Managing Stress

Exam Q: Define Stress? Explain and contrast individual and organizational

approaches to manage stress. (Two Times)
Stress is a dynamic condition in which an individual is confronted with an
opportunity, constraint, or demand related to what he or she desires and
for which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important.
OR
Stress is a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your
life, work, etc
Managing Stress
Following two approaches are used to manage stress:
A. Individual Approaches
B. Organizational Approached
A. Individual Approaches
Individuals often manage stress through
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Implementing time management

Increasing physical exercise
Relaxation training
Expanding social support network

i.

Implementing time management

The well-organized employees use the following best-known time-management

principles to cope with stress created by job demands:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Making daily lists of activities to be accomplished

Prioritizing activities by importance and urgency
Scheduling activities according to the priorities set
Knowing daily cycle and handling the most demanding parts of job
Avoiding electronic distractions like frequently checking e-mails which can
limit attention and reduce efficiency

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ii.

Increasing physical exercise

Physicians have recommended noncompetitive physical exercises such as
aerobics, walking, jogging, swimming, and riding a bicycle to deal with
excessive stress levels.

iii.

Relaxation training
Individuals can also teach themselves to reduce tension through relaxation
techniques such as meditation, hypnosis, and deep breathing.
The objective is to reach a state of deep physical relaxation.

iv.

Expanding social support network

Expanding social support network provides someone to hear problems and
offer a more objective perspective on a stressful situation than your own.
B. Organizational Approaches
Organizations can also help employees manage stress by

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.

Improved personnel selection and job placement

Training
Use of realistic goal setting
Redesigning of jobs
Increased employee involvement
Improved organizational communication
Offering employee sabbaticals
Establishment of corporate wellness programs

i.

Improved personnel selection and job placement

Certain jobs are more stressful than others.

Individuals with little experience or an external locus of control tend to be
more prone to stress.
Selection and placement decisions should take these facts into
consideration.

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ii.

Training

Training can increase an individuals self-efficacy and thus lessen job strain.
iii.

Use of realistic goal setting

Individuals perform better when they have specific and challenging goals
and receive feedback on their progress toward these goals.
Specific goals perceived as attainable clarify performance expectations.
Goal feedback reduces uncertainties about actual job performance.
The result is less employee frustration, role ambiguity, and stress.
iv.

Redesigning of jobs

Redesigning jobs give employees more responsibility, more meaningful

work, more autonomy, and increased feedback.
Redesigning jobs can reduce stress because these factors give employees
greater control over work activities and lessen dependence on others.
v.

Increased employee involvement

Managers should consider increasing employee involvement in decision

making, because evidence clearly shows that increases in employee
empowerment reduce psychological strain.
vi.

Improved organizational communication

Increasing formal organizational communication with employees reduces

uncertainty by lessening role ambiguity and role conflict.
vii.

Offering employee sabbaticals (Vacations, time off)

Some employees need an occasional escape from the frenetic (hectic, mad,
chaotic) pace of their work.
Good Companies have begun to provide extended voluntary leaves.
These sabbaticals ranging in length from a few weeks to several months
allow employees to travel, relax, or pursue personal projects that consume
time beyond normal vacations.

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viii.

Establishment of corporate wellness programs

The final suggestion is organizationally supported wellness programs.

These typically provide workshops to help people quit smoking, control
alcohol use, lose weight, eat better, and develop a regular exercise program
They focus on the employees total physical and mental condition.
Most firms that have introduced wellness programs have found significant
benefits.

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