Managing Stress in the Workplace

there is a tutorial available, from Bob the Teacher. Better check this out.



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Studies have found that continual workplace stress can lead to such health problems as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Findings have shown that the higher the level of stress a person has to endure during the course of a day, the chances of devolping metabolic syndrome increased.

This is significant because most people spend at least 8 to 10 hours in the workplace every weekday. According to a survey of 800,000 workers in over 300 companies, the number of employees calling in sick because of stress tripled from 1996 to 2000.

An estimated 1 million workers are absent every day due to stress. Sixty-two percent routinely find that they end the day with work-related neck pain, 44% reported stressed-out eyes, 38% complained of hurting hands and 34% reported difficulty in sleeping because they were too stressed-out.

Getting a handle on this workplace stress can lead to a much healthier (and happier) life.

Trying to be productive and/or creative when stressed is a difficult task. Workplace stress often leads to burnout. Motivation is lost which can lead to bigger workloads for yourself which, in turn, leads to more stress.

If you work with a team, your lack of output may cause unnecessary tension and may lead to complaints and, moreover, reprimands.

One study states that about 40% of employees said that they lose 1 hour or more per day in productivity due to stress while another states that, countrywide, $300 billion a year is lost in productivity due to stress.

Getting a grasp on workplace stress can promote a much healthier work environment.

Of course it is possible. I have used HeartMath with my Anger Management and Domestic Violence clients for seven years, almost as long as the technology has been around, and it works.

My clients are amazed to see real time feedback about how their thoughts impact their physiology.

You are sitting at your computer, hooked up to it by a finger sensor.

Imagine sitting back and imagining the crocus emerging from the snow in the spring time (we are currently buried under 18 inches of snow) and the warm breezes of spring which will soon follow, and note how you are feeling.

Since that is a personal example, I will tell you I feel relieved and excited when I think of the bulbs I got planted last fall emerging through the snow.

Then think about your last natural gas bill of the year, from the coldest month of the year, and note the change in feelings.

That change in physiology happens in 1/18th second, and as fast as I change my thought, from beauty to stress and back to beauty, my physiology follows.

The computer will report that to me with visual and auditory feedback, and as I practice (I have had very few clients take more than 15 1/2 hour practices) I can begin to use the "crocus emerging" thought to train my heart to change to relaxation whenever I have the thought. No more computer needed. Stress management heart beat by heart beat.

First, you need to sit down and think of what's causing you to be stressed. Is it another employee? Too much to do and not enough time to do it? Not enough pay?

Most importantly, be honest with yourself. Is it work that's really stressing you out, or are you stressing yourself out?

Second, you need to figure out if what's causing you to be stressed can be changed - or is impossible to be changed? Take your time and truly explore every avenue before you make a final decision.

Control is very important in managing workplace stress. Trying to control tasks that are uncontrollable is a major cause of avoidable stress. You can also try shorter but more frequent vacations.

Instead of a two or three week trip (which can be stressful in itself), shorten it into several three day weekends, or take extra time around a holiday to maximize your time off. Give yourself more opportunities to recharge your batteries.

Of course, you can always try simpler methods like meditation, listening to music, or even have something to look forward to at the end of the day. Things like a hot bath, a good movie or even just spending some quality time with your family can help brighten the darkest of days and help you eliminate workplace stress for good!