STRESS MANAGEMENT

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STRESS MANAGEMENT
Mrs. Y. L. Kotzé Chief Environmental Health
Practitioner Provincial Occupational Health Unit
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PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES

• Part 1 - Introduction
• Part 2 - Stress at Work
• Part 3 Individual Stress Management

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PART 1

• Introduction

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LEGISLATION

• Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of
  1993)
• Every employer shall provide and maintain, as far
  as reasonably practicable, a working environment
  that is safe and without risk to the health of
  his employees. Section 8 (1)
• Every employee shall at work take reasonably care
  for the health and safety of himself and of other
  persons who may be affected by his acts or
  omissions. Section 14(a)

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DEFINITION OF STRESS

• Reaction to excessive pressures or other types
  of demand placed upon people. People worry that
  they cant cope.
• Stress is the wear and tear of our minds and
  bodies experience as we attempt to cope with our
  continually changing environment.
• Stress occurs when the pressure is greater than
  the resource.

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FEELINGS OF STRESS

• Worry
• Tense
• Tired
• Frightened
• Depressed
• Anxious
• Anger

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EXTERNAL STRESSORS

• Physical Environment Noise
• Social Interaction Rudeness, aggression,
  bullying
• Organisational Rules and Regulations
• Major Life Events Birth, death, loss of job
• Daily Hassles Commuting

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INTERNAL STRESSORS

• Lifestyle choices Overloaded schedule
• Negative self-talk Self criticism
• Mind traps Unrealistic expectations
• Personality traits Perfectionists, workaholics

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NEGATIVE STRESS

• Contributory factor in minor conditions
• Headaches, digestive problems, skin complaints,
  insomnia and ulcers.
• Excessive, prolonged and unrelieved stress
• Harmful effects on mental and physical health.

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POSITIVE STRESS

• Positive effects
• Motivation and awareness
• Providing the stimulation to cope with
  challenging situations
• Sense of urgency and alertness needed for
  survival when confronting threatening situations

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PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

• Sleep pattern changes
• Fatigue
• Digestion changes
• Headaches
• Aches and pains
• Infections
• Indigestion

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Sweating and trembling
• Tingling hands and feet
• Breathlessness
• Palpitations
• Missed heartbeats

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MENTAL SYMPTOMS

• Lack of concentration
• Memory lapses
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Panic attacks

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BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

• Appetite changes
• Eating disorders
• Increased intake of alcohol and other drugs
• Increased smoking
• Restlessness
• Fidgeting
• Nail biting

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EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

• Depression
• Impatience
• Fits of rage
• Tearfulness
• Deterioration of personal hygiene and appearance

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STRESS RELATED ILLNESSES

• Cardiovascular disease
• Immune system disease
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Digestive disorders
• Ulcers
• Skin complaints
• Headaches and migraines
• Depression

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PART 2

• Stress at Work

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FACTORS INFLUENCING WORK STRESS

• The drive for success
• Changing work patterns
• Working conditions hazards classifications
• Overwork
• Under-work

• Uncertainty roles, responsibilities
• Conflict
• Responsibility
• Relationships at work transparency
• Changes at work

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PART 3

• Individual Stress Management

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EXTERNAL STRESS- ORGANISATIONAL

• Reorganisation
• Employee benefits
• Overtime
• Little input into decisions
• Mistake consequences severe
• Workloads vary
• Fast paced work

• React to changes
• Advancement difficult
• Red tape delays jobs
• Insufficient resources
• Technology changes
• Workplace conditions
• Consistent poor performance

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EXTERNAL STRESS- LIFE EVENTS

• Death of a loved one
• Divorce / separation
• Injury/illness ( self / family )
• Marriage/ engagement
• Loss of job
• Retirement
• Pregnancy

• Financial problems
• Change of job / work
• Change in responsibilities
• Moving house
• Holidays
• Minor violations of the law

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RECOGNISE THE PROBLEM

• The most important point is to recognise the
  source of the negative stress.
• This is not an admission of weakness or
  inability to cope. It is a way to identify the
  problem and plan measures to overcome it.

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STRESS MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

• Awareness of causes and reactions
• Balance between positive and negative stress
• Control of negative effects of stress

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STRESS MANEGEMENT TECHNIQUES

• Change your thinking Reframing, positive
  thinking
• Change your behaviour Assertive, communication,
  organised
• Change your lifestyle Healthy eating, stop
  smoking, exercise,sleep, relaxation

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REFRAMING AND POSITVE THINKING

• Stress increases vulnerability to negative
  thoughts.
• Focus on positive thinking.
• Focus on your strengths.
• Learn from the stress you are under.
• Look for opportunities.
• Seek out the positive - make a change.

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ASSERTIVE

• Higher self-esteem
• Less self-conscious
• Less anxious
• Manage stress more successfully
• Appreciate yourself and others more easily
• Feeling of self-control

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GET ORGANISED

• Poor organisation is most common causes of
  stress.
• Structured approaches offer security against out
  of the blue problems.
• Prioritising objectives, duties and activities
  makes them manageable and achievable.
• Dont overload your mind. Organisation will help
  avoid personal and professional chaos.

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LIFESTYLE

• Healthy eating habits
• Stop smoking and moderate alcohol consumption

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BENEFITS OF EXCERCISE

• Improves blood circulation
• Lowers blood pressure
• Clears the mind of worrying thoughts
• Improves self image
• Makes you feel better about yourself
• Increases social contact

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SLEEP

• Good stress reducer
• Difficult to cope when tired
• Wake refreshed after nights sleep
• Plenty of daytime energy

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BENEFITS OF RELAXATION

• Lowers blood pressure
• Combats fatigue
• Promotes sleep
• Reduces pain
• Eases muscle tension
• Decreases mental worries
• Increases concentration
• Increases productivity
• Increases clear thinking

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ALTERNATIVES

• Medication
• Counselling and psychotherapy
• Relaxation
• Meditation
• Massage
• Yoga

• Homeopathy and herbalism
• Hypnotherapy
• Pet Therapy
• Reflexology
• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy

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SUMMARY

• Causes of stress
• Identification and admission
• Ways to control stress
• Alternative methods

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QUESTIONS?

• Thank you!