stress mgt 8sep05

8/9/2019 Stress Mgt 8sep05

1/23

Stress Management

Assessment for WorkplaceValue

Possibilities and Solutions

with Nancy Plumer of New Visions

Kingston, NY


2/23

Objectives for today: Participants will:

- gain a deeper understanding of workplace

stress,- reflect on the causes of stress in their

workplace,

- examine possibilities and strategies to

address stress in the workplace,- learn one stress reduction technique,

- have fun.


3/23

Agenda

Welcome and Overview of Presentation

Experiential Exercise

Stress What is it?Facts, Figures and Data on Workplace Stress

What Can Be Done About Workplace Stress?Approaches to Reducing Stress in the

WorkplaceStress Management Techniques

Q and A


4/23

ExerciseOn the handout entitled Difference

Between Tension/Relaxation, in the

center column write a few words or a

phrase for observations and

awarenesses of what is happening in

yourbody, with your thoughts and withyour feelings.


5/23

Stress and Job StressStress is the mental, emotional or physical

tension, stress or distress.

Job stressresults from the interaction ofthe worker and the conditions of work. Jobstress is defined by the National Institute forOccupational Health and Safety as the

harmfulphysicalandemotionalresponsesthatoccurwhentherequirements ofthejob do notmatchthecapabilities,resources orneeds ofthe worker.


6/23

Survey DataNorthwestern National Life found 40%

of workers report theirjob is very or

extremely stressful.

Yale University reported 29% of workers

reported they feel quite a bit orextremely stressed at work.


7/23

Attitudes in the American

Workplace Report 2001by The American Institute of Stress 65% of workers said that the workplace stress had caused

difficulties and more than 10% identified these as majordifficulties;

19% or almost one in five respondents had quit a previousposition because ofjob stress and nearly one is four have beendriven to tears because of workplace stress;

29% had yelled at a co-workerbecause of workplace stress,14% said they work where machinery or equipment has beendamaged because of workplace rage, 42% report that yelling

and other verbal abuse is common; 62% routinely find that they end the day with work-related neck-

pain, 44% reported stressed-out eyes, 38% complained ofhurting hands and 34% reported difficulty in sleeping becausethey were too stressed-out;

And more.


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Job Conditions That May

Lead to Stress

1. The Design of Tasks

2. Management Style

3. Interpersonal Relationships

4. Work Roles

5. Career Concerns

6. Environmental Conditions


9/23

Workplace Stress costs include:

Health Care Related Costs

Counterproductive Behavior in theWorkplace

Decreased Productivity

Accidents


10/23

Impact of Stress: Health Related

Muscle tension/spasms

Head, back and neck achesIndigestion leading to ulcers and colitis

Skin irritations

Tiredness, insomnia

High levels of anxiety

High blood pressure leading to stroke or heart diseaseAnorexia/Bulimia

Alcohol/Drug Abuse

Cancer

Depression, suicide


11/23

C

osts of Workplace Stress

Research shows that 60% to 90% of doctorvisits are stress related.

Perkins, A. (1994). Saving money by reducing

stress. Harvard Business Review. 72(6):12.

Forty percent of job turnover is due tostress.

Bureau of National Affairs


12/23

Costs of Workplace Stress:A Gallup Poll of 201 U.S. corporations revealed that 60% of all

managers felt that stress related illness was pervasiveamong their workers and decreased productivity at an

estimated cost of 16 days of sick leave and $8,000+ perperson per year.

The Gallup Poll

Insurance data indicates insurance claims for stress-relatedindustrial accidents cost nearly twice as much as nonstress-related industrial accidents.

Perkins, A. (1994) Harvard Business

Review. 72(6):12.


13/23

Costs of Workplace Stress:

"A landmark 20-year study conducted bythe University of London concluded that

unmanaged reactions to stress were amore dangerous risk factor for cancer andheart disease than either cigarettesmoking or high cholesterol foods."

Cryer, B. (1996). Neutralizing Workplace Stress: The

Physiology of Human Performance and OrganizationalEffectiveness. presented at: Psychological Disabilitiesin the Workplace, The Centre for ProfessionalLearning, Toronto, CA..


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What Can Be Done AboutWorkplace Stress?

Approaches to Reducing

Stress in the Workplace


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AComprehensive

Approach:

Stress Management Program

+

Organizational Change =

A Healthy Workplace


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Stress Management

Programs Can Include:*Stress management techniques training

*Conflict resolution/management training

*Communication/giving feedback training*Self-care strategies (wellness, fitness,

nutrition)

*Healthy work/life balance strategies

*Identify overly stressed workers and refer toEmployee Assistance Programs orcounseling.


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Some examples forOrganizational

Change could include: Examine policies, procedures and practices that impact worker

choice and value the individual worker.

Ensure the workload is in line with workers capabilities and

resources. Changejob design to reflect meaningful work and to provide

intellectual stimulation.

Clearly define workers roles and responsibilities.

Work to constantly improve corporate communications.

Work to insure that schedules and deadlines are compatible, notin conflict.

Recognize employees for good work performance.

Provide opportunities for career development.

Ensure management actions are consistent with organizationalvalues.


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A healthy workplace has low ratesof illness, injury and disability in itsworkforce and is also competitive in

the marketplace.

What are the issues and concerns for yourworkplace?


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Stress Management Skills1. Take care of yourself.

2. Ask for help and build support

networks.

3. Learn and practice relaxation.


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Much of our stress is based on ourbeliefs

and the stories we tell ourselves.

Beliefs >

Thoughts >

Feelings >

Behaviors >

Experience >which reinforce ourbeliefs..

and continues the cycle.


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Values, Beliefs and Behaviors

Whenever our values, beliefs

and behaviors are not in

alignment, we are in conflict

which creates stress.


22/23

Benefits of the Complete Breath

1. Relaxes the body and calms the mind.

2. Revitalizes the entire system.

3. Brings oxygen to the farthest reaches of the lungs that do not

usually receive a fresh supply of oxygen and energy due tohabitual shallow breathing.

4. Breaks down the old habit of shallow breathing andreestablishes a new habit of deep breathing and relaxation.

5. Gives the abdominal organs a gentle massage with the risingand falling abdominal muscles.

6. Improves digestion and elimination. Helps to relieveconstipation.

7. Very soothing during menstruation, especially when there isdiscomfort.

8. Can be practiced during relaxation, meditation and throughout

the day at anytime or any where.


23/23

Thank you for your presence and your attention

today. If you would like assistance

assessing, creating and/or implementing a

comprehensive approach to stressmanagement in your workplace, you can

reach New Visions at 845 687-2252.

SMILE, BREATHE and RELAX.

stress mgt 8sep05

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