Report for Personal Development on Stress Management.

What causes of stress?

The health and safety executives explains and defines stress as the adverse reaction employees have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them within the work place. Stress is not an illness but more a state of mind that may develop into mental or physical illness if the employee is subject to this state over a long period of time. Stress affects people in many different ways and what one person finds stressful can be normal to another. With each new situation a person will decide what the challenge is and whether they have the resources to cope. If an employee decides they don’t have the resources available to them they may begin to feel stressed. There are many factors that may cause stress. These may include the working hours of the job, mismatch between the requirements of the job and your own personal ability and too much or too little responsibility. There is no single cause of work-related stress. Although it can be triggered by sudden, unexpected pressures, it's often the result of a combination of stressful factors that build up over time.

Ways to recognise stress?

Stress can show its self in many ways.

Emotional Stress – Is a negative or depressing feeling that may occur due to the feeling of disappointment. The emotional reactions of an individual may become increased and the individual may seem more aggressive and sensitive toward stressful situations. Main signs of emotional stress are loss of motivation, confidence and commitment.

Mental Stress – Individuals may become confused by situations more easily and concentration levels at work may decrease. Poor memory is also a sign of mental stress.

Changes in behaviour – changes in individuals may differ. Individuals may develop changes in there behaviour as a result of stress. The changes could be as simple as altering there eating habits but may also include the more dangerous factor of alcohol and narcotic abuse to reduce level of stress. Changes in attendance or arriving late to work are also a key indicator that an employee may be having difficult managing workloads and stress.