Stress Management

Stress Management • Stress:A dynamic condition in which an individual is confronted with an opportunity,constraint,or demand related to what he or she desires & and for which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain & important. • Job Stress: A condition arising from the interaction of people & their jobs & characterized by changes within people that force them to deviate from their normal functioning.

General Adaptation Syndrome: • GAS refers to the defensive reactions designed to help a person cope with any environmental demand perceived as threatening. • It outlines three stages in coping with such stress situations. • 1.Alarm Stage. • 2.The resistance stage. • 3.Exhaustion Stage.

The Causes of stress; • 1.Extraorganizational Stressors. • 2.Organizational stressors. • 3.Group Stressors. • 4.Individual Stressors.

Extraorganizational Stressors: • • • • • •

1.Social & Technological changes. 2.Family problems. 3.Relocation. 4.Economic & Financial conditions. 5.Race & Class. 6.Residential & Community conditions.

Organizational Stressors; • • • • •

1.High-stress jobs. 2.Job role. 3.Poor working conditions. 4.Organizational politics. 5.Poor work relationships.

Group Stressors; • 1.Absence of Group cohesiveness. • 2.Absence of support from group members. • 3.Conflicts related to the group.

Individual Stressors: • • • • • •

Role conflict & ambiguity. Type A characteristics. Locus of control. Learned helpnessness. Self Efficacy. Psychological hardiness.

Macrolevel Organizational Stressors: • 1.Administrative Policies & Strategies. • 2.Organization Structure & Design. • 3.Organizational Processes. • 4.Working Conditions.

Managing Behaviour to Combat Stress; • • • • • • •

1.Making time for leisure. 2.Scheduling priorities 3.Delegating tasks to others. 4.Focusing on one thing at a time. 5.Understanding ones body rhythms 6.Turning down requests occasionally. 7.Identifying the source of stress.

The Effects of occupational stress: • 1.Physical Problems. • 2.Psychological problems. • 3.Behavioral Problems.

Strategies To cope with stress: • 1.Individual Strategies to cope with stress: • Problem focused strategies. • Time management. • Requesting others for help. • Shifting to another job.

2.Emotion focused strategies: • • • • •

1.Relaxation. 2.Exercise. 3.Psychological strategies. 4.Recreation. 5.Companionship.

Organizational Strategies to Cope With Stress • • • • • •

Problem-focused strategies. Redesigning the job. Proper selection & placement. Training. Team building. Providing various day care facilities.

Emotion Focused strategies • Promoting open communication within the organization. • Employee assistance programs. • Mentoring. • Wellness programs & personal time off.