truth i.e., self- lack of spiritual

development, vitamins, minerals, starch etc., poor diet,


25/44

such as deficiency of violation of personal or religious

dwarf, blindness, lack of hearing, moral code,

contravention of hair fall and other problems of limbs

accepted group practice, or violation of body, of laws

(sin), lack of physical fitness, such as not having the

skill of knowledge tofinancial problems, noise,

disappointments cope with certain situations, such ascould

be sources of stress. We can divide the spiritual

development.sources of stress into two categories: The

need for individual spiritualPhysiological or Biological.

The causes of development has long been recognized

bysome stresses lie in the biological make up religion. It is

only during the last 30 yearsof our body, or the interaction

of our body that psychology has acknowledged thewith the

food we eat or environment we live existence of a spiritual

side to the individual.in. Some examples of the biological

causes Some spiritual causes of stress are asof stress

include: follows: being one is capable of achieving

farPregnancy can also generate stress, some of too much-

setting standards andthe untoward incidents like critical

illness of expectations too high and thereforedeath of a

relative can also cause stress in falling short of them,

andindividuals. Time, pressure, competition, lack of self-

awareness,marriage or divorce can cause stress.


26/44

encountering situations that evokeToo much travel,

entering into a new stressful feelings which

wereenvironment, like new colony, new job experienced in

childhood,generates stress. The social institutions of inner

conflicts that have not beenones life can be stressful.

However, major addressed, but repressed (pushed outlife

changes are the greatest contributors of of conscious

awareness),stress for most people. . On one side stress

provides the problem.means to express talents and energies

and The term psychodynamic refers topursue happiness

on the other side it can subconscious thoughts and feelings,

whichalso cause exhaustion and illness, either often arise

from childhood experiences. Thephysical or psychological.

It is concerned way in which we learned to cope inwith an

individuals perceptual and childhood is by using defense

mechanismscognitive characteristics. that involved a degree

of self deception. WeThe factors that contribute to the

experience still use these defenses today. Examples ofof

stress are many and varied. It is found psychodynamic

causes of stress include:that both positive and negative

events in

absence of a relationship with God, stressors

(Cannon 1918). Stress associated and lack of forgiveness.

with positive events, helps us respond effectively in times


27/44

of trauma. It alsoCONSEQUENCES AND SYMPTOMS

increases our performance or efficiency inOF STRESS

ordinary times. On the other hand distress As stated earlier

stress is caused by or tends to block our performance,

createreaction to the external events and bring health

problems, increase anxiety andabout changes in our

response and our depression, and reduce optimal

efficiencygeneral behavior. It is important to learn (Selye

1976). The presence of stress can behow to know when our

stress levels are out divided into three different categories;

i)of control. Stress affects the mind, body, and

Physiological, ii) Behavioral and iii)behavior in many

ways, and everyone Psychological. Now we describe these

threeexperiences stress differently. symptoms as follows

(table-2):The stress response, also called the fight orflight

response, first described by Cannon,refers to the

physiological and emotional Table 2: The three categories

of symptoms of stress. Physiological Symptoms Behavioral

Symptoms Psychological Symptoms Perspiration

Impulsive behavior Physical trauma Eating disorders

Eating more or less Moodiness Irritability Easily

distracted Anxiety Headaches Depression/Isolation

Agitation, inability to relax Hair loss Speech problems

Overestimation of danger Loss of sex drive Lower


28/44

energy levels Fear and tension Illness /sleeplessness

Memory problems Insomnia and nervous Crying for no

apparent Irritability or short- tone of voice reason

tempered Tiredness and tiring Sleeping too much or too

Depression easily little Inability or difficulty Increased

heartbeat and Change in personality concentrating blood

pressure Laughing in a high pitch Dissatisfactions Tense,

muscle ache and Grinding of teeth Seeing only the

negative pain Irritable/Aggressive Strenuous exercise

Trembling Increasing smoking and Metabolic

disturbances Nervous ticks use of drugs and alcohol

Panicky Dryness of throat and Being accident-prone

Feeling overwhelmed mouth Susceptibility to illness

Poor judgment Urinating frequently Loss of appetite or

over Constant worrying Sleeping problems eating

Underestimation of ability Diarrhea, Indigestion and

Burnout to cope frequent urination Nervous habits (nail

Underestimation of help Vomiting, Nausea etc. biting,

pacing) available Butterflies in stomach Increased errors

Depression or general 11IJER | NOVEMBER -

DECEMBER 2012Available

[email protected]. Jamal Nazrul Islam,


2012, v3i6, 01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158 failure to recognize


