4.1a Managing Stress and Work-Life Balance

Stress is a natural response to challenging situations that demand a lot from us physically or mentally.

Stressors are the things that cause us to feel stressed.

Stressors can come from various sources, including work, personal life, and other situations.

The same stressor can affect people differently, depending on their perception and coping mechanisms.

Stress can have a significant impact on our work attitude, behavior, job performance, and even our health.

A personality type characterized by competitiveness, time urgency, and a strong work ethic. These individuals often exhibit aggression, impatience, and a drive to achieve as much as possible in the shortest time.

A personality type characterized by a relaxed, less competitive, and less time-conscious approach to life. These individuals generally have a more balanced and easygoing demeanor.

The belief that Type A individuals are more likely to experience success is often inaccurate. In reality, their competitive nature and focus on work can lead to conflict and alienation from others.

Individuals typically exhibit traits of both Type A and Type B personalities, leaning towards one more than the other.

Type B individuals may have better interpersonal skills, allowing them to build stronger and more fulfilling relationships.

Factors in the workplace that can cause stress, categorized into four sets: Task Demands, Physical Demands, Role Demands, and Interpersonal Demands.

Factors and events that take place outside of work, in your personal life, that can cause stress. Two main types are Life Change Stressors and Life Trauma Stressors.

Stress that has a positive impact. It can energize and boost performance.

Stress that has a negative impact. It can break down your physical and mental systems, leading to burnout and potential workplace rage.

Stress-related problems that affect individuals, such as behavioral issues (e.g., substance abuse), psychological issues (e.g., sleep disturbances), and medical issues (e.g., heart disease).

Stress-related problems that affect organizations, such as decline in performance, employee withdrawal, and negative attitudes.

A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It's characterized by exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished accomplishment.

Type of organizational stressor related to the nature of the work itself, including workload, deadlines, and complexity of tasks.

Stress-related changes in behavior that may harm both the individual and others. Examples include smoking, substance abuse, violence, eating disorders, and risky behaviors.

Stress-related changes in mental health and well-being. Examples include depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, and difficulty managing emotions.

Stress-related changes in physical health. Examples include heart disease, stroke, headaches, backaches, ulcers, and weakened immunity.

Stress-related decline in performance, efficiency, and productivity.

Stress-related behaviors that lead to withdrawal from work, including absenteeism, quitting, missing deadlines, disengagement, and apathy.

Stress-related negative changes in attitudes towards work. Examples include job dissatisfaction, low morale, decreased organizational commitment, and cynicism.

Emotional distance from others, a common symptom of burnout.

A decrease in an individual's successful completion of tasks, often linked to burnout.

Stressors related to the physical environment of a job, including noise, temperature, and space.

Stressors related to the roles and responsibilities of a job, such as ambiguity, conflict, and overload.

Stressors related to interactions with others, including group pressures, leadership style, and conflict.

An individual coping strategy to manage stress, involving regular physical activity.