THE IMPACT OF STRESS MANAGEMENT IN AN ORGANISATION

THE IMPACT OF STRESS MANAGEMENT IN AN ORGANISATION

Stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. With the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, a job promotion, or a new relationship, we experience stress as we readjust our lives. In so adjusting to different circumstances, stress will help or hinder us depending on how we react to it

What is Stress Management?
Stress management encompasses techniques intended to equip a person with effective coping mechanisms for dealing with psychological stress, with stress defined as a person's physiological response to an internal or external stimulus that triggers the fight-or-flight response. Stress management is effective when a person utilizes strategies to cope with or alter stressful situations

Techniques of stress management
There are a variety of ways of coping with stress. Some techniques of time management may help a person to control stress. In the face of high demands, effective stress management involves learning to set limits and to say "No" to some demands that others make. Techniques of stress management will vary according to the theoretical paradigm adhered to, but may include some of the following:
· Autogenic training
· Cognitive therapy
· Conflict resolution
· Exercise
· Meditation
· Progressive relaxation
· Sexual intercourse
· Stress balls
· Time management
THE IMPACT OF STRESS MANAGEMENT IN AN ORGANISATION
Stress Management has a direct benefit to employee’s well being and good health. Employers should provide a stress-free work environment, recognize where stress is becoming a problem for staff, and take action to reduce stress. Stress in the workplace reduces productivity, increases management pressures, and makes people ill in many ways, evidence of which is still increasing. Workplace stress affects the performance of the brain, including functions of work performance; memory, concentration, and learning Stress at work also provides a serious risk of litigation for all employers and organizations, carrying significant liabilities for damages, bad publicity and loss of reputation. Dealing with stress-related claims also consumes vast amounts of management time. So, there are clearly strong economic and financial reasons for organizations to manage and reduce stress at work, aside from the obvious humanitarian and ethical considerations. If you are suffering from stress yourself the stress management guidelines here are just as relevant. Stress in the workplace not only damages a business’s performance it also creates a legal duty to be treated like any other health hazard. Employers have a clear responsibility to ensure that risks from stress in the workplace are minimized.

Organizations that embark on stress management have a lot to gain; the benefits of stress management in an organization are as follows:

q Reduce sickness and absenteeism
q Increase Productivity
q Improve Performance
q Raise Morale and Creativity
q Improve Quality of Work
q Raise Energy Levels
q Increase Levels of Achievement
q Increase Efficiency
q Better health and well-being
q Feeling more positive and confident
q Being more productive and motivated
q Fewer bouts of illness, colds and being absent
q Sleeping better and being more alert
q Greater creativity
q Less irritated
q Less impacted on by commuting problems
q Managing others better

In this modern world it is difficult if not impossible to change stressful situations. What we can do however is change and reduce our exposure to those stressful situations