Stress Management

Audience.

Anyone working in companies and leadership positions, people who suffer from work pressure, and individuals involved in implementing various support initiatives that can help reduce stress challenges in the workplace can benefit.

Overview
The Stress Management training course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, understand, and effectively manage stress in both personal and professional settings. The course covers various aspects of stress management, including understanding the causes and symptoms of stress, recognizing unhealthy coping mechanisms, and implementing practical strategies for stress reduction. Participants learn relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation, as well as methods for time management, prioritization, and goal setting to reduce stress. Additionally, the course may cover topics such as work-life balance, boundary setting, and assertiveness training to help individuals better manage their stressors. Through interactive workshops, experiential exercises, and self-assessment tools, participants have the opportunity to develop personalized stress management plans and learn how to apply stress management techniques in their daily lives. Ultimately, the course aims to empower participants to proactively manage stress, improve resilience, and enhance overall well-being.

Topics Covered.

1. Stress and the workplace
   • How stress impacts the workplace (e.g., reduced performance levels).
   • The impact of stress on employee performance.
   • How to reduce the costs associated with higher employee absenteeism and turnover figures.
   • How lower motivation levels have a direct effect on satisfaction levels amongst staff.
   • Stress levels and burnout.
2. Physical and psychological symptomsThe physical and psychological symptoms of stress include:
   • Sweaty hands.
   • Dry mouth.
   • Sudden panic attacks.
   • Palpitations.
   • Depression and mood swings.
   • Changes in appetite.
   • Changes in communication.
   • Irritability.
   • Poor sleep patterns.
   • Poor concentration.
   • Reduced decision-making.
   • Suicidal ideation.
   • Low interest in appearance.
   • Heightened levels of anxiety and worry.
   • Feeling overwhelmed.
   • Obsessive and compulsive behavior.
   • Reduced productivity at work.
   • Changes in social interactions with others.
   • Fatigue.
   • Sudden panic attacks.
3. Key factors
   • The factors that can influence stress levels both at an individual and at a company level.
   • The impact of working conditions, work overload, and responsibility.
   • How interpersonal demands, relationships, and profiles cause obstacles and lead to stress.
   • Contributory factors like role ambiguity and role conflict is discussed.
   • The impact of personality type on stress levels.
4. The General Adaptation Syndrome
   The main phases discussed are:
   • Alarm.
   • Resistance.
   • Exhaustion.
   • Release.
5. How to manage stress
   • The need to manage stress.
   • The nature of stress.
   • How companies can manage behaviors in the face of increased business pressures.
   • The different stages of stress.
   • The role of management and the individual in managing stress.
6. Support initiatives
   • Employee counselling, communication forums, and listening skills as sources of support.
   • The role of management, stress reduction teams, and company event planning.
   • Personal coping strategies, anxiety management, and cognitive restructuring.
   • The role of performance appraisals in reducing the costs of problem/emotion-focused coping strategies.

Learning Outcomes
Your participants will:
• Understand stress in the workplace.
• Explore how to measure absenteeism.
• Examine influences on stress.
• Understand the role of anxiety on the individual.
• Understand ‘The General Adaptive Syndrome’.
• Explore how to manage stress.