Dealing with StressDealing with Stress...can’t live with it; can’t live without ...can’t live with it; can’t live without

it.it.

Stress: a DefinitionStress: a Definition

Stress is the uncontrollable urge to Stress is the uncontrollable urge to choke the living daylights out of choke the living daylights out of

some jerk who doesn’t realize how some jerk who doesn’t realize how much he is ticking me off.much he is ticking me off.

Your Definition of Stress:Your Definition of Stress:

We know we’re stressed when:We know we’re stressed when:

We’re constantly tired;We’re constantly tired; We’re constantly thinking of work;We’re constantly thinking of work; We’re constantly complaining;We’re constantly complaining; We’re no longer fun to be with;We’re no longer fun to be with; We lose our temper easily;We lose our temper easily; We spend more hours doing less work.We spend more hours doing less work.

There’s good stress & bad stress:There’s good stress & bad stress:

Good:Good:– Keeps us alertKeeps us alert

– Keeps our edgeKeeps our edge

– Keeps us interestedKeeps us interested

– Keeps us focusedKeeps us focused

– Keeps us energizedKeeps us energized

Bad:Bad:– Distracts usDistracts us

– Dissipates our talentsDissipates our talents

– Brings on boredomBrings on boredom

– Dissipates our energyDissipates our energy

– Exhausts usExhausts us

Stressors can work independentlyStressors can work independently

Environmental: “Open Door” Building/Office Set-up

Interpersonal: conflict mistrust lack of support poor communication

Organizational: role conflict role ambiguity work overload Organizational structure

Private Life: family finances personal time health pressure from friends

Personal: type A intrapersonal conflict heredity

How do we know we are How do we know we are stressed?stressed?

Physical problems:Physical problems:– fatiguefatigue– insomniainsomnia– frequent headachesfrequent headaches– weight loss/gainweight loss/gain– gastrointestinal problemsgastrointestinal problems– more serious physical problemsmore serious physical problems

How do we know we are How do we know we are stressed?stressed?

Behavioral ProblemsBehavioral Problems– mood swingsmood swings– irritabilityirritability– loss of caring for othersloss of caring for others– lack of a feeling of controllack of a feeling of control– addictive behavioraddictive behavior

Coping….Coping….

Watch your attitudeWatch your attitude Think positivelyThink positively Think rationallyThink rationally Practice mind controlPractice mind control Analyze goals and prioritiesAnalyze goals and priorities Prioritize your activitiesPrioritize your activities Set achievable goalsSet achievable goals

Coping….Coping….

Recognize your limitsRecognize your limits Organize your lifeOrganize your life Be flexibleBe flexible Recognize uncertainty of lifeRecognize uncertainty of life Organize each dayOrganize each day Budget your timeBudget your time Pace yourselfPace yourself

Diminishing StressDiminishing Stress

Recognize the sourceRecognize the source Avoid negative peopleAvoid negative people Develop nurturing relationshipsDevelop nurturing relationships Be honest about your feelingsBe honest about your feelings Learn to say “No”Learn to say “No” Keep physically fit; take a breakKeep physically fit; take a break Ask for helpAsk for help

Recognize Common ErrorsRecognize Common Errors

Illusion of courtesyIllusion of courtesy Image of availabilityImage of availability Low value of one’s own timeLow value of one’s own time Desire to be helpful, needed, lovedDesire to be helpful, needed, loved Desire for esteemDesire for esteem Desire to be superman/womanDesire to be superman/woman Not choosing the “hill to die on”Not choosing the “hill to die on”

REMEMBER: Stress is an REMEMBER: Stress is an INDIVIDUAL matterINDIVIDUAL matter

THE MOST IMPORTANT THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR: A POSITIVE FACTOR: A POSITIVE

OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND WORKWORK

Be Convinced:Be Convinced:

We cannot get rid of stress, but we We cannot get rid of stress, but we can manage it, and we can prevent it can manage it, and we can prevent it

from becoming “burnout”. from becoming “burnout”.

Are you becoming “burned out”?Are you becoming “burned out”?

Experiencing increased fatigue/lack of energy?Experiencing increased fatigue/lack of energy? Feel as though you’re working harder and Feel as though you’re working harder and

accomplishing less?accomplishing less? Disenchanted and critical about your work?Disenchanted and critical about your work? Too busy for family and friends?Too busy for family and friends? Feel trapped?Feel trapped? Easily irritated?Easily irritated? Life is overwhelming?Life is overwhelming?

MANAGE YOUR STRESSMANAGE YOUR STRESS

ExerciseExercise Take a mental health day/even lunch outTake a mental health day/even lunch out Relax, keep a good balanceRelax, keep a good balance Keep a stress diary, journalKeep a stress diary, journal Organize and prioritizeOrganize and prioritize DelegateDelegate Watch smoking, alcohol consumptionWatch smoking, alcohol consumption LaughLaugh

Ask yourself:Ask yourself:

What’s important? What do I really need to What’s important? What do I really need to do today?do today?

What can I leave till the end of the day?What can I leave till the end of the day? To whom can I delegate this task?To whom can I delegate this task? How can I step away from the day?How can I step away from the day? What can I give up?What can I give up? What rituals can I re-develop?What rituals can I re-develop?

A Prayer to Manage StressA Prayer to Manage Stress

The Lord is my pace-setter; I shall not rushHe makes me stop for quiet intervalsHe provides me with images of stillness to restore my serenityHe leads me in the ways of efficiency through

calmness of mind and guidance to peace.Even though I have a great many things to accomplish

each day,I will not fret ,for His presence is here.His timelessness, His all-importance will keep me in balance.He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with His oil of tranquility.My cup of joyous energy overflows. Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours and I shall walk in the pace of the Lord.