Impact of Stress
Impact of Stress
Impact of Stress
* Dr. Shanmukha Rao Padala ** Dr. N.V.S. Suryanarayana
Generally, stress is considered to be negative, thereby meaning that it has negative consequences. However, stress has neutral connotation: it is only the degree of stress which produces positive or negative consequences. From this point of view, stress can be classified as eustress or distress.
Eustress: Eustress denotes the presence of optimum level of stress in an individual which contributes positively to his performance. This may lead employees to new and better ways of doing their jobs.
Distress: Distress denotes the presence of high level of stress in an individual which affects job performance adversely and creates many types of physical, psychological and behavioural problems.
Diagram shows varying degree of stress and their effect on performance
High
Performance
Low
Low
Optimum
Stress level
High
Levels of stress and performance
At the optimum level of stress (eustress), the performance is maximum. It is lower in the case of very low-level stress, and still lower in very high-level stress. Though optimum level of stress may be different for different individuals, each individual can determine how much stress is functional for him to operate in a productive manner. High level of stress (distress) causes physical, psychological, and behavioural problems.
Physical Problems:
Stress causes physical reactions, including autonomic, excitability of nerves, increased heart rate, and a decrease in body temperature. A research finding suggests that high-level stress is accompanied by high blood pressure and high level of cholesterol and can result in heart disease, ulcer, and arthritis.
Psychological Problems:
High level of stress may be accompanied by psychological reactions such as anger, anxiety, depression, nervousness, irritability, tension, and boredom depending upon the nature of stress and the capacity of individual to bear stress.
Behavioural Problems:
People show dysfunctional behaviour because of stress of high level. Such behaviour may be in the form of alcoholism, drug addiction, increased smoking, sleeplessness, under/overeating, etc. In extreme cases, when the individual is not able to bear stress, it may result into suicide.
Burnout:
Burnout is a syndrome wherein a person breaks down physically and emotionally due to continuous over-work over a long period of time. The human body cannot instantly rebuild its ability to cope with stress once it is depleted. As a result, people become physically and emotionally weakened from trying to combat.
Rust out:
Rust out is a syndrome wherein a person is chronically under-worked and his skills are underutilized in performing the job. This syndrome is a problem for employees. Like a rusting tool, there is continuous erosion in employees and over the period time, they become useless. Rusting in employees occurs in two situationssidelined and misemployment. In sidelining, an employee is isolated by his superior either due to lack of confidence, prejudices, or due to demonstrated misdeeds/incompetence. In misemployment, the employee is placed on a job which requires much lesser skills than what he possesses.
Life in the 21st Century can be hectic and stressful. Children must cope with the pressure put by their parents for a defined good behaviour. Students must face tests, projects and increased competition in landing good jobs after graduation. Married couple must wrestle with the demands of managing careers, family and relationship at the same time single parents encounter social pressure of a different kind. Office goers face traffic jams that are taking toll on many. Due to pressure of announcing increasing better results on quarterly basis, employees are expected to continuously deliver more in a shorter time and with lesser resources. Additionally, several employees dread dealing with supervisors & colleagues who they find stressful. In certain organizations employees also hav e the tension of being laid off or retrenched or subjected to "Voluntary retirement" that is often non-voluntary.
Illustratively, it is not the quantity of work that people get stressed with but the aspect that they don't enjoy doing it or that the nature of work creates conflicts with their values and principles that creates stress.
Golden Principles of Stress Free living
Stress is a messenger listen to it.
Consider your pressures a challenge your coping ability will increase.
Meet, greet and beat your stress successfully.
There is always benefit hidden behind every event in life.
Don't compare yourself with others you are unique.
Do not repeat your past mistakes; past is a cancelled cheque.
Do not worry about the future. Future is a promissory not.
Don't be jealous, be content.
Don't feel superior, give your ego.
The world is a huge drama. Don't get upset by scenes of sorrow and tragedy.
Spare time to help others, and your worries will soon be forgotten.
When you are ill or facing problems, be happy, you are simply paying off past debts.
Your critics are instruments to carry you forward, so consider them as well wishers.
Don't criticize others behind their back.
Don't think of taking revenge. Forgive and forget.
Give happiness to others, never think of giving sorrow.
Observe your mind, control your mental traffic, and you wont have irrelevant thoughts.
Laughter an antidote to stress. Laugh at your mistakes but not at others.
Surrender all your worries to god and relax.
Practise meditation for 15 minutes daily. It will bring peace, bliss and relaxation of mind.
Impact of Stress
By: S.R.PADALA & NVS SURYANARAYANA
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