A lecture for Undergraduate students studying Organizational Behavior.

1. Executive stress has increased lately.

2. Impact of advanced information technology has led to TECHNOSTRESS .

3. Increased diversification of the workforce may lead to unique stress problems.

4. Workers increasingly pressed into overtime work show significantly higher levels of stress.

5. A recent EU report indicates that stress is the second most common occupational health complaint after back pain.

6. BAD stress may be because of office politics, red tape, and a stalled career.

7. GOOD stress is because of challenges that come with increased job responsibility, time pressure, and high-quality assignments.

8. “ Tense energy” is a stress-driven state characterized by a constant sense of pressure and anxiety.

9. “ Calm energy” is a stress free “flow” state characterized by low muscle tension, an alert presence of mind, peaceful body feelings, increased creative intelligence, physical vitality, and a deep sense of well-being.

10. THE CAUSES OF STRESS EXTRA ORGANIZATIONAL STRESSORS Societal/technological change, globalization, the family, relocation, economic and financial conditions, race and class, and residential or community conditions.

11. The phenomenal rate of change has had a great effect on people’s lifestyles.

12. A family situation---either a brief crisis, such as a squabble or the illness of a family member, or long-term strained relations with parents, spouses, or children---can act as a significant stressor for employees.

13. Relocating the family because of transfer or a promotion can also lead to stress.

14. Expatriate managers may undergo cultural shock and when repatriated may experience isolation.

15. Financial situation may force a person to take a second job, or allow the spouse to enter the workforce.

16. Divorce interferes with work more than any other trauma in a person’s life.

17. Condition of housing, convenience of services and shopping, neighborliness, and degree of noise and air pollution are likely stressors.

18. Conflict at workplace creates stress.

19. Social Support : The amount of helpfulness derived from social relationships.

20. Coping: The process of managing stress.

21. Stress-Reduction Techniques Muscle relaxation Uses slow deep breathing and systematic muscle tension reduction to reduce stress. Inexpensive and easy to use :may require a trained professional to implement

22. Meditation The relaxation response is activated by redirecting one’s thoughts away from oneself; Least expensive, simple to implement, and can be practiced almost anywhere.

23. Cognitive restructuring : Irrational or maladaptive thoughts are identified and replaced with those that are rational or logical. Expensive because it requires a trained psychologist or counselor

24. Holistic wellness : A broad, interdisciplinary approach that goes beyond stress reduction by advocating that people strive for personal wellness in all aspects of their lives Involves inexpensive but often behaviorally difficult lifestyle changes