stress in corporate management (by s.k. tannan)

Stress in Corporate Management and Indian Perspective

By S.K Tannan

Introduction

The period from 1990 to present is different from every other period in human history as credible change has occurred during this period.

According to top Management Gurus like Peter Drucker, John Galbraith and Alvin Toffler, it is the age of uncertainty, anxiety and future shock.

Introduction

This particular period is different because of the new disease which has found its way into the lives of the people.

The symptoms of this disease range from minor discomfort to death, from headache to heart attack, from indigestion to shake from fatigue to high blood pressure.

This disease is known as stress. Today both family and corporate life is full of stress.

Introduction

Stress is caused by stimulus which may either be physical or psychological.

Positive stress is called Euless such as getting promotion or increments, while negative stress is called distress such as bad news or demotion.

Symptoms of Stress

There are ten key symptoms of success:(1) Sleep Difficulties(2) Loss of Appetite(3) Poor Concentration or poor Memory

Retention.(4) Performance Dip(5) Uncharacteristic Errors (6) Missed Deadlines(7) Anger

Symptoms of Stress

(8) Violent or Anti-Social Behavior(9) Emotional Burst(10) Alcohol or Drug Abuse Stress may also leas to some physical

disorders such as stomach ulcers, heart disease and kidney troubles.

Stress not only affect managers, it can affect any employee of the organization whether he is young or old.

Causes of Stress

Stress is caused by various factors, not all of the factors are work related.

Causes of the stress are known as stressors, which can be divided into two categories:

(1) External Stressors

(2) Internal Stressors

Causes of Stress

(1) External Stressors: Physical conditions such as heat or cold,

stressful psychological environment such as deteriorating working conditions and abusive relationship.

(2) Internal Stressors: Physical ailments such as infection or

inflammation or psychological problems and disorders.

Types of Stressors

Stressors can be short-term (acute) or long term (chronic)

Short-term acute stress is the reaction to immediate threat also known as fight or fight response. This happens when primitive part of the brain and certain chemicals within the brain cause a reaction to potentially harmful stressors such as noise, overcrowding, danger , harassment or even an imagined or recalled threat.

Types of Stressors

When the threat subsides, the body returns to normal, which is called the relaxation response.

Long-term Chronic Stressors are those pressures which are ongoing and continuous when the urge to fight or fight has been suppressed. Examples of chronic stressors are: ongoing pressure of work, ongoing relationship problems, isolation and persistent financial worries.

Causes of Stressors at workplace

The main causes of Stressors at the workplace are as follows:

(1) Bullying or harassment by anyone, not necessarily an employee's manager.

(2) Feeling powerless or uninvolved in determining one’s own responsibility.

(3) Continuous and unreasonable performance demands by the management.


(4) Lack of effective communication and conflict resolution.

(5) Lack of job security

(6) Long working hours

(7) Excessive time away from home and family

(8) Office politics and conflict among staff

(9) A feeling that one’s reward is not matching with one’s responsibility.


(10) Working hours responsibilities and pressure disrupting life balance (diet, exercise), sleep and rest, play, family time etc

How to reduce stress?

The key to de-stressing in the moment is getting away from or detaching yourself from the stressor.

Developing new habits which can distract you from stressors and stressful situations and pressures.

The stress reduction techniques are available to manage stress on a permanent basis.


The tips for stress reduction will not change the situation causing the stress, but they will enable you to change your reaction and relationship to the stressful situations.

The following are some of the tips for stress reduction:

(1) Humour: Humour is one the greatest and the quickest

device for reducing stress.


Humour works because laughter produces helpful chemicals in the brain.

Humour distracts you from having a stressed mindset.

Distraction is a simple and effective de-stressor. It takes your thoughts away from the stress and thereby diffuse the stressful feeling.

Most people will feel quite different and notice a change in mindset after laughing and being distracted by something humourous.


(2) Brisk walk and self talk: Go for a short brisk walk outside. Change the environment, breath in some fresh

air and smell the atmosphere which really is helpful in de-stressing.

Extend the exercise by going to a park and jogging a little


(3) Rehydrate: Most of us fail to drink enough water. All of our organs including brain are strongly

dependent on water to function properly. But if the body is not given enough of water and

is made to starve, then it will not function properly, and we will feel stressed physically and mentally.


Offices and workplaces have very dry atmosphere sue to air-conditioning etc which increases people’s susceptibility to dehydration.

Therefore, water is needed more by our body, to be properly hydrated by regularly drinking water.


(4) Catnap or Powernap: Take a quick nap, its nature’s way of

recharging and re-energizing. Though it is not easy, but still perfectly

possible. A quick 10-30 minutes sleep is very helpful to

reduce stress. A lunchtime snooze is very practical for

professional operating from their residence.


People in Central America take a siesta every working day and this is certainly related to longer life expectancy and lower level of disease.

If your work situation does not allow you to take a day time nap, then practice a short session of self-hypnosis combined with deep breathing which can easily be done on desk.

It works wonders.


(5) Make a Cuppa: Any tea will do. But a flavored cup of tea like lemon tea

is better. Experiment with different natural flavors using herbs,

spices etc. Mint is wonderful and excellent for the digestive

system. Making a tea and preparing the ingredients take your

off to your problems and then smelling and drinking the tea also gives you relaxation.


(6) Crying: Crying and shedding tears has a powerful

effect on the stress levels. A good amount of weeping does seem to

release tension and stress for many people. The attitude of the society towards crying and

tears prevent many people from crying, even in complete privacy.

stress in corporate management (by s.k. tannan)

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