3 Kinds of Workplace Stress


Workers across America will tell you that stress

levels are increasing. The demand for anti-

depressants is up. Doctor's visits are

increasing. Stress-related ailments are shooting

up like a rocket.

There are many stressors behind all these

problems, but the gurus generally classify the

stress itself into three categories.

Understanding the major types is the first step to

controlling stress and improving productivity.

1. Acute Stress. This kind of stress is caused

by recent events. It is significant but

temporary. Small doses can result in positive

reactions: the adrenalin rush and feelings of

elation can motivate achievement. Too much, too

often results in headaches, backaches, upset

stomach, and other tension-related responses.

2. Episodic Acute Stress. This type stress is

caused by frequent exposure to stressors. These

people are generally over committed, lack the time

and ability to accomplish everything, and they

often find themselves at odds with coworkers.

This is much more serious than the first kind.

Irritability turns to anger, occasional tension

headaches become frequent migraines, heart

palpitations lead to chest pain, and high anxiety

becomes a way of life.

3. The third category is chronic stress. This is

related to the others but carries none of the

thrill or adrenalin rush found with acute stress.

The long-term nature of chronic stress is such

that people actually become accustomed to the

stressors and accept them as a way of life; they

see no escape from poverty, job mismatches,

abusive situations, or physical hardships.

What kind of stress do you observe in your

workplace? Are some of your people plagued with

tension headaches and back aches? Are some of

them even more stressed, displaying anger and

migraines? Or, do you have some people who are so

far over the edge that they have basically given

up hope as characterized by chronic stress?

How much is all of this costing your company? Good

leaders recognize the effects of stress and

understand that it costs a lot in medical

benefits, insurance costs, absenteeism, workers

comp, accidents, quality, productivity, and

profits.

Find out more about the effects of workplace

stress and specific ways to overcome this drain on

American business. Send email to

3sessionstress@sendfree.com

You'll receive a 3-session e-Workshop about some

of the top 10 causes of workplace stress. You can

control stress in your workplace and turn all that

energy into productive activity. Your workplace

can be both pleasant and profitable.

Dale Collie - professional speaker, former US Army Ranger, CEO, and a Fast Company top 50 innovative leader. Author of "Winning Under Fire." (McGraw-Hill) collie@couragebuilders.com

MORE RESOURCES:
RELATED ARTICLES
Mental and Physical Stress
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or another. Sometimes it can be helpful but if allowed to become chronic, it produces a physically debilitating, unhealthy and destructive mind-set that actually increases stress levels and lowers immune system efficiency.
Using Exercise to Relieve Stress
Most people know of the importance of exercise as a means of weight loss, strength gains, and increased endurance, but exercise can play a major role in the reduction of stress. Along with just stress relief, exercise can help improve mental health, emotion and mood.
Stress Free COBRA
If you have recently lost health insurance coverage through your employer from voluntarily or invulnerably termination of employment (excluding reasons of gross misconduct), you and your dependents may be eligible to continue your coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). Understanding the basics of how COBRA works and what your options are, can help you make better choices with less stress.
Managing Stress - Hire the Right People
Managing stress is not easy if you don't have the right people in your business or team.One of the biggest challenges any business owner or manager has is hiring the right people.
Stress & Performance: How Much is Just Right?
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYSExperts in the stress management field have traditionally found it difficult to pinpoint how much stress is optimum. A very recent study, carried out by the University of Ohio, showed the relationship really depended on your definition of performance.
Reclaim Your Life - Extraordinary Self-Care Day
When was the last time you took a day just for yourself? If you're a small business owner or anyone else for that matter, you answer is probably never. I first learned the principal; of Extraordinary Self-care Day at a workshop given by my friend Terri Levine the author of Work Yourself Happy.
Stress Management: Are You a Chooser or a Loser?
Author and speaker H. Stephen Glenn has said,"In terms of the entire world, if, when you wake up in the morning, you have a choice of what to eat, a choice of what to wear, a job to go to and a way to get there, you have abundance.
Six Questions To Make Your Workplace Stress-Free
Many CEOs see stress as an intractable problem which would cost too much to tackle properly -- or alternatively something that only affects 'whiners' whom their organisations would be better off without. Employee assistance programmes, corporate gym memberships and flexible hours are seen as expensive, of dubious effectiveness, and in the worst case, as mollycoddling staff.
Rising to the Top: Overcoming Bad Situations
We've all been there, right? We find ourselves living with the weight of our circumstances growing heavier by the day. We agonize over the "what if" questions and wonder just how we'll ever get out from under the burdens we bear.
10 Ways to Benchmark Workplace Stress
With almost 50% of workers complaining that their jobs are very stressful, it is no surprise that more than two-thirds of all medical problems are stress related.Each day, workplace stress is credited with more than a million absences and at least 40% of all personnel turnover.
Be Yourself And Zap Stress!
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress and you'll probably get the same amount of different answers..
Stress Management and Mastery: 3 Powerful Tools to Beat Stress
Q: We recently had someone come to our company to talk about stress management. All he did was talk about the physical results of stress and tell us we need to not be so stressed and to relax.
Stress Management and Mastery: The Value of Vitamin NO
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe child that never hears no will have a hard time saying no. - Della Reese in "Touched by an Angel"Have you ever noticed how some of the most powerful things in life are also the most simple?So it is with the simply powerful word ``NO.
Anger Management: Are You Able To Say Both Yes! And No! ?
I hear from many people that they see ever increasing expressions of anger in their everyday life. Understanding the process of anger is an important topic for all of us to take a closer look at.
Workplace Stress: What to Do During Down Times?
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces tend to become stressful and morale bottoms out. This reduces overall productivity and especially gets in the way of teamwork.
Relieve Anxiety with Hypnosis
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience both kinds.
Is Your Workplace Suffering from Contagious Stress?
We wonder how many of you might recognise this scenario? Although it happened with a male manager, it could apply to men or women. The manager we worked with had been promoted to a more senior role and was experiencing demands from all sides.
Stress Managment and Mastery: How to Beat Too Many Hats Syndrome
"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover, What am I supposed to do? Workin' for a livin' All because I'm driven ..
The Power of Five
Do you ever fret? In today's materialistic age, sometimes fretting is inevitable. With so many goals to achieve and needs to meet, fretting has become the "official emotion of the generation.
Secrets to Aromatherapy II - Psychological Complaints
Aromatherapy is very therapeutic when it comes to healing emotional and psychological conditions. This is because the essential oils from plants contain all kinds of compounds, phytoestrogens and phytochemicals that have the ability to subtly alter brain chemistry for the better.