Professional stress can be managed by focusing on controlling individual environments, using team environments to collectively reduce stress, and acknowledging larger environments that are beyond one's control. The authors describe how their university handles stress through organized social events at busy and less busy times of year, as well as personal coping strategies like exercise, music, routines, planning ahead, and taking breaks.

1. How to Survive and
Thrive in Times of
Professional Stress
Rachel Nemets
Margaret Garry
Texas State University

2. We create
student
environments.

3. How do you
create
student
environments
in your
current role?

4. Let’s talk about stress, baby.

5. Layers of Environment
Larger University Environment (Not Much Control)
Team Environment (potential for collective control)
Individual Environment (you control this)

6. What aspects
of your
environment
can you
control?

7. How PACE Handles Stress
• Spirit Week when registration opens
• NSO Yoga and River Days
• Potluck celebrations at less busy times
• Cinco de Mayo
• Thanksgiving
• Outreach to other colleges and units
• Halloween Party and Costume Contest
• Chili Cookoff

8. How does your team respond to
stress?
What could you do to respond to
stress together?

9. How We Respond to
Stress
Rachel:
• Exercise
• Music
• Establish a routine
Margaret:
• Plan ahead for non-
stressful times
• Use breaks and lunch
for quiet time