PERSONAL STRESS

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 your body's way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people feel stressed by something going on around them, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood. These chemicals give people more energy and strength, which can be a good thing if their stress is caused by physical danger. But this can also be a bad thing, if their stress is in response to something emotional and there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength. This class will discuss different causes of stress, how stress affects you, the difference between 'good' or 'positive' stress and 'bad' or 'negative' stress, and some common facts about how stress affects people today.

STRESS FEELINGS

Feelings of stress is created when we react to particular events. It's the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness.

TYPES OF STRESSORSNegative personal

Stressors The death of a spouse Filing for divorce Losing contact with loved ones The death of a family member Hospitalization Injury or illness Being abused or neglected Separation from a family member Conflict in interpersonal relationships Bankruptcy/Money Problems Unemployment Sleep problems Children's problems at school Legal problems

Positive personal Stressors

Receiving a promotion or raise at work Starting a new job Marriage Buying a home Having a child Moving Taking a vacation Holiday seasons Retiring

NEGATIVE STRESSNegative stress is stress that a person feels they cannot handle. If they have been feeling this stress for a long time their body will wear out and they will not be able to function normally. This can lead to depression, anxiety, lower self esteem and other mental health issues.

POSITIVE STRESSPositive Stress is also called Eustress. This excitement is felt by people when they are confronted by a demanding situation, which they think they can handle. This fills them with thrill and excitement. Like runners on the track, taking a ride on the roller coaster, taking up a challenging project at workplace. . Positive Stress gives you the energy to throw yourself into something where you want to make some contribution. Approaching exams enhance a student's concentration and learning capability

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

Physical symptoms

Mental symptoms

Behavioural symptoms

Emotional symptoms

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMSMost of the common physical

symptoms of stress are caused by your own bodies 'fight or flight' response, which was never intended by nature to be used for extended periods of time. This response evolved to help us in dangerous situations - either to stay and fight or run away, both these reactions involve the body using chemicals and hormones to heighten awareness and give us a instant boost of energy & strength.

MENTAL SYMPTOMSMental stress You may:

Become irritable and intolerant of even minor disturbances.

Feel irritated or frustrated, lose your temper more often, and yell at others for no reason.

Feel jumpy or exhausted all the time. Find it hard to concentrate or focus on

tasks. Worry too much about insignificant

things. Doubt your ability to do things. Imagine negative, worrisome, or

terrifying scenes. Feel you are missing opportunities

because you cannot act quickly.

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

Increased smoking Aggressive behaviors (such as

driving - road rage, etc.). Increased alcohol or drug use Carelessness Under-eating Over-

eating Withdrawal Listlessness Hostility Accident-proneness Nervous laughter Compulsive behavior and

Impatience.

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMSAnger

AggressionPanic attacksMoodsIrritableDepressionWorryLosing ControlAggressiveHostile Mental StateAnxietyEmotionalFearGuiltParanoia

STRESS RELATED ILLNESSES

Stress is not the same as ill-health, but has

beenrelated to such illnesses as;

Migraine headaches Heart attack and high blood pressure Ulcers Cancer

COSTS OF STRESSPreventable job stress is draining A$730 million ($949 million) a year from the Australian economy, a report has found. An estimated 1.5 million workers have been diagnosed with depression from excessive job stress, costing businesses more than A$8000 per person every year

Part 2

Stress at Work

FACTORS INFLUENCING WORK

STRESSWorking long hours at the office, particularly if they are beyond your control. Finding it hard to say no to a task for fear of losing future work - a common issue for the

self-employed or anyone under financial pressures. Exposure to traumatic incidents at work, something that police, prison officers, ambulance

workers and other health professionals face on an almost daily basis. Feeling undervalued at work. This can lead to stress and tension on the home front. Boredom. A lack of motivation can leave you doubling your self-worth and ability to

cope. Frustration - often experienced by people who find the path to promotion is constantly

being blocked by someone else. Being near the bottom of the ladder in a large hierarchical organisation where you have little control over your working day.

Fear of redundancy can put added pressure on a person to spend more time at work, and to take on extra responsibilities.

Workplace victimisation or bullying can seriously affect a person’s self-esteem. Dealing with constant change in the workplace environment and the tasks you are

expected to perform.

Part 3

Stress Management

Causes of Stress

External Stresses

Internal Stresses

External Stresses - Organisational

There are many aspects oforganizational life that canbecome external stressors.These include issues ofstructure, management's use ofauthority, monotony, a lack ofopportunity for advancement,excessive responsibilities,ambiguous demands, valueconflicts, and unrealistic workloads. A person's non-working life(e.g., family, friends, health, andfinancial situations) canalso contain stressors thatnegatively impact job

performance.

External Stresses - Major Life Events

Life changes do not have to be catastrophic to be stressful, according to medical professionals at MayoClinic.com. The loss of a spouse through death or divorce is one of the most stressful events you can experience, but getting married, having a baby or moving into a new home can be stressful as well. Anything that puts pressure on you can create stress.

External factors, contributing tostress include:

  Major life changes

Work

Relationship difficulties

Financial problems

Being too busy

Children and family

Internal StressInternal stress is stress that is induced by internal emotions and conclusions. How does it affect my health? Why should I be concerned? Once our body feels unable to cope or control these emotions it results in the feeling of stress.

Take 40 deep slow diaphragmatic breaths each day. (Spread evenly throughout your day, not all at once at the end of the day or you might hyperventilate.) You can benefit from associating the deep breaths with some common work occurrence such as the telephone ringing or clock watching.

Use regular relaxation periods for work breaks. Get regular exercise. Eat sensibly. Avoid caffeine. Get focused on new directions and regular planning. Give

yourself positive options if you feel trapped. Use and develop your humor! Positive attitudes really helps

difficulties. Protect yourself from negative co-workers and relationships. Get back in control!!! If you can not control all the people and

situations that happen around you... at least you can control the way you respond!

Give sincere compliments freely and smile! Be positive and let it shine on all that surround you. It will come back many times more. 

Learn to really listen! It is the best communication technique that you can develop!

STRESS CONTROL

Stress Management Techniques

Change your circumstances

Change your hobbies

Change your thoughts

Summary

Stress is a basic part of life. The way in which we deal with stress will make our lives pleasant and comfortable or leave us stressed and incapable of performing our obligations to the best of our abilities.