29/44

and experience changes brought on by stress hormones in

choice, and response to certain situational or event

team spirit. recognize stress which could

becomeThough stress is caused by our reaction to

unhealthy.external environment, it should be reminded

Approximately 1 in 3 European workers isthat a positive

attitude can dramatically affected by work-related stress

according toreduce the stress. So in case of managing

European surveys. It has been estimated thatstress at first

we have to develop a positive work related stress cost

Member States atoutlook that plays an important role.

Stress least 20 billion euro per annum.can be managed if

we understand the In 2001 in a report of the American

Institutereasons which cause stress and the level of of

Stress (AIS) expressed that job-relatedstress. We should

also try to estimate if we stress costs the US industry $300

billion percould bring about any change in annum. due to

absenteeism (1 millionenvironment that can subsequently

reduce workers are absent on an average workdaystress.

Both the individual and because of stress-related

complaints),organizational cooperation is necessary to

diminished productivity, employee turnover,manage stress.

direct medical costs, compensation claims and legal and

insurance fees. In the USA inIMPACT OF WOR


30/44

cooperation between team members, more junior

employees felt they had and to hide stress were perhaps

unable to Senior executives recognized that working

relationship, team performance, everyone. individual

work performance, stress is compared at some point by

12. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Haradhan Kumar Mohajan, Rajib

Datta, Int. J. Eco. Res., 2012, v3i6, 01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158

Premenstrual tension Productivity unhappiness Pain in

the neck and Turnover Worries and catastrophic lower

back Absenteeism thoughts Stomach ulcers Lack of

Anxious, racing, or Heart problems concentration/ability

to ruminating thoughts Breathlessness and think rationally

Sense of loneliness or hyperventilating Organization and

planning isolation Palpitations and chest deteriorate

discomfort Reduced self-esteem Sweaty palms Using

alcohol, cigarettes, Minor illness (allergies or drugs to

relax skin disorder, migraine) Serious illness (arthritis

cancer, diabetes).The impact of excessive stress on team

work series diagnosable conditions wereis also harmful,

and it can damage: seen as mental health problem, while

Most companies did not view stress stressor in their lives, 3

in 4 employees as a mental health problem. Only 12IJER |


[email protected] STRESS IN 2003


31/44

survey examining attitudes in theEUROPE AND THE

USA workplace found stress about the economy,A 2001

report from the UKs Mental Health increase in emotional

ailments includingFoundation, Burn out or Burning

Bright? substance abuse and depression, incidents

ofdetermine the following two reasons to among

coworkers. In 1 in 4 employees inincrease stress (Ingram

and Pilla 2007): the USA view their jobs as the number one

take corrective action if necessary. coach wherever

you may be and take aBesides this we can apply the

following tips minute walk. Those who began walking

fourto get rid of from stress which provided by times a

week, the scientists found, reportedDr. Peret Jaret: feeling

less distressed and sleeping better.Do Nothing: At least

once during the day, Tests showed that their blood pressure

wastake five or ten minutes to sit quietly and do more

likely to hold steady when they do notnothing. Focus on the

sounds around you, have an hour to spar. Do not sweat

it.your emotions and any tension in your neck, Taking five

or ten minute walks whenevershoulders, arm, chest, etc.

Doing nothing you are under pressure may be just ascan be

considered as a real struggle. Just effective.sitting quietly

slows the heart rate and Breathe Easy: For five minutes,

slow yourreduces blood pressure, countering two of


32/44

breathing down to about six-belly breaths athe most

obvious effects of stress. minute. In other words, inhale for

about fiveLaugh Out Loud: Keep something handy minutes

to relax your entire body. Start bythat makes you laugh. It

could be a testing by your toes; then consciously

relaxcollection of your favorite comic strips or a them.

