DR. TANUSHREE CHAKRABORTY

STRESS

Faculty at International School of Business and MediaKolkata Campus. EN 22, Sector V. Salt Lake City.

Kolkata 700 091

What is it?

STRESS THE GENERAL TERM APPLIED TO THE PRESSURES PEOPLE FEEL IN LIFE.

WHEN PRESSURES BUILD UP, IT CAUSES ADVERSE STRAIN ON A PERSON’S EMOTIONS, THOUGHT PROCESSES, BEHAVIORS, AND PHYSICAL CONDITION.

PEOPLE WHO ARE STRESSED MAY BECOME NERVOUS AND

CHRONICALLY WORRIED; EASILY PROVOKED TO ANGER AND ARE UNABLE TO RELAX; UNCOOPERATIVE; USE ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS EXCESSIVELY

Types of Stress

Acute

Chronic

Eustress

Distress

Nature WHEN STRESS BECOMES EXCESSIVE, PEOPLE DEVELOP

VARIOUS SYMPTOMS THAT CAN HARM JOB PERFORMANCE AND HEALTH, AND EVEN THREATEN THE ABILITY TO COPE WITH

THE ENVIRONMENT.

What Is Stress?Stressor = any physical or psychological

event or condition that produces stress

Stress response = the physiological changes associated with stress

Stress = the collective physiological and emotional responses to any stimulus that disturbs an individual’s homeostasis

Emotional and Behavioral Responses to Stressors

Emotional responses may include anxiety, depression, and fear

Behavioral responses are controlled by the somatic nervous system = branch of the peripheral nervous systems that governs motor functions and sensory information; largely under conscious control

Personality and StressType A = ultracompetitive, controlling, impatient,

aggressive, hostile Easily upset; react explosively to stressors

Type B = relaxed, contemplative, tolerant of others React more calmly to stressors

Type C = difficulty expressing emotions, anger suppression, feelings of hopelessness and despair Exaggerated stress response

Hardy = committed to activities, sense of inner purpose, inner locus of control View stressors as challenges and opportunities for growth

Gender and StressGender roles affect perception of and

responses to stressors

Both sexes experience the fight-or-flight physiological response to stress

Women are more likely to respond behaviorally with a pattern of “tend-and-befriend” Gender differences may be partly tied to higher levels of

the hormone oxytocin in women

Past ExperiencesPast experiences influence the cognitive

evaluation of a potential stressor

Effective behavioral responses can overcome the effects of negative past experiences

The Stress Experience as a WholePhysical, emotional, and behavioral responses

are interrelatedSymptoms of excess stress

Physical symptoms: dry mouth, excessive perspiration, frequent illnesses, gastrointestinal problems, grinding of teeth, headaches, high blood pressure, pounding heart, stiff neck, aching lower back

Emotional symptoms: anxiety or edginess, depression, fatigue, hypervigilance, impulsiveness, inability to concentrate, irritability, trouble remembering things

Behavioral symptoms: crying, disrupted eating or sleeping habits, harsh treatment of others, problems communicating, sexual problems, social isolation, increased used of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs

Stress and Wellness

The general adaptation syndrome (GAS)Eustress = stress triggered by a pleasant stressorDistress = stress triggered by an unpleasant stressor

Stages of GASAlarm = fight-or-flight reactionResistance = new level of homeostasis characterized by increased resistance to stress

Exhaustion = life-threatening physiological exhaustion

General Adaptation Syndrome

Stress and Wellness

Allostatic load = long-term wear and tear of the stress response, especially long-term exposure to stress hormones like cortisol

High allostatic load increases susceptibility to disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) = the study of the interactions among the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system

Links Between Stress and Specific Conditions

Cardiovascular diseaseAltered functioning of the immune systemOther health problems

Common Sources of Stress

Major life changesDaily hasslesCollege stressors

Academic stressors Interpersonal stressors Time-related pressures Financial concerns

Common Sources of StressJob-related stressors

Interpersonal and social stressors

Environmental stressors

Internal stressors

Job Insecurity High Demand for

Performance Technology Workplace Culture Personal or Family Problems Role Conflict Role Overload Role Underload Role Ambiguity Environment Misfit Office politics

