1. S tre s s
By Gustavo Pérez

2. Stress is a common problem that
affects almost all of us at some
point in our lives. This presentation
provides you with some basic
information on stress and some
simple recommendations for
dealing with stress..

3. What is stress?
 Stress is your body's way of responding to any
kind of demand. It can be caused by both good
and bad experiences. When people feel stressed
by something going on around them, their
bodies react by releasing chemicals into the
blood. These chemicals give people more energy
and strength, which can be a good thing if their
stress is caused by physical danger.

4. WHAT CAUSES STRESS?
 LIFE EVENTS SUCH AS DIVORCE OR SEPARATION,
DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, THE BIRTH OF A CHILD,
MOVING, A MAJOR FINANCIAL SETBACK, EMPLOYMENT
CHANGES OR BECOMING THE VICTIM OF A CRIME OR
NATURAL DISASTER.
 DAILY EVENTS SUCH AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION, LONG
COMMUTES, WORKING OVERTIME, DEADLINES,
PERSONAL CONFLICTS, CAR TROUBLE, JOB STRESS,
 ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS SUCH AS POLLUTION,
WEATHER EXTREMES OR EXCESSIVE NOISE.

5. SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
• Behavioral symptoms
• Physical symptoms

6. BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS
 TOO MUCH SLEEP (HYPERSOMNIA) OR TOO LITTLE SLEEP
(INSOMNIA)
 NIGHTMARES
 NERVOUS HABITS LIKE NAIL-BITING OR FOOT-TAPPING
 DECREASED SEX DRIVE
 TEETH GRINDING
 IRRITABILITY OR IMPATIENCE
 CRYING OVER MINOR INCIDENTS
 DREADING GOING TO WORK OR OTHER ACTIVITIES

7. PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
 MIGRAINE OR TENSION HEADACHES
 DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS LIKE HEARTBURN OR DIARRHEA
 SHALLOW BREATHING OR SIGHING
 COLD OR SWEATY PALMS
 JAW PAIN, NECK PAIN, SHOULDER PAIN

8. Signs of Stress in the Workplace
 Stress Arousal Stage  Stress Resistance Stage
 Persistent irritability and
 Absenteeism or tardiness
for work
anxiety  Tired and fatigued for no
 Bruxism and/or Insomnia reason
 Occasional forgetfulness  Procrastination and
and/or inability to indecision
concentrate
 Social withdrawal with
cynicism
 Resentful, indifferent,
defiant
 Increased use of coffee,
alcohol, tobacco, etc.

9. Jobs and stress
There are four main causes:
 Environmental (noise, overcrowding, open plan
offices, for child care facilities, for instance):
 Contractual (low pay, shift work, excessive
overtime, job insecurity);
 Job designed (boring work, too much/little work,
lack of job control):
 Relationships (poor relations with colleagues,
lack of communication, impersonal treatment).

10. What activities or things could help
people to relax?
• Listening to music
• Playing with a pet
• Laughing or crying
• Going out with a friend (shopping, movie, dining)
• Writing, painting, or other creative activity
• Praying or going to church
• Exercising or getting outdoors to enjoy nature
• Gardening or making home repairs
• Practicing deep breathing, meditation, or muscle
relaxation

11. Stress is inevitable, but it doesn't have to make you
tense, irritable, upset, and unhappy. You have the choice
to GET BETTER or BITTER. Be productive, GET BETTER!
Make the commitment to manage stress and enhance
your health and happiness.
Relax, Tell yourself that you can not control everything
around you. Sometimes we just have to be a little more
tolerable as long as we are in no physical danger.