Stress can be both good and bad. While stress can motivate people to achieve more, excessive stress takes a toll physically and mentally. The article discusses signs that stress may be getting out of hand, such as making mistakes at work or fighting with friends and family. It recommends recognizing when stress levels are too high and seeking help through resources like the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control or Military OneSource, to avoid stress-related illness. Leaders should learn to identify potential stress issues in their Sailors to ensure health and readiness.

1. April 2011
Good Stress and Bad
What’s the issue? What’s the solution?
We all face stress, and we all deal with it. It can It is important to learn to recognize when stress
bring out the best is us—but it can also be de- starts getting out of hand, both for yourself and for
structive. the people you work with and care about. Not every
source of stress or painful event has an easy solution,
What’s going on? but sorting them out and getting perspective is a good
starting point.
Your work center’s tasking is growing, but the
deadlines stay the same. The PRT is next week, Another thing to recognize is that you’re probably go-
but you’ve been spending more time playing “Call ing to hear, “Hey, man, just suck it up!” a few times.
of Duty” than hitting the treadmill. Advancement “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” These attitudes
exams are coming up, but you haven’t had time to do can add to the problem by allowing underlying prob-
much studying and you’ve heard they’re hard. lems to get worse. Stress injuries need treatment just
like physical injuries.
The result: Stress. Most of the time, most people
hack it. They find some extra energy, hustle, set Resources are available—through your chain of com-
priorities and focus. Sometimes they achieve things mand, chaplain, on-line resources or medical provid-
they didn’t think were possible (although maybe ers. The main goal is to avoid what is now recognized
their LPO or chief or coach did). as a “stress illness”: when a Sailor can no longer
function well and needs medical attention to heal and
But stress can become excessive. Instead of doing return to full duty.
more and better at work, they make mistakes or don’t
even feel like trying. They fight with their friends Two excellent resources provide information to sup-
and family. They pack on pounds. Maybe they can’t port service members, leaders, families and health
sleep or they don’t want to get up at all. providers:

2. • The Naval Center for Combat and Opera- look for so that they can identify potential stress-
tional Stress Control’s website (www.med. related problems early and get their Sailors and
navy.mil/sites/nmcsd/nccosc/). family members the right help.
• The Navy OSC Blog (www.NavyNavStress.
com). Another handy website is Military OneSource
(http://www.militaryonesource.com/), a free ser-
The Navy’s Operational Stress Control (OSC) vice offering help with such things as school, re-
program helps Sailors recover from and adjust to location, parenting and stress. Available by phone
life in the face of stress, adversity or trauma. These or online, the service is free and confidential.
sites provide tools to help leaders know what to
DISCUSSION ITEMS/ OPEN QUESTIONS
1. What are some examples of positive stress that you have experienced
recently?
2. What are examples of negative kinds of stress that you have felt in your
daily life?
3. Would you feel comfortable seeking help if you felt that your stress was
getting out of hand? Who would you talk to?
4. What would you do if a shipmate or loved one seemed to be over-
stressed?
BY DEREK NELSON, HEAD MEDIA DIVISION
Supervisors: Use this page to guide safety discussions with your personnel
Send your feedback to: safe-mediafdbk@navy.mil
(you can also sign up to receive this resource by email)