Managing Stress at workplace-Dr Pramod Kumar
- Introduction:
This word “STRESS” is derived from the Latin word “Stringere”, which means to draw tight. The word 'stress' is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as "a state of affair involving demand on physical or mental energy". It is a condition or circumstance, which can disturb the normal physical and mental health of an individual. In medical parlance 'stress' is defined as a perturbation of the body's homeostasis. This demand on mind-body occurs when it tries to cope with incessant changes in life. A 'stress' condition seems 'relative' in nature. Extreme stress conditions, psychologists say, are detrimental to human health but in moderation stress is normal and, in many cases, proves useful. Stress is a friend but if not managed properly can become man’s greatest enemy.
- Reasons for stress:
Stress has become a major buzzword and legitimate concern of the times. Globalization and strategic alliances have led to a dramatic increase in stress on senior officers. Besides advanced information technology, there is also evidence that increased diversification of work force may lead to unique stress problems. This stress epidemic not only has a deteriorating impact on those affected and their families, but also is very costly to organizations as a result of medical cost, diminished productivity, etc. We may bifurcate the reasons of stress under two heads:
A. Extra-organizational Stressors: It includes things such as societal/ technological change, globalization, the family relocation due to transfer, dual establishment due to working of spouse at different place, economic and financial conditions, etc. Because our officers tend to get caught up in the rush-rush, mobile, urbanized, crowded, on-the-go lifestyle of today, their anxiety and wellness in general has deteriorated; the potential for stress on the job has increased. As some of officers are working longer hours and bringing more work home at night, more and more pressure is being placed on work-family relationships. Relocation of family because of a transfer or a promotion also leads to stress. Because of working of both the spouses, in many cases, they are unable to spare time for recreational and family activities. In Mumbai and in some other Metros, commutation also leads to stress to officers as the work places are situated more than 10 Kms away from their residences.
B. Inter-organizational Stressors: Under inter-organizational stress there are basically three broad areas affecting physical and mental health of the officers. These are behavior stress, inter-personal stress and organizational stress. The impact of each of these areas on an individual varies but all these three areas are related to inter- organizational issues where we have a role to play. For example, behavioral stress is stress related to thoughts about real or imagined dangers, personal losses, unpleasant social interactions or any other factor that may threaten a person. These can raise the feelings of guilt, anger, fear, anxiety and depression. Personality traits such as authoritarianism, rigidity, extroversion, supportiveness, emotionality, tolerance for ambiguity, anxiety, and the need for achievement have been uncovered by research as being particularly relevant to individual stress. Inter-personal stress is related to behavior of others. It arises when the behavior of other person is rude or offensive which results in conflicts with colleagues. Some of the organizational stressors are: responsibility without authority, inability to voice complaints, inadequate recognition, and lack of clear job descriptions or reporting relationships, meeting deadlines, unnecessary procedures, unrealistically high self-expectations (perfectionism), inability to influence decision making (powerlessness), poor communication, inadequate leadership, inability to finish a job, setting high standards of productivity, etc. Due to downsizing, it has become difficult to face intense pressures to outperform the competition. Downsizing due to OERS often translates to longer hours and more stress on the officers. In a sense, organizational stressors also eventually get down to the individual level. However, it has been observed that individual ability to control the situation is important in determining the level of stress.
How it works:
In a challenging situation the brain prepares the body for defensive action—the fight or flight response by releasing stress hormones, namely, cortisone and adrenaline. These hormones raise the blood pressure and the body prepares to react to the situation. With a concrete defensive action (fight response) the stress hormones in the blood get used up, entailing reduced stress effects and symptoms of anxiety. When we fail to counter a stress situation (flight response) the hormones and chemicals remain unreleased in the blood stream for a long period of time. It results in stress related physical symptoms such as tense muscles, unfocused anxiety, dizziness and rapid heartbeats. We all encounter various stressors (causes of stress) in everyday life, which can accumulate, if not released. Subsequently, it compels the mind and body to be in an almost constant alarm-state in preparation to fight or flee. This state of accumulated stress can increase the risk of both acute and chronic psychosomatic illnesses and weaken the immune system of the human body. Stress can cause headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, eating disorder, allergies, insomnia, backaches, frequent cold and fatigue to diseases such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, heart ailments and even cancer.
How to manage the stress:
Learning to understand and manage stress can prevent the counter effects of stress. Methods of coping with stress are aplenty. The most significant or sensible way out is a change in lifestyle. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, physical exercises, listening to soothing music, deep breathing, various natural and alternative methods, personal growth techniques, visualization and massage are some of the most effective known non-invasive stress busters. For every one-hour of work, take a five minute break and stretch, walk, or meditate. With just a few minutes of relaxation (or doing something other than work), we can increase our physical activity as well as productivity and feel better through out the day. Put off housekeeping, work, or family issues for a short period prior to bedtime and permit yourself to completely relax. Stress is like a flowing river. When tamed and directed, it can spread much goodness along its path; when managed, stress can provide a sense of challenge, excitement, efficiency and productivity. However like the havoc caused by an untamed river, stress can also become a devastating way of life, chronic enough to disturb balance and aggravate all diseases. Therefore it is imperative for us to take control of stress and to steer it on the right path.
Strategies:
We may adopt the following strategy to keep ourselves intact and stress free:
i. Counseling and Mediation Service: We can take the help of professional counselor in case of need.
ii. Occupational Health Service: It can provide a wide range of services including screening through self-referral. If there is any health problem affecting work or any possibility of work adversely affecting health, the Occupational Health Service (OHS) can give a lot of benefit. This can facilitate a smooth and stress free return to work.
iii. Employee Development and Training: Sometimes we experience stress through feelings that are not adequately trained for particular job and feel especially stressed when they move to a new or changed role. The identification of training needs and procurement of training should have a high priority in cases where restructuring of individual posts, sections or departments is taking place. The identification and meeting of training needs may be seen as a continuing process throughout a person's career. Training on time management, managing self, behavior management, inter-personal relationship etc. may be imparted periodically. Posting of the employees may be made after proper analysis of their personal attributes after taking into consideration their interest, educational qualifications, trainings, etc.
iv. Optimum Working Hours: Five-day week is one of the best strategies at this juncture to keep the working schedule.
v. Adequate and Proper Interface Mechanism: Communication within and outside the department / office needs to be effective and employees should aware of the importance of effective communication with each other. Though mechanisms such as meetings, Study Circles may be in vogue, their importance is normally undermined. Moreover, the periodicity of such mechanism needs to be increased to keep the communications more frequent. This will create healthy relationships and stress less work environment / profile. Environment of openness may be promoted in the offices.
vi. Change in transfer policy: While transferring an employee, his choice of centre may be considered and preference may be given to post him at the desired center subject to administrative convenience. In case spouse of the employee is also working in the organization, the employee's request for transfer to the center where his/ her spouse is working may be considered sympathetically.
vii. Reward and appreciation Policy: To motivate and keep the employees stress free, a reward and appreciation system may be implemented to recognize the works done by them. For example, Paid holiday at Hill Station for 7 days may be given to the best performer in each department every year.
viii. Residential accommodation: Officers may be provided residential accommodation within 10 Kms from office.
ix. Fitness Centres: At employees' colony, the facility of fitness centers/yoga classes can be arranged. Training centers may impart training on Yoga to employees.
Dr. Pramod Kumar
21st June 2005
Email: drpk1956@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment