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 Listen
closely. That multiplying noise you hear is the sound of stress accumulating.
At this very moment all over America unattended computer modems and
fax machines are piling up work for their unsuspecting absent human
equivalents. We are uneasily greeting the dawn of a new disease: The
Stress Epidemic. The offices of stress counselors are jammed with
new clients. On the Richter scale of anxiety American workers are
suffering earthquakes. |
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How
much seismic activity are you experiencing — tremors or earthquakes?
Well, if you can't imagine how you will survive the pressure, you're
not alone. A recent survey by Northwestern National Life Insurance
Company found that: |
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- Twice as
many workers consider their jobs "highly stressful" today as they
did in 1985.
- A third
of the country's workers will become so burned-out this year that
they may need medical treatment or extra time off.
- Another
third will think seriously about leaving their jobs for what they
consider less stressful occupations.
- About one
worker in seven will actually quit to escape unmanageable job
pressure.
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Another
study conducted by St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company found
stress to be a strong factor in worker burnout, illness and lowered
performance - a costly price tag for employers. Companies ignore the
stress-related warning signs. The result: more employees are filing
mental-stress claims against their employers. In California between
30,000 and 40,000 such claims are filed each year. |
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One
employee benefits consultant sums up the increase in claims by saying
that employers avoid the "S" (stress) word. It is a vulgar disgusting
word that is not allowed to be said in the place of business. We work
harder with fewer co-workers, but employers think that if they do
not say the "S" word that their work force will be immune. These businesses
may get a wake-up call after reading a Hilton Hotels Corporation Survey:
20 percent of the 1,000 adults surveyed call in sick at least once
per year just to relax. |
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Today,
Americans sacrifice their well-being for long work hours and a hectic
pace. Experts note that stress at work leads to stress at home. Seventy
five to ninety percent of people visiting doctors suffer from stress-related
problems. |
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According
to Dr. Hans Selye, the “Father of stress,” there are positive and
negative kinds of stress. Harmful stress is called "distress." Positive
stress is called "eustress" (pronounced YU-stress). Selye says that
stress is continuous, needed, and experienced differently by every
individual. But what causes you distress may cause me eustress - much
of the response lies within the individual and not within the event. |
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Stress
is not to be avoided; it is something to be understood and managed.
We need to learn to achieve a balance with the proper level of eustress
and eliminate the negative effects of distress. Stress management
does not imply annihilation of stress, but managing stress for maximum
productivity. |
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Isn't
it a relief to know that we don't have to find a way to eliminate
stress, but just learn to manage it? |
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Ideas
to manage distress: |
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- Don't sweat
the small things.
- Reduce noise.
Avoid television for at least one hour after getting home from
work—most people are overwhelmed by noise during the day.
- Unlock your
jaw and picture yourself smiling.
- Never let
your gas tank go below 1/4.
- Do not dwell
on a project or idea—move on and come back.
- Change your
position—physically, emotionally, socially, or intellectually.
- Don't drive
fast—it takes more alertness, more readiness to respond and causes
more tension.
- Examine
your personal beliefs that result in frustration.
- Learn good
time management which includes plans for relaxing.
- Ask for
help and support.
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Robin
Thompson is a professional speaker, trainer, and the author oF "Know
Stress to No Stress". She works with organizations
that want to keep good employees and with meeting planners who want
to put some fun into their next meeting or event.
For more information she can be contacted via
e-mail: speaker@RobinThompson.com
phone: (304) 763-3222
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