Managing Stress Modified

By Charles B. (Ford) Thornhill

Subsidiary of Sunshine C0.,Ltd., Vietnam

MANAGING STRESS

• What is Stress?
– Stress is the mental or physical tension that can
result from any kind of demand on our body and
systems.
– Stress can be good for us. However, too much
stress can be destructive, so it is important that we
understand where we get stress from.


Where does stress come from?
• Stress can come from day-to-day hassles, people,
money, work, body, mind, and leisure.
• It can be developed from losing things, noise,
demands from children (spouses) or from arguments.
• It can develop over a long time or come on quickly
because of situations that need immediate attention.
• Sometimes activities we enjoy doing can cause as
much stress as those we do not enjoy.


When does stress become
dis-stress?
• Stress becomes dis-stress when we feel
an increase in tension, anxiety or
increased feelings of anger or depression.
• We may also experience many medical
problems or physical ailments.


The warning signs of stress overload are:

1. concentration problems
2. moodiness, irritability or pessimism
3. increased arguments
4. sleep problems
5. appetite change and weight gain or loss
6. change in activity levels - fidgeting, sluggish, indifferent
7. increased dependency on drugs, alcohol, nicotine or sedatives
8. susceptibility to colds and viruses
9. pain, headaches, muscle tension, stiffness
10. heart pounding, high pulse rate, change in breathing


Personal Stressors

Three things to remember:

1. Stress affects different people in different
ways.
2. We can take stress home with us.
3. We may have to make some personal
changes to deal with stress.


Some questions to ask about
personal stress:
1. Am I losing my temper too easily with my spouse or kids?
2. Am I looking for excuses to avoid spending time with my
family?
3. Am I questioning my own or my spouses drinking habits?
4. Are drugs becoming a part of my life?
5. Do I feel as if I am losing control of my life?
6. Do I find it easier to watch TV, or to be alone rather than to
be around people?
7. Do I feel overwhelmed by my problems and can't find a way
out?


Common Short Term or Early Stress
Symptoms
Physical Symptoms • Muscle aches and pains
• Skin rashes
• Headaches (tension and • Teeth grinding
migraines) • Muscle tics
• Stomach problems • Chronic mild illnesses
• Over and under eating • Sexual dysfunction
• Sleep disturbances • Diarrhoea
• Chronic mild fatigue • Constipation


Psychological Symptoms
• Forgetfulness • More use of drugs or
• Anger sleeping pills
• Frustration • Depression
• Anxiety • Feeling powerless
• More irritability with • More irritability with or
family members isolation from co-
• More use of alcohol, or workers
cigarettes • More problems at work


Common Long Term Symptoms of
Stress

Physical Conditions
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Ulcers
• Heart disease
• Infectious diseases
• Strokes
• Spastic colon

Psychological Problems
• Serious depression
• Accidents
• Domestic violence
• Suicidal behaviour
• Alcoholism
• Serious substance abuse
• Other debilitating psychological disorders


Where to Start:
• This is probably the furthest
place to start in reducing
stress.
• Today we are only focusing
on individual stress release
yours.
• However to have a more
effective program of stress
release you need to consider
a company wide program.


Managing Stress Modified

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