Poor working conditions Long working hours Relationships with colleagues Lack of job security Difficult journeys to and from

work The way the company is

managed Mismatch between the

requirements of the job and your own capabilities and needs

Inflexible working hours Too much or too little

responsibility

Causes of Workplace Stress

Unrealistic targets Boring or repetitive work Incorrect use of skills Poor/insufficient

training Inadequate rest breaks Lack of/too much

supervision Shift work Too much/too little work

Isolation Lack of direction Lack of decision making Lack of control over the job Poor opportunities for peer

support Work with VDU’s and other

machinery Time pressures Responsibility for lives Uncertainty about

responsibilities New technology

Job Design

Organizational Issues and Stress

Employee commitment to work Staff performance and productivity Staff turnover and intention to leave Attendance levels Staff recruitment and retention Customer satisfaction Organisational image and reputation Potential litigation

BurnoutBurnout can be described as “the extinction of

motivation or incentive, especially where one's devotion to a cause or relationship fails to produce the desired results,” and is a stress-related state.

Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It can occur when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands.

Sources of Burnout

you find it difficult to say `no` to additional commitments or responsibilities

•you have been under intense and sustained pressure for some time

•your high standards make it difficult to delegate to assistants

• you have been trying to achieve too much for too long

•you have been giving too much emotional support for too long

Symptoms

Emotional ExhaustionDepleted Physical EnergyLowered Immunity to IllnessLess Investment in Interpersonal RelationshipsIncreasingly Pessimistic OutlookIncreased Absenteeism and Inefficiency at WorkIncreased Absenteeism and Inefficiency at WorkNo Help or Supportive ResourcesNo Time For HobbiesToo Little SleepToo Little Time Off

Psychological Causes of Burnout

Perfectionist Tendencies

Pessimism

Excitability

Type A Personality

Poor Fit for the Job

Lack of Belief in What You Do

Counterproductive Coping Strategies

Tobacco

Alcohol

Other drugs

Binge eating

Managing Stress

Exercise Reduces anxiety and increases sense of well-being Mobilizes energy resources to complete the energy

cycle Avoid compulsive exercise

Nutrition Eat a balanced diet Avoid excess caffeine

Managing Stress

Sleep Lack of sleep is both a cause and an effect of excess

stress

Social support Foster friendships Keep family ties strong Get involved with a group

Communication Balance anger and assertiveness

Managing Anger

Managing Stress

Spiritual wellness can promote Social support Healthy habits Positive attitude Moments of relaxation Awareness and clarification of personal values

Paths to spiritual wellness include organized religion, spending time in nature, helping others, art or other creative endeavors, personal relationships

Managing Stress: Time Management

Set prioritiesSchedule tasks for peak

efficiencySet realisted goalsBudget enough timeBreak up long-term

goalsVisualize achievement

of goalsTrack tasks you put off

Do least favorite tasks first

Consolidate tasksIdentify transitional tasksDelegate responsibilitySay no when necessaryGive yourself a breakAvoid personal time

sinksJust do it

Managing Stress: Cognitive Techniques

Modify expectations

Engage in realistic self-talk

Live in the present

“Go with the flow”

Cultivate your sense of humor

Managing Stress

Relaxation response = a physiological state characterized by a feeling of warmth and quiet mental alertness

Relaxation techniques: Progressive relaxation = alternating muscle tension

and relaxation Visualization = creating or recreating vivid mental

pictures of a place or an experience

Managing Stress

Relaxation techniques

Biofeedback = a technique that uses monitoring devices to help a person become conscious of unconscious body processes, such as body temperature or blood pressure, in order to exert some control over them

Hypnosis = a technique of mental focusing that affects the body

Massage = manipulation of the body’s tissues

The six key areas of work design

demands – such as workload, work patterns, work environment and training

control – such as how much say the individual has in the way they do their work

support – such as the encouragement, sponsorship and resources provided by the organisation, line management and colleagues. This can also include work life balance.

relationships – such as promoting positive working to avoid conflict and dealing with unacceptable behaviour

role – such as whether people understand their role within the organisation, and whether the organisation ensures that they do not have conflicting roles

change – such as how organisational change, large or small, is managed and communicated within the organisation

A

STRESSFREE

YOURSELF……

…….