STRESS MANAGEMENT

BYROCHELLE LIGHTBOURN

WHAT IS STRESS?

The body’s inability to effectively manage/deal with any given situation whether it is positive or negative

It is your reaction to any stimulus that YOU cannot deal with

STRESSORS

The things that create stress for us are called stressors

Stressors can be either positive or negative

The Stressor Continuum

Stress begins in our mind Then it effects our emotions And in turn produces some sort of Physical Behavioural Spiritual Response

POSITIVE STRESSORS

This list can go on and on: Marriage A new house A new car Winning the lotto A promotion A new baby

NEGATIVE STRESSORS

Again, there are many negative stressors

A poor attitude Being in a toxic environment, around

toxic people Loss/any loss Role overload/confusion Too many bills, too little money

EUSTRESS

Believe it or not stress is essential to life.

There is that stress that is good for us, it is called Eustress, it actually gets us out of bed in the morning, it helps us to improve performance and to get things done.

DISTRESS

The stress that presents problems is what we will focus on today.

It is called Distress

INTERNAL STRESSORS

In many instances we have conflict with ourselves.

Many of us are trying to be like every body else and in the process are losing ourselves

Take of the mask Will the REAL YOU, PLEASE STAND UP

SELF PERCEPTION

90% of perception is Reality. Some of us stand as peacocks butAre only punched drunk chickens

THAT’S LIFE

In most instances we deal with 40-50 stressors every day and because we are so used to dealing with them, we ignore them. This creates problems for us later.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT

Initially everybody reacts to stress the same way, the body goes into the FIGHT/FLIGHT MODE

MANIFESTATIONS OF STRESS

However long term manifestations are seen in the following ways:

Physically Mentally Emotionally Behaviourally Spiritually

PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS

Hair loss Skin breakouts Constipation/Diarrhea Muscle Tension Headaches/Insomnia Menstrual issues/Impotency

MENTAL MANIFESTATIONS

Forgetfulness/short term/long term memory

Racing thoughts Indeciveness Negativity Inability to retain anxiety

EMOTIONAL MANIFESTATIONS

Fear Easily agitated/Panic Questions ability Excessive Worrying The cycle of:

Pain Anger Rage

BEHAVIOURAL MANIFESTATIONS

We see introverts becoming extroverts The passive become aggressive Inappropriate behaviours Exhibits Negativity and negative Self

Talk Abuse of things, people and self

SPIRITUAL MANAIFESTATIONS

Religiousity Lack of relationship with God Alternative religions Bargaining with God Becoming a God unto ourselves

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ORGANIZATIONS?

People are secondary, especially in technical environments like ours

People are more uncaring, it is a cut throat world

There is a lot of hurt and pain in the workplace and no-one is addressing it

People are spread to thin, through this concept of being multi-faceted

CORPORATE NECESSATIES

the lap top The cell phone The blackberries The smart phones The internet The intranet 24/7 communication

THE TOXIC 21st CENTURY ORGANIZATION

Most 21st century organizations are TOXIC and are spreading the deadly viruses of:

Dishonesty Deceit Lying Cheating Backbiting Manipulating

ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ADD TO OUR STRESS LEVELS

HOW DO WE COPE?PRAY

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I cannot accept and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those I had to kill today because they got on my last nerves.

PRAYER cont.

Also help me to be careful of the toes I step on today, as they may be connected to the feet I have to kiss tomorrow

PRAYER cont.

Help me to always work 100% 12% on Monday 23% on Tuesday 40% on Wednesday 20% on Thursday 5% on Friday

PRAYER cont.

Finally, God, help me remember……. When I’m having a bad day and it

seems that people are trying to wind me up, that it takes 42 muscles to frown

PRAYER cont.

28 muscles to smile,

PRAYER cont.

And only 4 muscles to extend my arm and smack them in the mouth

HOW TO COPE

Recognize that some things are out of your control, especially people

Affirm yourself and trigger positive images

Get a sense of humor Listen to music/pamper yourself Go to the beach DUMP THE GARBAGE TALK to a friend, a professional, GOD

COPING cont.

Develop a positive attitude Learn to accept the things you cannot

change Grieve losses but move on Focus energy on what is in your control Avoid the chemical haze Balance work & play Listen to your body Find time to celebrate

COPING AT WORK

Try to seek employment that matches your gift, it’s not to late

Go with a positive attitude Clarify your responsibilities to avoid

overload Say what you mean and mean what you say Do things decent and in order REMEMBER your most important

resources are PEOPLE, take care of them and they will take care of you

COPING WITH SELF

Be honest with yourself Connect to your source/God Transform your mind/outlook/attitude Believe in yourself Introspect often and adjust Be at peace with you Know who you really are

COPING WITH SELF cont.

Seek professional help if needed Be a value adder Be open to change Seek holistic growth Develop yourself Ensure you surround yourself with

positive people CUT TOXIC TIES

HOW STRESSED ARE YOU?

How many transitions have you made in your life?

HOW MANY ROLES ARE YOU PLAYING?

MISS OWLMISS OWL

MS. ALWAYS

RIGHT

MS. ALWAYS

RIGHT

MRS. KNOW IT ALL

MRS. KNOW IT ALL

MR.CLOWN

MR.CLOWN

MR. MAKEAN

IMPRESSION

MR. MAKEAN

IMPRESSION

MR.PEACOCK

MR.PEACOCK

MR.I HAVE IT

TOGETHER

MR.I HAVE IT

TOGETHERMS.I CAN DO

EVERYTHING

MS.I CAN DO

EVERYTHING

I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE

I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE

FACTS ABOUT STRESS

68% of American Workers feel burned put40% of job turnover is stress related40% suffer adverse health effects because of

stress75% -90% of all doctor visits are stress

relatedStress is linked to the leading causes of deathOver $8 billion dollars is spent annually on

anti-depressants

STOP AND RELAX