Personal STRESS

Dan Baterina

Presentation Outline

Part 1 – Stress in General

Part 2 - Stress at Work

Part 3 – Stress Management

Part 1

Stress in General

Legal OverviewHEALTH AND SAFETY IN EMPLOYMENT ACT 1992 (sect

6)

Every employer shall take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN EMPLOYMENT ACT 1992 (sect 7)

Every employer shall ensure that there are in place effective methods for identifying existing hazards, and (if possible before they arise) new hazards to employees at work.

WHAT IS STRESS ?

Stress is a worried or nervous feeling that makes you unable to relax, or a situation that makes you feel like this.

STRESS FEELINGS

•Anxiety•Restlessness•Worrying•Irritability•Depression•Sadness•Anger•Feeling insecure•Lack of focus•Burnout•Forgetfulness

TYPES OF STRESSORS

•Physicochemical stressor-External environment represented by "nature."

• Social stressor-The "social environment."

•Biological stressor-The internal environment. Example sickness and injury

• Mental stressor -Psychological condition mostly caused by the above stressors

NEGATIVE STRESSThis is a long-term stress that is harmful to your body. It can drain your energy and your ability to perform well.

Characteristics:•Causes anxiety or concern•Is perceived as outside of our coping abilities•Feels unpleasant•Decreases performance•Can lead to mental and physical problems

POSITIVE STRESS

This is a good feeling stress that gives you extra energy to perform at your best. However this is only a short- term feeling.

Characteristics:•Motivates, focuses energy•Feels exciting•Improves performance•Productive

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

•Physical symptoms•Mental symptoms•Behavioural symptoms•Emotional symptoms

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS•Headache•Back pain•Chest pain•Heart disease•Heart palpitations•High blood pressure•Decreased immunity•Stomach upset•Sleep problems

MENTAL SYMPTOMS

•Affects your thinking•Lack of concentration•Burnout•Confusion•Seeing only the negative•Anxious or racing thoughts•Constant worrying

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

•Overeating•Undereating•Angry outbursts•Drug or alcohol abuse•Increased smoking•Social withdrawal•Crying spells•Relationship conflicts

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

•Moodiness•Irritability or short temper•Agitation, inability to relax•Feeling overwhelmed•Sense of loneliness and isolation•Depression or general unhappiness

STRESS RELATED ILLNESSES

Stress is not the same as ill-health, but has been related to such illnesses as;

• Ulcer• Arthritis• Cancer• Heart Attack and High blood pressure

COSTS OF STRESSStress Statistics

•Stress is recognized as the number one killer today. The American Medical Association stated that stress was the cause of 80 to 85 percent of all human illness and disease or at the very least had a detrimental effect on our health.•In 2005/6 work related stress, depression and anxiety cost Great Britain in excess of £530 million.  The number of workers who had sought medical advice for what they believed to be work related stress increased by 110,000 to an estimated 530,000.

Part 2

Stress at Work

FACTORS INFLUENCING WORK STRESS

•The drive for success

•Uncertainty

•Conflict

•Changing work patterns

•Overwork

•Under-work

•Responsibility

•Relationship at work

Part 3

Stress Management

Causes of Stress

•External Stresses

•Internal Stresses

External Stresses - Organisational

•Technology Changes•Poor employee benefits•Fast paced work•Insufficient resources•Increasing number of redundant•Major re-organisation•Company relocations•Overtime•Consistent poor performance

External Stresses - Major Life Events

•Job loss•Retirement•Change in financial status•GST increase•Mortgage•Death of a loved one•Minor violations of the law•Imprisonment•Holiday•Christmas

Internal Stress

•Internal stress remain in our bodies, unknown to us, in the form of emotions. They are also restrictions that have been imposed on us by our parents, our teachers and various authority figures that have taught us what to do and more importantly, what not to do.

•When internal stressors interact with the internal stressors it creates arousal in our body systems, then it will become stress.

STRESS CONTROL•Take 40 deep slow diaphragmatic breaths each day. •Use regular relaxation periods for work breaks. •Get regular exercise. •Eat healthy foods.•Get focused on new directions and regular planning. •Have a positive attitude.•Protect yourself from negative co-workers and relationships.•Give sincere compliments freely and be friendly.•Communicate.

Stress Management Techniques

•Change your sleeping timeGet enough rest, always sleep more than 8 hours

•Change your dietEat more vegetables

and avoid eating fats•Change your lifestyle

Reduce the use of alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs

Summary

•What is stress?

•Factors Influencing stress

•Types of stress

•How to manage stress

Dan Baterina