Stress
Management |
Stress occurs when pressure
exceeds a person’s
own perceived ability to cope. It has overtaken the common
cold as a major reason for absence from work. |
| Research shows
that there is a physiological difference between challenge
and stress
. A
person experiencing stress has higher levels of the various stress
hormones in their bloodstream than a person who feels challenged. |
| How much are we directly responsible for our own levels of
stress, and how do our perceptions of events or thinking style
and attitudes contribute to stress levels? |
| A frequently used model
of stress is
illustrated by a number of stages: |
|
A life event or external pressure
including redundancy, bereavement, illness |
|
If this
event is perceived as stressful this triggers a stress
response. If a person believes that he or she has the ability
to deal with the demand, the situation is perceived as
challenging and not stressful. |
|
Three
responses to stress are activated: psychological,
behavioural and physiological.
The physiological response includes the release of stress
hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline which prepare
the heart, lungs and major muscle groups for action – for
either fight or flight. Fats and sugars are also released
into the blood to provide energy. |
|
| Stress management helps
people examine stress-inducing thinking, and apply problem-solving
thinking skills to most situations with the help of psychological
techniques and strategies. |
| Stress management counselling can
help a person to become literally his or her own self-coach.
Counselling first helps identify the problem then, using questioning
techniques, teaches people to challenge their own stress-inducing
ideas. |
| Counselling helps
develop a personal action plan using three components: |
|
Psychological, using thinking
and imagery skills |
|
Behavioural looking at social support,
assertiveness and time management |
|
Physical
health incorporating exercise, nutrition and relaxation. |
|
