Stress analysis and management approaches

Stress Management

Stress is an inevitable part of life, occurring as it does in all its aspects. Indeed, the almost omnipresent nature of stress is indicated in its very definition as "the nonspecific response of the body to any demands made upon it." (Crampton et. al., cited Selye, 1995) However, while stress may always be present, it is important to note that its negative effects usually manifest when a condition or feeling is experienced that the demands of a situation exceed the personal and social resources available to an individual (Mind Tools, cited Lazarus, 1995-2005). Since negative stress can adversely affect an individual's ability to function effectively in life, it is critical to identify the cause of such stress and manage it so that its effect is neutralized. Therefore, it is the objective of this paper to describe the nature of stress, its negative effects, and stress management techniques that help in reducing or neutralizing stress.

Stress can occur due to several factors or triggers in the work, home or social environment. For instance, workplace stress can develop due to schedules and deadlines, fear of failure, inadequate support, problems with the boss, job ambiguity, role conflict, change, work overload or underload, monotony, excessive rules and regulations, poor interpersonal relationships, and career development factors such as promotion and opportunities for advancement (Crampton et.al, 1995). Similarly, social stress can occur due to poor interpersonal skills or feelings of inadequacy and alienation. Stress caused by home and family life, on the other hand, is sometimes caused by traumatic events such as the loss of a loved one through death or divorce. However, stress on account of home and family life can also be ongoing. In fact, women, in particular, are prone to face ongoing stress caused by family factors. These causative factors include ongoing problems of raising children, and the effort involved in running a household efficiently while holding a job (Crampton et.al, 1995). Similarly, people who are trying to fulfill work responsibilities while simultaneously studying to qualify for better paying jobs, experience a great deal of constant stress caused by overload, financial pressures, and performance anxiety.

If the causes of stress are many, so too are its reactions. Indeed, not only are stress reactions manifold, they are also dictated by an individual's perception of and response to any given situation (Crampton et.al, 1995). Thus, individual reactions to any given stressful situation may vary greatly. It is important to note, however, that the instinctive human response to stress is partly instinct and to that extent, a common biological response. In fact, this instinctive response has been described in stress literature as the "flight-or-fight" response. Based primarily on Walter Cannon's pioneering work, the "flight-or-fight" theory shows that when a human experiences a shock or threat, hormones are released to help the human survive by inducing, for instance, a burst of speed or a stronger fight back (Mind Tools, 1995-2005).

Thus, while the degree and nature of the response to stress may vary across individuals, the underlying cause is the release of excessive hormones. These hormones, in fact, explain why stress leads to an increased heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and focused concentration on the perceived threat or problem (Mind Tools, 1995-2005). Besides these stress reactions, Perrewe and Vickory have categorized stress effects into five areas. These are subjective (anxiety, fatigue); behavioral (alcoholism, restlessness); cognitive (forgetfulness, inability to make decisions); physiological (high blood pressure, breathing problems); and organizational (job dissatisfaction, absenteeism). In addition, extreme stress can lead to a condition called burnout, which is characterized by emotional exhaustion and negative life attitudes that include boredom, discontent, cynicism, inadequacy, and failure (Crampton et.al, 1995). It is evident from the stress effects just described that stress can adversely affect an individual's physiological and psychological ability to function effectively in life.