Stress

Management

By Marina RubanFME 19

Stress is mental, emotional, or physical strain caused, e.g. by anxiety or overwork. It may cause such symptoms as raised blood pressure or depression.

What exactly does stress do?

Stress is not always a bad thing as the pressure it

creates can keep us motivated.

• How ever, when stress related issues reach an unhealthy level and interferes with health and job production it can cost companies millions of dollars due to employees not showing up or not performing at optimal levels due to stress.

Statistics According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:

65% of workers said that workplace stress had caused difficulties and more than 10 percent

described these as having major effects;

65% of workers said that workplace stress had caused difficulties and more than 10 percent

described these as having major effects;

10% said they work in an atmosphere where physical violence has occurred because of job

stress and in this group, 42% report that yelling and other verbal abuse is common;

10% said they work in an atmosphere where physical violence has occurred because of job

stress and in this group, 42% report that yelling and other verbal abuse is common;

29% had yelled at co-workers because of workplace stress, 14% said they work where machinery or equipment has been damaged because of workplace rage and 2% admitted

that they had actually personally struck someone;

29% had yelled at co-workers because of workplace stress, 14% said they work where machinery or equipment has been damaged because of workplace rage and 2% admitted

that they had actually personally struck someone;

19% or almost one in five respondents had quit a previous position because of job stress and nearly one in four have been driven to tears

because of workplace stress;

19% or almost one in five respondents had quit a previous position because of job stress and nearly one in four have been driven to tears

because of workplace stress;

62% routinely find that they end the day with work-related neck pain, 44% reported stressed-out eyes, 38% complained of hurting hands and 34% reported difficulty in sleeping because they

were too stressed-out;

62% routinely find that they end the day with work-related neck pain, 44% reported stressed-out eyes, 38% complained of hurting hands and 34% reported difficulty in sleeping because they

were too stressed-out;

12% had called in sick because of job stress; 12% had called in sick because of job stress;

Over half said they often spend 12-hour days on work related duties and an equal number

frequently skip lunch because of the stress of job demands.

Over half said they often spend 12-hour days on work related duties and an equal number

frequently skip lunch because of the stress of job demands.

Factors that influence how you experience stress are:

4. The perceived level of threat you attach to the stress. 4. The perceived level of threat you attach to the stress.

3. Your ability to feel you can resolve or escape the stress; 3. Your ability to feel you can resolve or escape the stress;

2. The number of stressors you experience close together or simultaneously;

2. The number of stressors you experience close together or simultaneously;

1. The length of time you feel under stress1. The length of time you feel under stress

Top 10 Causes of Stress

Childhood Trauma

Death of a Loved One Divorce

Finances Job Health

Personal Relationships

Chronically Ill Child Pregnancy Danger

Stress-Aggravating Foods

Sugar

Salt

Fats

Additives

Caffeine

Alcohol

Vitamin A Brewers’ Yeast Vitamin C Iron Zinc Iodine

Calcium Ginseng Evening Primrose Oil Selenium Molasses Chlorella

Stress-Helpful FoodsStress-Helpful Foods

Stress Prevention

Now you ask yourself, How and can I prevent stress? When people think of that question, they become dumbfounded and their minds become utterly perplexed.They tell themselves, “Such a thing can’t exist!” But that is incorrect. There are ways to prevent stress! But before you prevent stress, you must first identify the sources of stress in your life.

Lets talk about a few ways that you should handle stress.

There are six Stress Management Strategies…..

Not all stress can be avoided, but the less you deal with the happier you will be. Learn how to say

“no”. Know your limits, such as responsibilities.

Taking on more than you can handle is very common among

workers. Avoid people who stress you out by reducing the

time you are around them.

Stress management strategy #1: Avoid unnecessary stress

Vent feelings instead of building them up. Just think of a balloon, if air pressure continues to build without proper

ventilation, it will explode.

Manage your time better. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan

ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you can alter the amount

of stress you’re under.

Stress management strategy #2: Alter the situation

Look at the big picture; does this really matter for me to get stressed about? Will it

matter to me in a month, or a year?

Perfectionists are also a big problem and stressor. Adjust

your standards. And one of the most popular is to be positive.

If you think positive, the outcome will be positive and

vice versa.

Stress management strategy #3: Adapt to the stressor

•One must accept the fact that in life we must forgive. You cannot hold a grudge and let it bottle up inside you. Let it go, and once you learn to do this, you have just removed a stressor.

Some people think they can control uncontrollable things, and it stresses them out. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such

as the way you choose to react to problems.

Stress management strategy #4: Accept the things you can’t change

Everyone needs some sort of relaxation period. Such

things can be a gentle massage, play with a loved pet, spend time in nature, sweat out tension with a good workout, watch a funny comedy or spend

time with friends.

Stress management strategy #5: Make time for fun and relaxation

One thing you can start with is

exercising regularly. This will improve

stamina and appearance. Reduce caffeine and sugar. These can tire you

even though they can provide you with a temporary energy

boost. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.

Don’t try to mask the stress you got built

up even thought these provide

temporary stress relievers. Deal with

problems with a clear head. Enough sleep fuels your body and provides you with a fresh start on life.

Starting your stress free day with a bad

stamina status isn’t a good choice.

With all these strategies for you to try, you must

make the first step to changing your

life.

Stress management strategy #6: Adopt a healthy lifestyle

To Sum it all up...

Stress is not something to take

lightly, stress is like a path. If you take the wrong road, it can lead to disaster,

however if you take the correct path, you

can return home.

The END