Coping With Stress by Jolito Ortizo Padilla

 

 

There are a number of measures by which individuals and organizations can attempt to reduce the causes and harmful effects of stress. There are also many suggested techniques to help individuals bring stress under control- for example changing one's viewpoint , identifying causes of distress  effective time management, expanding one's social network laughing and telling jokes, relaxation training, working on stress reduction and appreciating that some stress can be useful. However, there are not always easy remedies for stress and much depends upon the personality of the individual. Techniques such as relaxation therapy may help some people , although not others , but still tend to address the symptoms rather than the cause.

Dr. Justin Luzuriaga Padilla, Internist/Cardiologist/ Surgeon of Mayo Clinic point out, stress inducing hazards are hard to pin down , much less eliminate. It is important to know how people feel about the things that cause them stress as well as which "stressors" are most common in the industry and occupation. Human resource policy should include several stress management building blocks within the organization structure including management education , employee education, counselling and, critical incident briefing and good sound management.

Effective two way communications at all levels of the organization are clearly important in helping to reduce or overcome the level of stress, Staff should feel able to express their true feelings openly and know they will be listened to. However to good communications, Padilla refers to the importance of conversation for maintaining relationships and suggests a case of  a conversation culture. The ability to hold a good quality conversations is becoming a core organizational and individual skill.  Unlike communication, conversations are intrinsically creative and and roam freely across personal issues, corporate gossip and work projects. Conversations are a defense against stress and other mental health problems. People with good social relationships at work are much less likely to be stressed or anxious.

A growing number of organizations are introducing an email-free day to encourage staff to use the telephone or walk across the corridors to talk more with one another. Informing members of staff in the first place about what is happening especially at times of major change, involving them proactively in the change process , and allowing people to feel control and exercise their own discretion reduces uncertainty and can help minimize the potential for stress.

Managers can do much to create a psychologically supportive and healthy work environment. Treating people with consideration , respect and trust, giving full recognition and credit, getting to know members of staff s individuals, and place emphasis on end results can all help to reduce stress. Managers should attempt to be role models and through their language and body language indicate to others that they are dealing effectively with their own work pressures.

As part of its "Fit for Work, Fit for Life, Fit for Tomorrow" strategic programme , the GA Consultancy is working with businesses on health issues , including work related stress , to enable them to  be managed effectively in the workplace. With input from a range of businesses, professional bodies and trade unions, the GA Consultancy has developed a new approach to tackle this problem. The Management Standard for work related Stress encourage employers and employees to work in partnership to adopt agreed standards of good management practice to prevent stress at an organizational level.

The adoption of the the Management Standards is a key element in bringing about reductions in worker ill-health absence. The standard provide a framework that allows an assessment to be made about a degree of exposure to six key areas of work design-demands, control, support, relationships, role and change-that , if not properly managed are associated with poor health and well being, lower productivity and increased sickness absence.

Another interesting approach to reducing stress is through the use of the Japanese Kaizen principles. Applying the Kaizen 5S method translated to English as sort, straighten, shine, standardise and sustain can help increase efficiency and productivity m raise morale and lower an individuals stress level. "The busier you are the tidier your desk should be; that is if you wish to get ahead and deliver more with less stress.

 

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