Move on to the muscles in your feet,funny voice mail from,

say, your child or a and then your calves, upper legs, but

tocks,friend. You could even take a few moments moving

upward until you end by scrunching up and then relaxing

the muscles in your 13IJER | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER


implementation and evaluation the forgiveness. outcomes,

and Hit the Road: Get from your desk, the choose the

best, Laskin who studies healing power of

generation of

alternatives, around with us grudges, anger, hurt says

goal selection, comes from negative emotions we carry

problem identification, under stress. A lot of stress we

experience 13. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Haradhan Kumar


ISSN: 2229-6158believe that todays workers have more

on- to think about watching your favoritethe-job stress than

a generation ago. television comedy. Tune In: In a study at

Monash University inREDUCTION OF STRESS


33/44

Melborne, Australia, two groups of studentsThe emotional

and physical disorders that were told to prepare an oral

presentation.have been linked to stress including Some

worked in silence; others listened todepression, anxiety,

heart attacks, stroke, Pachelbels Caron in D Major

stresshypertension, immune system disturbances caused the

silent workers blood pressurethat increase susceptibility to

infections, a and heart rates to climb. Not so thehost of viral

linked disorders ranging from volunteers in the musical

group whosethe common cold to herpes to certain

measurements remained steadier. They alsocancers, as well

as autoimmune diseases like reported feelings much less

stress.rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis Think

Happy: Focus on someone or(Stress and Stress

Management 2010). something you care deeply about

forHence we need to control the stresses which anywhere

from 15 seconds to five minutes.are harmful to our mind

and body. Or picture a scene from a peaceful vacation

phrase that makes you feel positive aboutIndividual

Approaches to Reduce Stress you and the world can work.

It sounds likePlanned life could reduce or prevent advice

from a greeting card, but thinkingnegative stress. To

manage stress we can happy calming thoughts can


34/44

counteract thefollow the sequences as follows:

psychological changes that occur when

All employees must evaluate risks to stress

management workshops, health and safety and whenever

managing pressure to increase possible employers should

performance workshop. implement avoidance and control

measures. The preventive strategies 14IJER | NOVEMBER

- DECEMBER 2012Available

[email protected] Arranges health related

seminars, establish wellness programs. representatives

who could thenThe following guidelines could help the

develop stress policies and makeorganization in

maintaining a negative- other useful

recommendations.stress-free environment: improve

organizational that could actively involve the staff,

communication, and trade unions and other increased

employee involvement, could set up stress working parties

redesigning job, management workshop, employer

Instead of just offering staffs stress use of realistic goal

setting, training and development, suffering from stress.

selection of job replacement, staffs know that to do if they

are personnel, stress policy or guidelines so that The

organization should have a Key personnel like

managements andOrganization plays an important role in


35/44

personnel officers receive training toreducing stress. For

better use of these recognize stress related problemshuman

resource to pick up the best result such as high

absenteeism, highmanagement must consider these areas as

turnover.follows: In stressful occupations such as

thethem. Move on to the muscles in your feet, police force,

social and healthand then your calves, upper legs, but tocks,

services, Power Supply Company,moving upward until you

end by scrunching crime reporter in press media,up and

then relaxing the muscles in your journalism, Nursing

(specially inface. If you start your day feeling tense, public

medical hospital), workers inchances are you will feel tense

all day, says overheated, sound-polluted, juststress expert

Gueth. If you take your covered area (like steel mill,

cementtroubles to bed with you, they are likely to industry)

sweeper, night guard, thedisrupt your sleep and then can

mean even employer should minimize the risksmore

tension. and treat personnel who have suffered from

violence at work withOrganizational Approaches to Reduce

due care.Stress Company should carry out thetroubles to

bed with you, they are likely to activities including;

timelydisturb your sleep, and that can mean relax

inspection, investigate hazards andeven you from more

tension. complaints, receive information fromRise Relaxed:


36/44

Right before bed, and after the workers regarding health

andthe alarm goes off in the morning, take five safety, and

keeping consultancy withminutes to relax your entire body.

