1. Recognizing and Managing Stress
Rosan Gomperts
Director, Faculty Staff Help Center

2. Emotional Intelligence
Refers to the capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves and for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships.
From ‘Working With Emotional Intelligence’ Daniel Goleman

3. Stress Triggers Work as a microcosm of life:
Family/Relationship Aspects
Overlapping Demands
Working Definition of Stress Fred Luskin Stress Free for Good
The balance between what you have
to do and the resources you have to do it with

4. Stress Triggers Health concerns Financial difficulties
Relationship difficulties
Divorce or changes in personal life
Changes in your work life
Issues with children/step-children
Major change/event in personal life
Victim of crime or accident
Change in responsibilities
Difficulties with boss or co-workers
Bereavement
Legal issues
Family problems

5. Types of Stress
TYPE 1 STRESS - Immediate and identifiable; the bodily sensations from a traffic accident, shocking news etc. the fight or flight response: the effects are typically dramatic and also fairly short-lived
TYPE 2 STRESS - The source may be unclear, not immediate and sometimes not recognizable; chronic conflict or overwork, continuous worry etc. effects are on-going and long-term.

6. Physical Symptoms of Stress
Upset Stomach
Neck aches
Shortness of breath
Muscle pain
Sweaty palms
Increased heart rate
Perspiration
Dizziness
Trembling
Sleep Disturbances
Hypersensitivity
Unexplained itching
Others???
Fatigue
Headaches
Weight gain/loss
High BP
Nervousness
Cold hands/feet
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Nausea
Palpitations
Angina

7. Cognitive Symptoms of Stress
Forgetfulness
Paranoia
Limited Attention Span
Decreased problem solving ability
Others???
Poor concentration
Errors/Accidents
Calculation difficulties
Decreased decision making
Irrational thinking
Distortion
Memory loss/ability to retain information

8. Behavioral Symptoms of Stress
Anger
Withdrawal
Compulsive overeating
Escapist drinking/drug use
Absenteeism/lateness to work
Continual use of sedative/tranquilizer
Irritability
Relationship problems
Changes in sleeping habits
Increased smoking
Emotional outburst
Desk Rage
Others???
Be aware yyourself and pay attention to friends and family/so-workers who tell you they are seeing signs.

9. Managing Work Related Stress
ACCEPTANCE
Recognize and accept that it is a difficult time --take extra care of self:
Positive vs. negative coping strategies
Health- notice and respond to stress warning signs/ Healthy life style habits: good diet, adequate rest and exercise
Practice self compassion
Talk
Write
What Else helps?

10. What is Depression
Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with:
Feeling of sadness
Loss of interest or pleasure
Feelings of guilt or low self-worth
Disturbed sleep or appetite
Low energy
Poor concentration
Feeling Hopeless
These problems can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual's ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities

11. What depression may look like in the workplace:
Slumping performance at work.
Poor timekeeping.
Frequent headaches or backaches.
Constant tiredness or low energy.
Loss of motivation, or drive.
Poor concentration, attention to detail.
Withdrawal from social contact.
Unusual displays of emotion—irritability or tearfulness, outbursts or tantrums.
May look like “a negative attitude” on the job.

12. Research TOO MUCH STRESS IS BAD FOR PEOPLE
People who practice these ten exercises did not just get relief from stress but an increased sense of positive well-being, meaning they felt more able to connect with people, had a greater ability to experience pleasure and an improved sense of meaning and purpose.

13. Three Main Concepts ACCORDING TO LUSKIN’S RESEARCH
Know what matters to you in your life and live true to those things
Appreciate the beauty and good in your life.
Stop complaining about the little stuff

14. Ideas For Coping Deep Breathing Progressive Muscle Relaxation
A Little Easy to Learn Meditation
Making an Appointment with a Professional
Taking a MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) course
Others?