BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES: STRESS MANAGEMENT

We work in the environment which is dynamic and contemporary. The environment influences us and we too get influenced by the environmental forces. These forces could be internal as well as external.

Internal forces comprises of customer, competitors, suppliers, stakeholders and employees. Similarly external forces comprises of political, legal, economical, social, cultural and technological factors.

we cannot leave without doing anything. Even doing nothing, we still do something.

If we do our work without being affected by the internal and external environmental forces we remain happy and our work flow automatically becomes productive day to day.

Practically, getting uninfluenced by the environmental forces is inevitable. The world is getting globalized. The people who is adaptable are kept and others are doomed. The competition has compelled the resources to be utilized in most efficient manner. In order to provide maximum valued products and services with high quality at minimum cost, the acts that are followed is full of stress.

STRESS

In simple sense,

Stress is a physiological chain of reaction which is set by the human brain which occurs due to perception of :

Ethical dilemma

Threat

Unusual changes

Unusual demands

Actions

Behavior

Setting limits

Unpleasant situations

TYPES OF STRESS

The types of stress are as follows :

A ) Types of stress as per outcomes :

In general, on the basis of outcome level, stress can be of two types. They are as follows:

1.) Positive Stress:

This stress is technically called 'Eu-stress'. They are also called 'functional stress'. These stress makes one realize about its potentiality and productivity. This stress constantly provokes the people to do good.

It is something that people should work upon in order to shine.

2.) Negative Stress:

This stress is technically called 'Distress'. These are unproductive stress. It has dysfunctional consequences, so this kind of stress is also known as 'dysfunctional stress'.

These stress has to be recognized, prevented and controlled up to minimum level.

B ) Types of stress as per forces of environment :

Stress comes from different forces of environment. These sources of stress could come from : individual, group, organization, Extra organization.

1 ) Individual Stress

Individual Stress could be:

Body oriented (sleep disorders, staying unfit, appetite loss, etc.)

Emotion oriented (loneliness, depression,frustrated of work, feeling of failure, anger, etc)

Relationship oriented (being unsupported by organization and staffs, uninterested in enhancing skill, getting uninvolved in work etc.)

Event oriented (death, job changes, divorce, break ups, etc) and

Personality oriented (working without breaks, taking work at home, setting unrealistic targets , etc).

2 ) Group Stress

Group Stress could be mainly due to lack of:

Group cohesiveness

Social support and

Conflicts

3 ) Organizational Stress :

Organizational Stress could be mainly from administrative policies, organizational designs ,working conditions and organization processes.

Similarly,

4 ) Extra organizational stress :

Extra organizational stress could be mainly from social changes, family and life changing elements ( rise of price levels, unemployment, rescission, etc.).

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress can create physical, physiological, psychological as well as organizational problems. Therefore, it is very necessary to identify the stress and adopt a suitable strategy to manage it.

The strategy to manage stress is very simple which is as follows:

Identify the type of stress (positive or negative).

Use suitable techniques as per the nature( individual, group, organizational, extra organizational) of stress .

If the stress is individual then the methods to be adopted for managing stress can be:

Exercises like brisking, jogging, swimming, etc.

Self control if it is negative stress.

Relaxation techniques like yoga, listening to the music which is pleasant to ear, reading motivational books, watching inspirational video, etc.

Getting Social through making friends, communicating with family members and surrounding people having positive attitude.

Eating hygienic food.

Taking sufficient sleep.

Using Time Management Techniques.

Consulting the doctors if problem is diagnosed.

Reorganize the work place.

Set realistic goals.

Work in present.

Set personal limits.

If the stress is from the groups then following stress management techniques are to be followed:

Predefined set of protocol should be made, so that the goal will be lucid to all members of groups.

Define clear roles, responsibility and accountability of the work among groups.

Equal opportunity is to be given to group members.

Proper decentralization of work is to be made, that means, right work should be given to right member.

Problems are to be shared.

Members are to do their allotted job without getting overdependent upon others.

Communication should be done as and when required.

If the stress is from the organization then following additional stress management techniques are to be followed:

Creating harmonious work culture.

Working through proper project planning.

Redesigning the job, that is right people are given right work.

Providing training on stress management techniques.

Motivating through examples.

Training the people to enhance their qualitative productivity.

Counseling the stressed people.

Managing the conflicts.

Similarly, if the stress is Extra organizational then following stress management techniques are to be followed

Identify the changes in External environmental factors (political, legal, economical, social, cultural and technological factors) that creates stress.