STRESS CONSEQUENCE/EFFECT

This shows itself in a number of ways, for instance an individual experiencing a high

level of stress may develop high blood pressure, ulcers, irritability, difficulty in making

routine decisions, loss of appetite, accident proneness and the like. All these can be

grouped into three categories: physiological, psychological and behavioral symptoms.

PHYSIOLOGICAL symptoms

(Changes in an individual’s health as a result of stress.)

Our body physiologically responds to help keep us safe, which means it mobilizes all of

our body's resources so that we can protect ourselves.

One of the first things that happen is that our breathing increases so that we can increase

oxygen consumption. Our heart rate usually increases so that it can get blood and

nutrients to the muscle groups in our body that might be needed to sort of help protect us

physically from this threat. Our blood vessels constrict so that we can get the blood there

quicker, which means that our blood pressure goes up. So increased breathing, increased

heart rate, increased blood pressure are things that should be happening when our body is

stressed out. Stress could therefore induce heart attack, increase blood pressure and bring

on migraine (frequent headaches and tension headaches) and more frequent asthma

attacks,

We also tend to be more susceptible to flues and colds as the immune system becomes

weakened, there may worsening eczema/psoriasis, baldness or increased hair loss,

menstrual irregularity and premature ejaculation or impotence.

PSYCHOLOGICAL symptoms

(Changes in an individual’s attitudes and disposition due to stress.)

In the main the feelings of anxiety, moodiness and depression become manifested in an

individual’s behaviour.

Changes in an individual’s behavior- including productivity (this may become low),

absence may increase, and turnover rate may be higher (meaning new persons have to be

constantly sought for the job as people tend to leave).There may be tiredness and fatigue

without reasons. Generally there may be changes in eating habits (increased or

decreased), increased smoking or consumption of alcohol, rapid speech, fidgeting, and

sleep disorders, anger, irritability, mood swings, aggression, accident proneness,

withdrawal and hostility.

STRESS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

INDIVIDUAL APPROACHES

An employee can take personal responsibility for reducing his or her stress level.

Individual strategies that have proven effective include implementing time management

techniques, increasing physical exercise, relaxation training, and expanding the social

support network.

Time management

Many people manage time poorly. The things they have to accomplish in any given day

or week are not necessarily beyond completion if they manage their time properly. The

well organized employee just as the well organized student can accomplish twice as much

as the person who is poorly organized. A few of the more well known time management

principles are: (1) making lists of activities to be accomplished (2) prioritizing activities

importance and urgency (3) knowing your daily cycle and handling the most demanding

parts of your job during the high part of your cycle when you are most alert and

productive.

Physical Exercise

Such as aerobics, race walking, jogging, swimming, and riding a bicycle have been

recommended by physicians as a way to deal with stress levels. These forms of exercise

increase heart capacity, lower at-rest heart rate, provide a mental diversion from work

pressures and offer a means to let off steam.

Relaxation Training

Individuals can teach themselves to relax through techniques such as meditation,

hypnosis, and biofeedback. Once you have reached a deep state of relaxation stress will

slowly disappear.

Social Support

Having friends, family, or work colleagues to talk to provides an outlet when stress levels

become excessive. Expanding your social support network, therefore, can be a means for

tension reduction. It provides someone to hear your problems and a more objective

perspective on the situation.

ORGANIZATIONAL APPROACHES

Selection and Placement

While certain jobs are more stressful than others, we also learned that different

individuals require differently to stress. Strategies that management might want to

consider include improved personnel selection and job placemen, use of realistic goal

setting, redesigning jobs. Obviously they shouldn’t restrict hiring to only experienced

individuals.

Goal Setting

The use of goals can reduce stress as well as provide motivation. Specific goals that are

perceived as attainable clarify performance expectations. Additionally, goal feedback

reduces uncertainties as to actual job performance.

Job Redesign

Redesigning jobs to give employees more responsibility, more meaningful work, more

autonomy, and increased feedback can reduce stress, because these factors give the

employee greater control over work activities and lessen dependence on others.

Participation Decision Making

Role Stress is detrimental to a large extent because employees feel uncertain about goals,

expectations, how they be evaluated, and the like. By giving these employees a voice in

the decisions that directly affect their job performances, management can increase

employee control and reduce this role stress.

Organizational Communication

Increasing formal communication with employees reduces uncertainty by lessening role

ambiguity and role conflict. Given the importance that perceptions play in moderating the

stress-response relationship, management can also use effective communications as a

means to shape employee perceptions.

Wellness Programmes

Our final suggestion is to offer organizationally supported wellness programs. These

programmers focus on employee’s total physical and mental condition. For example, they

typically provide workshops to help people quit smoking, control alcohol use, lose

weight, eat better and develop a regular exercise programmed.