STRESS MANAGEMENT

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21/04/23 RNP Pre-deployment training 2

Aim

• To create a general awareness about stress in Peacekeeping environments and how to manage it in order to achieve mission goals.

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Structure of presentationDefinition of StressTypes of stressGeneral Symptoms of StressCommon Causes of Stress in

UN MissionsManagement of StressNon productive stress

managementConclusion

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What is Stress?

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• Stress is a physical and psychological process of reacting to and coping with events or situations that place extraordinary pressure upon human being.

• Such events are sudden and involve physical and emotional loss.

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Is stress +Ve or –Ve?

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• EUSTRESS– Eustress or positive stress occurs when your

level of stress is high enough to motivate you to move into action to get things accomplished.

– Enabling you to concentrate-to pay full attention

– Mobilize maximum physical energy– Prepare for action in order to respond

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• DISTRESS

– Distress or negative stress occurs when your level of stress is either too high or too low and your body and/or mind begin to respond negatively to the stressors

– Any stress that occurs too often (frequency), which lasts too long (duration), or is too severe (intensity).

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Stress Affects Stress Affects DifferentlyDifferently

Health ProductivityAttention

Attention

Action

Success

Failure

Family

Com

munity

Colleagues

Negative StressPositive

Stress

Relationship

Energy

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EXERCISE Assume you are in the mission area, one day

while patrolling; found yourself unexpectedly

witnessing dead bodies of the local population

from massive killings by the rebels:

1. What can you do to manage your physical and emotional loss in order to achieve the mission goals?

2. Whom will you talk to about your stress?

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TYPES OF STRESS

• Basic

• Cumulative

• Traumatic

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BASIC STRESS• Every person experiences basic, minor stress

in daily situations that may produce tension, frustration, irritation and anger.

• Personal qualities that may contribute to one’s reaction to stress are:Past experienceAge Philosophical approach to lifeLevel of physical fitnessLevel of education.

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CUMULATIVE STRESS

• It is the result of damage that occurs too often, last too long, and is too severe. To fulfill the mandate and act professionally, a lot of effort is required, esp. where:

You are exposed to severe, unpleasant situations in which you are helpless, for example water shortage, electricity blackout, extreme temperature, and illnesses.

You are away from home and loved ones.

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TRAUMATIC STRESS• Resulted from a single, sudden assault that

harms or threatens an individual either physically or psychologically.

• Traumatic situation to a peacekeeper:Being powerless spectator of violence,

murder, large-scale massacres, etc.Experiencing the bombing of buildings and

mining of roadsWitnessing large scale destruction.

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General Symptoms of stress:

1. Physical signs

2. Behavioral signs

3. Emotional signs

4. Mental signs

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Physical signs

• Faster heart beat

• Headaches

• Rapid breathing

• Dry mouth

• Sleeplessness

• Sweating, etc

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Behavioral signs• Increased alcohol intake• Personality change• Loss of confidence• Discipline problems• Short temper rudeness• Being aggressive or violent• Loss of sexual interest or excessive sex drive• Over eating or not eating,• Making more mistakes,• Being more forgetful, etc.

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Emotional signs• Anxiety(nervousness/confused)

• Sadness

• Feeling of worthless, nervousness

• Irritability, anger, emotional outbursts, being close to tears all the time.

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Mental signs

• Lack of concentration, mind going blank

• Difficult in making decisions

• Confusion• Sharpened alertness

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Common Causes of Stress in PKG Missions

• Severe and unpleasant situations.• Food and drink• Home sickness.• Cultural shock.• Being powerless watcher of violence.• Direct or indirect intimidation and attacks.• General security threats; mines, hijacks &

sniper fire.• Long working hours without rest.

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Cont...• Death of a relative, friend, co-worker

• Hearing first hand report of ill-treatment and torture

• Dangerous working conditions

• Witnessing casualties

• Geographical difficulties (weather or terrain)

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EDUCATION TO THE OFFICERS• Stress is sometimes referred to as the

‘silent killer’, we are often unaware of its effects and often don’t even realize we’re under stress until it’s too late.

• Stress is a part of life; but, too much stress is a partner of death or can cause premature aging.

• Instead of avoiding stress, we need to learn how to deal with it in the best way possible

• Training is important to recognize and manage it to avoid serious effects.

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TECHNIQUES FOR COPING WITH STRESS

• Collect and provide for all items that would be needed in the mission area.

• Do not assume that you will find whatever you want in the mission area.

• UN DPKO gives peacekeepers a luggage allowance of up to 100kg. Take the opportunity to bring those things that will make you feel more relaxed or at home.

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REDUCING STRESS IN THE MISSION AREA

• Encourage the use humour

• Engage yourself in meaningful physical activities and recreation.

• Consider a holiday at home or at a recreational area outside the mission area.

• Encouraging in peer sharing and team building.

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REDUCING POST-MISSION STRESS

• Understand and accept that post-trauma reactions are normal.

• Be patient because adjusting physically and mentally can take a long time

• Have more rest and sleep than usual…• Seeking help from others, including

trained personnel or counselors• Rely on your faith.

Non-productive stress management

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SUMMARY• What is Stress?• Symptoms of Stress• Common Causes of Stress in UN

Missions• How can you manage your Stress?

…positive stress!

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CONCLUSION Stress is normal. All peacekeepers should be familiar with

the symptoms of stress and know how to cope with the effects to achieve the mission goals.

Team building can help you put in place stress management mechanisms to resolve personal and professional conflicts.

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