Defining stress The Balance

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Defining stressThe Balance

• Stress is a stimulus which causes a response
• Stimulus can be perceived as positive or negative
• The extent of the response is important
• We can define stress as
• A RESPONSE MADE BY PEOPLE TO DEMANDS MADE UPON
  THEM.

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FIGHT OR FLIGHT - BODY CHANGES
Brain goes on red alert and prepares body for
action
Pupils dilate
Mouth goes dry
Sweating Muscles tense Lungs breathe faster Heart
beats faster Blood pressure rises Digestion
slows Liver releases glucose Adrenaline and
Noradrenalin released Sphincters close
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Physical Signs of Stress
Blurred vision
Headaches Insomnia Dizziness
Trouble in swallowing
Asthma
Excessive sweating
Chest pain
Heart and circulation High blood pressure
Skin rashes Allergies
Baclache
Indigestion Ulcers
Sexual difficulties
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Stress Means Distress Causing Certain Reactions

• Physical Reactions
• Headache
• Backache
• Muscle cramp
• Poor sleep
• Indigestion

• Psychological Reactions
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Tension
• Irritability
• Depression
• Boredom
• Inability to concentrate
• Feelings of unreality
• Low self-esteem

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Stress Means Distress Causing Certain Reactions

• Behavioural Effects
• Heavy indulgence in smoking, alcohol, and drugs.
• Impulsive emotional behaviour.

• Social Effects
• Poor relationship with others at home and at
  work.
• Inability to fulfil social and family roles.
• Social isolation.

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Stress 20th Century Phenomenon??

• Stress as a response is not new - but the
  pressures of urban life are! The concept of
  stress and stress related disease is attributable
  to the rapid changes in our environment.
• The decline of the extended family have added
  additional stressors to our lives (less support).
  Loneliness is a powerful stressor.
• Poorly developed social skills become a source of
  personal stress. Both our perceived status and
  our real status in society can act as stressors,
  in particular when expectations can not be met.

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Life Events Inventory
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Stress-Inducing Factor at WorkEnvironmental

• High levels of noise
• Poor lighting
• Poor ventilation
• Overcrowding
• Vibration
• Incorrect temperature

• Toxic fumes and Chemicals
• Badly designed furniture
• Open plan offices
• Poor maintenance
• Poor canteen facilities
• Poor childcare facilities

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Stress-Inducing Factor at WorkJob Design

• Repetitious boring work
• Too much/little work
• Pace and flow of work
• Too much/little supervision
• Lack of direction and decision making

• Constant sitting
• Lack of adequate rest breaks
• Working with VDUs or other machinery
• Lack of job control
• Under-utilisation of skills
• Unexpected, unexplained change

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Stress-Inducing Factor at WorkContractual

• Low pay
• Shift work
• Excessive hours of overtime
• Flexitime
• Job insecurity (including temporary / short-time
  contracts and redundancy

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Stress-Inducing Factor at WorkRelationships

• Bad relationships with supervisors/workmate
• Sexism/Racism/Ageism (including harassment and
  discrimination
• Customer/Client complaints
• Impersonal treatment at work
• Lack of communication
• Lack of control
• Autocratic management styles

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Management Style Plays a Key Role in Reducing and
Increasing Stress

• Autocratic / Low Participation
• Encourages interpersonal competition
• Rigid
• Hierarchy
• Impersonal Communication
• Decisions made with little or no consultation
• Focus on individual achievements
• Reliance on procedure and rules
• Few opportunities for creativity

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Management Style Plays a Key Role in Reducing and
Increasing Stress

• Democratic / High Involvement
• Encourages personal expression
• Stresses teamwork
• Values creativity
• Encourages self-development
• Makes joint decisions
• Is flexible
• Places high value on formal and informal
  communications

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Cost of Stress

• Absenteeism
• Poor business relations
• Poor productivity
• High staff turn over
• Conflicts and non-cooperation
• Job dissatisfaction
• Frequent accidents

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Work-Related Stress

• Who Suffers from Stress at Work in PDO

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Occupational Health Cases in PDO
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Identified root causes of 34 PDO 'work related
stress' cases in 1999 and of 24 cases in
2000Number of cases per job group
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Identified Cases of Work Related Stress of PDO
employees in 1999.
Number of Cases per Age Group and TROIF per Age
Group (Illness Specific)
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What Do We Know of Stressors in PDO
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Identified root causes of 34 PDO 'work related
stress' cases in 1999 and of 24 cases in 2000
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Overview of Responses to 19 Potential Stressors
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Overview of Responses to 19 Potential Stressors
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Stress Survey 2000The important identified
significant stressors are

• unexpected situations,
• shortcomings in work of others,
• absence of others,
• working atmosphere,
• annoyance by others,
• not being sufficiently trained,
• appreciation of work done
• unsatisfactory remuneration

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Management Role Practical Actions to Manage
Stress
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Role of Line Manager and Supervisor

• Understand the human stress response (Module I)
• Identify stressors
• Eliminate and /or control stressors

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Practical Action to Manage Stress

• Practical Action
• Accept that stress exists
• Watch for signs of stress
• Bring in practical help or refer
• Being willing to listen and to counsel
• Identify the stressors, reduce them
• Be aware of your personal stress
• Avoid sharing your stress

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Practical Action to Manage Stress
Listening means Attention, Learning and
Understanding It is More than Hearing!!!

• No hasty judgments
• Show genuine and sincere interest
• Let the speaker talk, try not to interrupt
• Seek the meaning of specific words
• Give feedback
• Avoid any showing of emotion
• Asks questions for clarification

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Practical Action to Manage Stress

• Counselling
• Be pro-active, dont wait for the real distress
• Show empathy (listening)
• Problem solving approach, dont dictate solutions
• Encourage people to develop their own solutions
• Dont become over-involved
• Respect confidence
• Beyond your scope -advise referral- , but stay
  interested

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Practical Action to Manage Stress

• Be Aware of Being a Stressor Yourself !!
• Directing Work, Set reasonable targets, Assist
  staff in time management
• Being critical, Constructive approach (AD)
• Managing change

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Practical Action to Manage Stress

• The Best Advices to Reduce Stress I
• Recognize potential stressors environment
• Treat symptoms of stress like any other unwelcome
  information.
• Concentrate on what to do
• Always be under-committed, reserve time for the
  unexpected.
• Only promise what you can deliver

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Practical Action to Manage Stress

• The Best Advices to Reduce Stress I
• Situation uncontrollable break it up before it
  becomes a crisis.
• Never get locked in disagreement spirals.
  Better accept you cannot win.
• If you stretch others , do so knowingly and
  anticipate the consequences.
• Take opportunity to behave rewardingly.

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Different people will find Different ways to cope
with stress

• Reduce / Avoid Stress.
• Training to Meet Stressors.
• Developing Resilience.

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Think Positive

• If we adopt a negative attitude we are much more
  likely to suffer than if we retain a sense of
  faith in our own coping ability.
• Taking positive action means you DO have a
  control about your destiny, you can fight back.
• Regaining objectivity is the key to positive
  thought and action

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More Stress Coping Techniques

• Relaxation and breathing control
• Express your emotions to mitigate stress
  (laughing, crying)
• Control your anger (discharge anger as quickly as
  possible -work out etc)
• Increase your physical fitness
• Choose sensible diet
• Get advice from professionals

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Ref 06-10-01-Deutag
Haz-ID
Title Toolpusher under stress
ZZzzzzz ???
?
If its not Safe, STOP THE JOB