The statistics are staggering. Recent reports estimate job stress will cost United States industry $300 billion annually, as assessed by absenteeism; diminished productivity; employee turnover; and direct medical, legal, and insurance fees. So why are employees so stressed? How can stress be managed — or even translated into something productive?
First Aid for Stress provides a starting point to help you better understand stress and identify solutions for individuals, teams, and the organization. The activities offer a variety of ways to recognize and measure stress, change perceptions and behaviors, and lend support in the workplace.
Uses for First Aid for Stress
This activity collection offers a well-rounded approach to stress management that can benefit individuals, teams, and organizations in any industry:
Part I is an extensive discussion about stress, including:
· An introduction of well-known models for understanding stress · Key causes of stress within organizations and how to identify them · Possible stress management solutions · An approach to managing stress in the workplace that is based on an understanding of stress, the workplace, and the people within it.
Part II consists of 34 activities that:
· Measure the ongoing stress of individuals and groups · Provide coping strategies · Explore ways to prevent and avoid the situations that generate stress
Product Contents
· In-depth background information on stress management · Purpose statement for each activity · Step-by-step facilitator guidelines · Summary of activities · List of figures and tables · Evaluation of Popular Stress Management Strategies · Reproducible participant materials · CD-ROM containing reproducible handouts
Activities include:
· Observing Stressful Behavior · The TFB Model of Stress · Stress Arousal · Job Stress/Satisfaction · Stress Check · Demands and Coping Profile · Stress Management Interviewing · Coping Through Colors · Coping Through Collage · Emotional Reprocessing · Progressive Relaxation · Visual Focusing · Meditating to Manage Stress · Balanced Breathing · The Art of Reframing · The Sweet Smell of Success · Linguistic Imperatives
· The Power of Self-Talk · The Mind-Body Stretch · Stress Rehearsal · Comeback Copy · Higher and Lower Self · Relationships and Responsibility · Cafeteria Coping · Team Coping · Overcoming Fear and Anxiety · Overcoming Anger · Coping Networks · Guiding Decisions · Releasing Resentment · Defending Yourself · Making Requests · Refusing Requests · “SMART” Stress Plans
