Stress management is the application of methods to either reduce stress or increase tolerance.
We are all familiar with the term stress. Today it wreaks havoc with society as the numbers for stress, anxiety and depression raise daily affecting our personal and professional lives.
Stress falls under mental health and although mental health is described as either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder, World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.
Employers are often stranded with employees away on sick leave for stress which can impact the workplace office moral, in some cases particularly in smaller businesses causing an overload, not to mention strain on the pocket of the employee.
Prolonged psychological stress can negatively impact health and has been cited as a factor in cognitive impairment with aging, depressive illness and in the expression of physical disease.
Stress Management Techniques
Massage is a common physical method for relieving stress.
Psychological (mental) methods include cognitive therapy, meditation, and positive thinking which work by reducing response to stress.
Skills training is another way to reduce stress. Improving relevant skills and abilities builds confidence which helps to reduce the stress reaction to situations where certain skills are required.
Are you competent and trained sufficiently in the areas you are working?
Reducing uncertainty, by increasing knowledge and experience not only in an area of skill or trade but also in potential areas related to stress-causing situations can reduce or even alleviate stress.
Having someone to speak with or be coached by, someone you can trust, who has experience in the trade can also assist in alleviating stress.
Redefining job roles so that they are appropriate for the level of skill and experience is essential not only for the stress levels of the person involved, also for the working environment, clients and home life.
Stress Management Strategies
Coping strategies such as improving problem solving and time management skills may reduce stressful reactions to problems.
TO DO
1. Assess your own stress levels
2. Assess the stress levels of others around you
3. Are you bringing stress into the workplace from home
4. Are you taking stress from work home
5. Are your skills sufficient for you to feel competent in your work
6. Do you actually enjoy your work
7. Speak with your workplace regarding more training
8. What skills do you have to cope with stress
9. Get yourself a coach
Implementing Workplace Wellness Programs are becoming increasingly popular as they are being recognized for their value in improving the health and well-being of their employees.
Emphasis is placed on increasing morale, loyalty and productivity and can include such things as onsite fitness centres, or subscriptions to fitness centres, health presentations related to nutrition, weight and stress management, wellness newsletters, access to coaching and training.
Other programs include health risk assessments, health screenings and body mass index monitoring.
So how are your stress levels and how do you manage them?
Remember stress affects your body chemistry, mental and emotional responses and your body chemistry affects your physical, mental and emotional bodies.
What physical symptoms are you experiencing that perhaps just may be related to stress and when are you going to do something about it?
Love and Blesses
Your E-Coach
Dianne