During Stress During Organizational Change

Managing Stress During Organizational ChangeKRS ConsultingKathryn, Rochelle & SadrikaHistory of KRS ConsultingWe have been in business for over 5 years together. We each hold Masters Degrees from the University of New Haven.We have consulted for various organizations such as Google, Goldman Sachs, Hartford Life Insurance Company & PriceWaterhouseCoopers. ObjectivesDiscuss why we were hired by Pfizer. Discuss stress and the top identifying factors. Ways to reduce stress in the workplace and in your daily life.Where do we go from here? What has happened? February, 2011 AnnouncementsSite closure Sandwich, U.K. All Research units relocated to Cambridge, MassachusettsNo site identified25% reduction in headcountMarch, 2011Statistics research units are divided.Two have no fundingIn 2012, 35% reduction in ResearchApril, 2011Plans underway to move Cardiovascular, Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases from Groton to former Wyeth building, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

What has happened? August, 2011Site identified, yet to be constructed on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology CampusPfizer will rent this space.Neuroscience will relocate to former Wyeth location Second Quarter 2012All Research Units will move again in 2013 when the MIT building is constructed.

Sample Survey Questions How many alcoholic beverages do you have per day?

How many hours do you sleep per night?

How many times do you exercise per week?

How many times have you been absent within the past month due to illness e.g. headaches, back-aches, colds, fatigue?

Survey Results July 2010 July 2011Lets discuss what the results sayEmployees are more stressed than they were a year ago. Researched findings have concluded that Production has decreased Employees are engaging in stressful behaviors Employees are not as confident about the organization as the prior year

Lets talk about Stress! Stress is the experience of a perceived threat (real or imagined) to ones mental, physical, or spiritual well-being, resulting from a series of physiological responses and adaptations.Your body is hard wired to react to stress in ways meant to protect it against threats from predators and other aggressors. Your body treats the daily hassles as threats and if your mind and body are constantly on a edge than your body is constantly in an alarmed state (Fight/ Flight) The long term activation of the stress response system and overexposure to Cortisol which is the stress hormone and increase your changes of developing numerous health problems. All of your systems are affected by stress: Nervous, Endocrine, Respiratory, Cardiovasular, Immune, Digestive & Muscular- Skeletal

Stress and Your BodyIncreased Alcohol consumptionFatigue or ExhaustionCardio-Pulmonary Disease.Insomnia/ Hypersomnia Sadness/DepressionFeelings of HopelessnessFrequent Colds and InfectionsIndigestionDiarrhea, spastic colon or intestinal disorderSymptoms of UlcersGritting & Grinding teethPanic AttacksExcess Anxiety, Worry, Guilt, Nervousness Back and Neck PainCarpal Tunnel SyndromeEye StrainHeadaches and Migraines DiabetesHypertension Tight Neck / Shoulders

10What does this mean? Our primary focus here today is to educate you in ways to manage stress Ways to reduce stress in your life. Journaling Meditation Yoga Physical ExerciseBreathing Exercises Eating a Balanced DietTime Management

Stress and Your JobReduced Work Efficiency Increased Frustration Problems in Communicating Increased Number of Working Related Accidents Feeling Overloaded and Overwhelmed Difficulty Concentrating Racing ThoughtsTrouble Learning New Information Difficulty in Making Decisions Social Withdrawal and Isolation Forgetfulness Disorganization

Proof of Interventions reducing stress in the workplace

Air Force did a large meta analysis and found that a healthy lifestyle, protects people from the effects of stress Meditation reduces Stress and Anxiety Medical Research shows that Sleep ,rest and relaxation inversely correlate to Stress Medical Research by Dean Ornish, M.D. found that Diet, Exercise and Stress Management contribute to lowering Coronary risk, the largest killer Workplace Health Promotion gives large return on investment DuPont factor of 1.4;Travelers factor of 3.4 for every dollar investWorkplace Health Promotion gives large return on investment Aromatherapy reduces stress (study at RPI, 1993Psychiatric Research has proved that Mental well-being strategies, including workshop, counteract the consequences of stress in the workplace

The Intervention Our goal today is to teach you techniques to reduce your stressWe are going to introduce you to 3 different Stress Techniques that are proven to reduce your stressJournaling, Yoga and Meditation Our Goal:

Journaling Journal Writing is a coping technique; expression of thoughts, feelings, memories, and ideas in written form to increase self- awareness.

Having a journal can help relieve stress through writing about irritations, which can guide you to work through issues

Writing about personally experienced stressors or traumatic events has been associated with improvements in mental and physical health.

The expression of emotion is beneficial to mental health whereas the inhibition of emotion is harmful.

Journal writing is one of the most effective coping skills available to provide profound internal vision and enhance the self-awareness process. It initiates the communication of self-reflection between the mind and the soul which is the necessary first step in the resolution and closure of perceived stress. Self Expression through journal writing may serve as an emotional catharsis by getting out on paper the toxic thoughts roaming through ones head. It allows the release of thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that liberates the mind.

Successful Journal Writing Tips: What you will need: A notebook dedicated solely to journaling, pen or pencil and a quiet environment Try to identify those concerns and problems that cause the most frustration, grief or tensionAsk yourself what emotions are elicited when these stressors are encounteredAllow the writing process to augment your creative process to further resolution Centering Before you write take a moment to relaxWrite whatever may come to your mind

Yoga Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that can reduce stress and relieve muscular tension or pain. Practicing yoga at the workplace teaches employees to use relaxation techniques to reduce stress and risks of injury on the job. Yoga at the workplace is a convenient and practical outlet that improves work performance by relieving tension and job stress.Practicing yoga has been shown to reduce pain, relieve tension, reduce risks of injury, improve posture, improve communication, increase energy and attention span, and enhance feelings of overall wellness and well-being.

YogaIn comparison to job stress, yoga has a dramatic and opposite effect on the body:Decreased heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Yoga at work is a convenient and practical needed outlet for work-related stressors. Yoga at work teaches employees relaxation techniques to decrease tension and pain as well as prevention strategies to reduce risks of injury on the job, thereby improving work performance.Being mindful of the body helps break the poor postural habits and encourages rest breaks from repetitive motions that may contribute to pain Yoga techniques are prevention skills for life.

Meditation Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. It was meant to help deepen understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. Today it is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction.

Meditation Guided Meditation Focused AttentionRelaxed BreathingA Quiet SettingA Comfortable PositionBreathe DeeplyScan your Body

Where do you go from here? We have with the help of your organization created Relaxation Ready Rooms (RRR) Employees will be given 30 minutes each day to go into the Relaxation RoomYou will be given the opportunity to practice Yoga, Meditation and Journaling.

RelaxationReady Rooms

Overview Pfizer is here to assist their employees in managing stress. To demonstrate how they care about their employees and their commitment to the well-being of their employees.Stress can be very detrimental to your health if not addressed.Employees are encouraged to utilize the Relaxation Ready Rooms on a daily basis.

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