Start by the worker about any safety issues.tensing your

toed; then consciously relax 14. Jamal Nazrul Islam,


2012, v3i6, 01-17 ISSN: 2229-6158face. If you start your

day feeling tense, and compliance facilities plays anchances

are you will feel tense all day, say important role in

reducing stress.stress experts Gueth. If you take your

taking exercise, especially walking important to

leave time for sleep and for is the easiest and most effective

restful, relaxing activities, such as reading a means of

reducing stress favorite meditation can also be a good

effort or art for meaning and enjoyment. We can to bring

down the stress levels, choose a balance diet in our daily

life. It is 15. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Haradhan Kumar


ISSN: 2229-6158Other Approaches to Reduce Stress

schedule meaningful and enjoyable activitiesOther

techniques to escape from the stress which makes a

significant difference inare as follows: reducing stress. We

can enjoy music, sports spending time to relax or reading

a We can prevent stress by taking care of our good book, or


37/44

listening to music or health, such as eating well, getting

enough playing an instrument. sleep, exercising regularly,

and avoidingA widely recognized proactive stress alcohol

or drug. These healthy habits are notmanagement method is

to maintain a healthy easy to maintain, but they really pay

off.physical state through regular exercise, a Those who are

non-pious or not serious innutritional diet and good sleep.

Another well prayer they can participate in religion

orrecognized proactive method of combating spiritual

activities to prevent stress.stress is to maintain a strong

mental state We have to seek out people who arethrough

stay intellectually stimulated encouraging and supportive,

rather than(mental exercise), gain stability from critical and

pressuring. It is very helpful torelationships

(family/friends), practice have relationships with people we

feelrelaxation/meditation and participate in comfortable

with. The common supportreligion. systems usually

include, friends, familyMcKeown (2005) expresses that

prevention members, peer support, professionals andand

careful management of psychological members of ones

religious or spiritualillnesses will ease the strain on the

economy, group. If our feelings are very stressful,

thenhealth care systems and individual well we do not keep

them bottled up but we canbeing. share them with others


38/44

who are very helpful and benevolent. We always talk in

mindHOW CAN WE PREVENT STRESS? with positive

sides if we feel stress for someIf we eliminate some of the

avoidable stress works, which prevent us from stress.in our

life, it frees us up to enjoy ourselves Laughter is the best

medicine to preventmore and to accomplish more of our

goals. stress and we can spend few minutes of eachWe

have to be aware of situations that day with

amusement.caused stress us in the past. For example, ifwe

notice that we become irritable whenever ANALYSIS OF

FINDINGSwe catch the bus at rush hour, we have to try

From the study of all respondents views wecatching it at a

less busy time. We can found that most of the sources of

stress are 15IJER | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER


developing

communication skills ourselves and remind ourselves of

these with honest, direct, and respectful features when we

feel negatively about ways and ourselves. taking good

food and nutrition, by being critical of themselves and what

avoiding foods with high fat, sugar, they are

accomplishing. It can be helpful to caffeine, salt etc.,

identify some positive features about effecting time

management, such as schedule time for relaxation each day

to taking a mental health day and refresh the mind and


39/44

body from the tensions spend time with friends, of the day.

Some people increase their stress or taking a walk.

Everyone must



2229-6158organizational workload and family related

Barling, J. et al. (ed.) (2004), The Handbook of

Workproblems. 70% of respondents told that their Stress,

Sage, California. Bashir, A. (2007), Employees Stress and

Its Impactstress mainly comes from workload and a on

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Bodily Changes in Pain,excessive supervision they feel

stress. From Hunger, Fear, and Rage: An Account ofthe

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40/44

into the Function of Emotional Excitement, New York:

D.we can minimize by individual approaches. Appleton &

Co.In this study we observed all physicians told Clarke,

S.G. and Cooper, C.L. (2000), The Risk7 ways to control

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Stress, Health,ways we found Do Nothing is the most Risk

& Society, 2(2): 173-187.popular one and 80% suggest it as

the first Cooper, C.L. (1983), Identifying Stressors at

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Cooper, C.L. and Marshall, J. (1976), Occupational

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Coronary HeartCONCLUDING REMARKS Disease and

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