Managing

Stress

What is Stress?

A physical and emotional reaction to pressure,

change, fear or the unknown.

It is your total response to an environmental

condition or stimulus, also known as a stressor

Work Stress

Also known as Occupational

Stress

It is “the adverse reaction

people have to excessive

pressures or other types of

demand placed on them at

work.”

Stress is not an illness – it is a

state. However, if it becomes

excessive and prolonged,

mental and physical illness

may develop.

Stages of Stress

ALARM

STAGE

RESISTANCE

STAGE

EXHAUSTION

STAGE

Factors Influencing Work Stress

Demands

Relationships

Change

Management Style

Working Conditions

ABC Strategy

A= Awareness

B= Balance

C = Control

How to Manage Stress

Action Oriented:

Managing your time:

Identify where you can improve and use time management tools like to-do lists etc.

Managing other people:

People can be a significant source of stress. Being assertive and managing conflicts will ensure that your needs are addressed.

Managing your work environment:

Workspace stress can come from irritating, frustrating or uncomfortable conditions workspace. Take action to minimize stress in this environment

How to Manage Stress

Emotion Oriented Approaches:

Emotion oriented approaches are useful when the

stress you are experiencing comes from the way

you perceive a situation.

Be aware, use rational & positive thinking to

change the way you perceive stressful events

Use affirmations & imagery to overcome short-

term negative thinking

How to Manage Stress

Acceptance Oriented Approach:

Acceptance-oriented approaches apply to situations where you have no power to change what happens, and where situations are genuinely bad.

Use techniques like meditation and physical relaxation to calm yourself when you feel stressed.

Take advantage of your support network – this could include your friends and family, as well as people at work and professional providers, such as counselors or family doctors.

Get enough exercise and sleep, and learn how to make the most of your down time, so that you can recover from stressful events.

Learn how to cope with change and build resilience, so that you can overcome setbacks.

In Conclusion

To control your stress, conduct a job

analysis, so that you know your most

important priorities at work.

Learn good time management

strategies, so that you can handle your

priorities effectively.

Try to let go of negative thinking habits,

and become a positive thinker by using

affirmations and visualization.

Create defenses against stressful

situations that you cannot control – use

your network, be sure to get enough

exercise and sleep, and learn how to

relax.