A brief guide to managing stress from the perspective of a British Army Officer. Useful for managers who want to combat stress in their teams, and also for individuals who want to reduce their own stress levels.
2. Objective
The Aim of this presentation is to provide
military leaders with the knowledge and
skills to identify and manage stress within
their organisations.
3. Introduction
• Introduction.
• What is Stress?
• Causes.
• Symptoms.
• Stress managing the individual.
• Stress managing the organisation.
• Signposting.
• Summary.
4. What is Stress?
Stress is a physical, mental, or emotional factor
that causes bodily or mental tension.
Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or
social situations) or internal (illness, or from a medical procedure).
6. Biology
• Central Nervous System (CNS).
• Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).
• Parasympathetic Nervous System.
• Sympathetic Nervous System.
• Sympathetic Response.
• Stimulation of Adrenal Glands.
• ‘Fight or Flight’ Response.
• Results.
• Increased heart rate.
• Pupils dilate.
• Mental activity enhanced.
• Metabolic rate enhanced.
• Constriction of peripheral blood vessels.
• Decreased intestinal response.
7. Five Types of Stress
• Acute time-limited stressor.
• Un-natural, short-term challenge.
• e.g. Car crash, rollercoaster ride.
• Brief natural stressor.
• Normal but nevertheless challenging.
• e.g. Dance class, interview.
• Stressful event sequences.
• Stressor that occurs, then continues to yield stress into the immediate future.
• Chronic stressors.
• Exposure to a long term stressor.
• e.g. Work, unhappy marriage, parenthood.
• Distant stressors.
• Stressor that is not immediate.
• e.g. Impending medical treatment.
9. What is Stress Management?
Stress Management is a wide spectrum of
techniques aimed at controlling a person or
group’s level of stress, especially chronic
stress, usually for the purpose of improving
functioning.
10. Why do we get Stressed?
External
Factors
Work
Nature of Work, Hours, Workload, Resources,
Relationships, Deadlines, Competition, Being
Overlooked, Change, Culture, Management,
Unemployment
Home
Divorce, Children, Relationships, Bereavement, Carers,
Financial Issues, Home Security, Surroundings
Social
Discrimination, Conflicting Values or Culture, Desire to
Conform, Appearance
Past
Events
Trauma
Resilience
Mental Depression, Self Esteem, Negativity, Mindfulness
Physical Chronic Illness, Obesity, Smoking, Fitness, Diet
List all the causes of stress in your current lifestyle.
11. Why do we get Stressed?
External
Factors
Work
Nature of Work, Hours, Workload, Resources,
Relationships, Deadlines, Competition, Being
Overlooked, Change, Culture, Management,
Unemployment
Home
Divorce, Children, Relationships, Bereavement, Carers,
Financial Issues, Home Security, Surroundings
Social
Discrimination, Conflicting Values or Culture, Desire to
Conform, Appearance, Over Socialising
Past
Events
Trauma
Resilience
Mental Depression, Self Esteem, Negativity, Mindfulness
Physical Chronic Illness, Obesity, Smoking, Fitness, Diet, Sleep
A list of the common causes of stress.
12. Symptoms of Stress
Physical Psychological Behavioural
Fatigue
Muscular Tension
Headaches
Heart Palpitations
Insomnia
Gastrointestinal Upset
Dermatological Disorders
Depression
Anxiety
Discouragement
Irritability
Pessimism
Feelings of being
Overwhelmed
Feeling Unable to Cope
Reduced Ability to
Concentrate
Impaired Decision Making
Aggression
Absenteeism
Drop in Performance
Mood Swings
Impatience
Diminished Creativity
Disinterest
Isolation
List all the symptoms of stress you display.
13. Symptoms of Stress
Physical Psychological Behavioural
Fatigue
Muscular Tension
Headaches
Heart Palpitations
Insomnia
Gastrointestinal Upset
Dermatological Disorders
Depression
Anxiety
Discouragement
Irritability
Pessimism
Feelings of being
Overwhelmed
Feeling Unable to Cope
Reduced Ability to
Concentrate
Impaired Decision Making
Aggression
Absenteeism
Drop in Performance
Mood Swings
Impatience
Diminished Creativity
Disinterest
Isolation
A list of all the common symptoms of stress.
15. Stress Management
• Identify (Management Standards).
• Demands – includes workload, work patterns and the work environment.
• Control – how much say a person has in the way they do their work.
• Support – includes the encouragement, sponsorship and resources provided by the
organisation, line management and colleagues.
• Role – whether people understand their role within the organisation and whether the
organisation ensures that they do not have conflicting roles.
• Change – how organisational change (large or small) is managed and communicated in the
organisation.
• Relationships – promoting positive working to avoid conflict and dealing with unacceptable
behaviour.
• Measure and Monitor.
• Several Tools (Percieved Stress Scale, Standard Stress Scale etc).
• Importance of Honesty.
• Importance of Data Privacy.
• Repeat Testing.
17. Stress Management
Mitigate Effects Treat Causes Build Resilience
Take Breaks from
Stressor
Seek Counselling
Medical Treatments
Make changes in the
Workplace
Improve Organisation
Reduce Workload
Develop Interpersonal
Relationships
Eat healthily
Stop Smoking
Reduce Drinking
Exercise Regularly
Regular Relaxation
Meditation
Mindfulness
Methods of Stress Management using the Three Pillars.
18. Signposting
• Unit.
• Chain of Command.
• Peers.
• TRIM Practitioners.
• Medical Centre.
• Unit MO.
• Mental Health Nurses.
• Welfare.
• Welfare Officer.
• Padre.
• Unit Mental Health First Aider.
• External.
• Government Health and Safety Executive.
• Samaritans.
19. Summary
The Aim of this presentation is to provide
military leaders with the knowledge and
skills to identify and manage stress within
their organisations.
