STRESS MANAGEMENT

 Stress is the wear and tear our bodies experience as we adjust to our changing environments. It has physical and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings.

·         Negative stress: stress can result in feelings of anger, depression and rejection, which can lead to health issues i.e. insomnia, high blood pressure

·         Positive stress: changes in working environments/job promotions ca lead to stress as we try to re-adjust our lives. Stress can help or hinder us and our performance, depending on how we respond to it.

What causes stress in the workplace?

1.       Workload and place: Having too much or too little to do and working under pressure

2.       Working hours: Long hours working alone, unpredictable working hours and bad shifts

3.       Participation and control: Lack of participation in decision making , Lack of control

4.       Interpersonal relationships: Bad relations with co-workers, bullying

5.       Organisational culture: Poor communication, Poor leadership

6.       Home versus work: Demands of work and home that interfere, No support for home problems at work vice versa.

7.       Career development, status and pay: Under-promotion and over-promotion, being over-skilled or under-skilled for the job, Piece rate payment schemes.

Ways in which stress impacts on businesses:

·         Absenteeism

·         Poor judgement

·         Grievances and complaints

·         Conflict and interpersonal problems

·         Customer service problems

·         Resistance to change

How to manage stress/ strategies to manage stress: