Stress is caused by stressors that initiate a stress response controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Acute stress from short term challenges can be constructive, while chronic stress from extreme long term stress leads to dysfunction. Sources of stress include biological, chemical, microbial, psychological, developmental, socio-cultural, and environmental factors. Stress at work affects about 1/3 of workers and can be caused by large workloads, long hours, organizational changes, and interpersonal conflicts. Workplace interventions aim to reduce stressors through primary, secondary, and tertiary measures. Stress has adverse impacts on mental health and increases risks for anxiety, depression, and other health issues.

1. STRESS
RUVIMBO TAGWIREYI AND LOYCE FADZAI MUSIIWA

2. • STRESS- REACTION / STIMULUS THAT INVOLVES A STRESSOR AND STRESS
RESPONSE
• STRESSOR – PERCEIVED STIMULUS THAT INITIATES A RESPONSE
• STRESS RESPONSE- CONTROLLED BY THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

3. WHAT CAUSES STRESS ?
• SHIFT FROM RELAXED TO TENSE ATMOSPHERE IN SECONDS
• BRAIN REACTS TO THE CHALLENGE WITH ADAPTIVE AND TRANSIENT STRESS
THAT IS CONSTRUCTIVE
• THIS IS ACUTE STRESS

4. • IF UNDER EXTREMELY HIGH STRESS , THE UNCONSCIOUS BRAIN LOSES
RESILIENCE WHICH LEADS TO DYSFUNCTION OF THE ADAPTION ,
CAUSING NEGATIVE RESPONSE
• THIS IS CHRONIC STRESS

6. SOURCES OF STRESS
• BIOLOGICAL –ILLNESS , INTENSE MUSCLE ACTIVITY
• CHEMICALS-MEDICATTIONS , TOXIC SUBSTANCES
• MICROBIAL- VIRUS , BACTERIA
• PSYCHOLOGICAL- UNPLEASANT EVENTS
• DEVELOPMENTAL-PREMATURE BIRTH
• SOCIO-CULTURAL-RELOCATION , RELATIONSHIPS
• ENVIRONMENTAL-AIR POLLUTION

7. FACTORS CLASSIFICATIONS
• INTERNAL –GENERATED WITHIN A PERSON I.E CANCER
• EXTERNAL- GENERATED OUTSIDE I.E DEATH OF A LOVED ONE
• DEVELOPMENTAL-PREDICTABLE
• CIRCUMSTANTIAL- UNPREDICTABLE

8. MODELS
• HELPS IDENTIFY STRESSORS AND PREDICT POSSIBILITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S
ADAPTION
• INTERPRETS STRESS DIFFERENTLY

9. STIMULUS BASED MODEL
• HOLMES’ MODEL
• INTEPRETED STRESS AS A STIMULUS , A LIFE EVENT WHICH MAY AWAKEN
NORMAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS WHICH MAY INCREASE ONE’S
VULNERABILITY
• BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EVENTS CAN BE STRESSFUL

10. RESPONSE BASED
• SEYLE’S MODEL
• DEFINED STRESS TO BE A RESPONSE OF THE BODY TO ANY KIND OF DEMAND
APPLIED .
• GAS(GENERAL ADAPTION SYNDROME ) AND LAS
• BODY RELEASES CERTAIN HORMONES WHICH CAUSES CHANGES IN STRUCTURE
AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BODY

11. TRANSACTION BASED
• LAZARUS THEORY
• USES COGNITIVE EVALUATION THEORY AND FOCUSES ON THE INDIVIDUAL ,
ENVIRONMENT AND SIMULTANEOUS COGNITIVE EVALUATION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS AND STIMULUS RESPONSE OPTIONS
• ALLUDES THAT PEOPLE DIFFER IN SENSITIVITY AND VULNERABILITY
• BELIEVES NONE OF THE THEORIES EXPLAIN WHICH FACTORS MAY LEAD SOME
PEOPLE TO MANAGE STRESS PROPERLY

12. STRESS IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
• WORK STRESS IS A SILENT, OFTEN NEGLECTED KILLER
• AFFECTS ABOUT 1/3 OF WORKERS ACCORDING TO THE EU.
• COULD BE A RESULT OF PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS

13. SOURCES OF STRESS AT WORK
• LARGE WORKLOAD
• LONG HOURS
• CHANGES WITHIN THE ORGANISATION
• JOB INSECURITY
• INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT

14. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF STRESS AT WORK
• INSOMNIA
• IRRITABILITY AND AGGRESSION
• LOW PRODUCTIVITY
• BEING ACCIDENT PRONE
• REGULAR ABSENTISM

15. WAYS TO HANDLE STRESS AT WORK
• UNDERSTAND EXPECTATIONS
• BE COMFORTABLE
• OVERCOME DESIRE FOR PERFECTIONISM
• TAKE BREAKS
• AVOID CONFLICT

16. WORKPLACE INTERVENTION FOR STRESS
• THESE ARE MEASURE TAKEN TO REMOVE, REDUCE AND COPE WITH STRESSORS
AND STRESS AT WORK.
• CAN BE PRIMARY, SECONDARY OR TERTIARY.

17. PRIMARY
• PROACTIVE MEASURE TO REMOVE/REDUCE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL
STRESSORS.
• PREVENTATIVE IN NATURE. SOME EXAMPLES ARE;
1. REDESIGN THE WORKPLACE
2. PROVIDE BREAKS
3. INCREASE EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING
4. ELIMINATE PHYSICAL HAZARDS
5. ESTABLISH CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO OCCUPATIONAL
HAZARDS

18. SECONDARY
• CORRECTIVE MEASURES TO DETECT EARLY SYMPTOMS AND IMPROVE COPING
MECHANISMS
1. EMPLOYEE EDUCATION ON STRESS
2. ROUTINE MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE FOR STRESS INDICATORS SUCH AS BLOOD
PRESSURE.

19. TERTIARY
• THESE ARE CONTROL MEASURES FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALREADY
EXPERIENCING IT.
• AIMS TO PROVIDE TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION PLANS.
1. MEDICAL CARE
2. RETURN TO WORK PLANS->REDESIGN OF WORKPLACE

20. IMPACT OF STRESS ON HEALTH
STRESS HAS ADVERSE EFFECTS ESPECIALLY ON MENTAL HEALTH.
• INCREASED RISKOF ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACKS DEPRESSION, BURNOUT AND FEELINGS
OF DISTRESS
• MEMORY PROBLEMS
• LOSS IN CONCENTRATION
• FEELING OVERWHELMED
• SENSE OF LONELINESS OR ISOLATION(DETACHMENT)
• NERVOUS HABITS
• SUBSTANCE ABUSE

21. IMPACT ON HEALTH ON OTHER BODY
SYSTEMS
• INCREASED RISK OF HEART ATTACKS
• INCREASED RISK OF DIABETES
• HEARTBURN OR ACID REFLUX
• CHANGE IN EATING HABITS
• ALTERED DIGESTION LEADING TO DIARRHOEA OR CONSTIPATION
• DECREASED LIBIDO, ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION, DECREASED FERTILITY
• IRREGULAR/ABSENT MENSES, HOT FLUSHES
• MUSCLE ACHES AND PAINS
• WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM
• ACNE/ECZEMA