Ar e you St r essed?

Feel like you are Losing It?

Stress…• Researchers define stress as a physical,

mental, or emotional response to events that causes bodily or mental tension. Simply put, stress is any outside force or event that has an effect on our body or mind.

What Causes Us Stress?What Causes Us Stress?

While locked up prisoners maketwenty decisions a day, those of us walking the streets make one hundred & twenty decisions a day.

-Prison Fellowship

Signs of StressSigns of Stress• Physical

– Headache – Back Pain– Fatigue– Aches and Pains

• Mental– Difficulty Concentrating– Increased Errors– Poor Decision Making

Myths of StressMyths of Stress

• All stress is bad• Stress will not hurt you• What stresses you out also stresses me out

• No symptoms, no stress• Only major symptoms of stress are harmful

How many hats do you wear?How many hats do you wear?• Personal

• Work Related

Managing StressManaging Stress What is your favorite stress reliever?

How Can We Manage Stress?How Can We Manage Stress?

Live with an Attitude of Gratitude Be Grateful for what you have.

Time ManagementTime Management• Get organized• Get structured• Set short term goals• Set long term goals• Use a planner:

– daily schedule and “To Do” list

RelaxationRelaxation• Breathing: practice deep breathing• Progressive muscle relaxation• Guided Imagery• Meditation• Tapes, CDs etc.: Either something structured (commercial) or soothing music

• Choose and schedule it in

Cognitive (Thoughts)Cognitive (Thoughts)• Pay attention to what you say to yourself

• Identify negative thinking and irrational beliefs

• Negative thinking leads to stress and anxiety

• Teach thought-stopping techniques• Teach affirmations

One negative thought leads to another……….. then another……….. then another …..

Pretty soon you have ruined your entire life

SpiritualitySpirituality• Church, etc• Help others• Spend quiet time every day• Be thankful• Think positively• Put your faith to work! "I am at peace in the midst of chaos or madness. No person, place or thing has the power to upset me.".

EatingEating• Cut down on sugar, caffeine, processed foods

• Eat nutritiously: all food groups, especially fresh fruits and veggies

• Eat a little every couple of hours or so

• Eat slowly

More Ideas…

• Laugh Often• Try a New Thing• Cry• Get Enough Sleep• Exercise & Fresh Air• Build a Support System – Friends, Family

and Co-Workers• SAY “NO” OCCASSIONALY

Even More Ideas• Let go of perfectionism• Learn to be flexible• Relax your standards• Focus less on pleasing others and more on pleasing yourself

• Stay away from negative people• Surround yourself with upbeat, flexible and fun people.

Personal Stress First Aid KitPersonal Stress First Aid Kit• What would you put in yours?

• I have in mine…

Name Your Stressor Name Your Stressor • Person• Place• Thing• Combination

Ann Landers said…Ann Landers said…

“People take advantage of

you only with your permission”

Defining StressDefining StressCommon Causes of Stress

• Organizational Factors – Task demands include job design, working

conditions, the physical layout, and work quotas.

– Role demands include role conflicts, role overload and role ambiguity.

– Interpersonal demands include lack of social support and poor interpersonal relationships.

Defining StressDefining Stress

Common Causes of Stress– Organizational structure causes include

excessive rules and lack of opportunity to participate.

– Organizational leadership causes include supervisory styles which cause unrealistic pressures, tight controls, and the threat of job loss.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Defining StressDefining StressReducing Stress

• HRM approaches include– matching individuals to their jobs– clarifying expectations– redesigning jobs– offering involvement and participation

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Defining StressDefining StressReducing Stress

• Dilemmas for HRM include:– balancing the need to

energize people with the need to minimize dysfunctional stress

– deciding how much an employer can interrupt on employees’ personal lives

Defining StressDefining StressA Special Case of Stress: Burnout • Burnout is a function of three concerns:

– Chronic emotional stress with emotional and/or physical exhaustion

– Lowered job productivity – Dehumanizing of jobs

Defining StressDefining Stress• Causes and symptoms of burnout:

– Organization characteristics – Perceptions of organization – Perceptions of role – Individual characteristics – Outcomes

• Reducing burnout - four techniques are proposed: – Identification – Prevention – Mediation – Remediation

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Employee Assistance The Employee Assistance ProgramProgram

Wellness Programs – Programs to keep employees healthy; include

smoking cessation, physical fitness, weight control, etc.

– Designed to cut employer health costs and lower absenteeism.

– Employees must view programs as having value. – Must have top management support. – Should also provide services for employees’ families. – Need opportunities for employee input.

Questions?Questions?