STRESS MANAGEMENT

What is Stress?

“A stressful situation is one you cannot cope successfully with, or believe you cannot

cope with successfully, resulting in unwanted physical, mental or emotional

reactions.”

Types of Stress

Eustress Distress(Good Stress) (Bad Stress)

Causes of Stress

• Burden of Expectations• Responsibilities• Demand for Monetary/Professional

Success• Work Conditions• Competition• Peer Pressure• Job Hunt• Traffic• Extreme Weather

• Overwork/Underwork• Terrorism • Death• Brands War• Uncertainty• Family Issues• Financial Issues• Cultural Issues

Physical and mental symptoms

Physical Mental

Emotional Behavioral

• Headaches• Throbbing heart• Tiredness• Vague aches or pains• Excessive sweating• Frequent colds, flu etc

• Indecision and muddled thinking

• Loss of concentration and worrying

• Less sensitive• Persistent negative thoughts

• Irritability• More gloomy, depressed• Drained, no enthusiasm• Cynical• Loss of confidence• De-motivated• Job dissatisfaction

• Unsociability• Restlessness• Loss of appetite or

overeating• Disturbed sleep• Taking work home more• Low productivity• Poor time management

5 Steps to Stress Management

1. Identify if you are stressed

Signs of stress vary from person to person

2. Identify the stressor

Social, Financial, Life Events etc.

3. Identify the reason for the stressor

Careful evaluation of demands and resources

• Address symptoms of stress• Address stressors

4. Select appropriate stress management strategy

5. Evaluate

Dealing with Stress

Internal communication needs to be really strong

Pray and strengthen your relationship with God

Find your talent (may be singing, painting, poetry)

Help others in any way you can

Find a friend for co-counseling

Read good books and write diary

Relaxing Exercises

Eat healthy

Cleaning up

Cognitive Approach:When the dangers are imagined, the most

effective way is to change the way you think about the situation

Positive perspective on life