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    STRESS MANAGEMENT

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    Stress Management Project

    A Project on

    Stress Management

    Submitted By:

    PRIYANKA SINGH

    Roll No.: 50

    Submitted to:

    Prof. SHINA SHARMA

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    DECLARATION

    I, Miss.Priyanka Singh of Smt. K.G Mittal Institute of Management,

    Information Technology and Research, hereby declare that this project

    report is a result of culmination of my sincere efforts.

    I declare that this submitted work is done solely by me and to the best

    of my knowledge

    l also declare that all the information from various secondary sources

    has been duly acknowledged in this Project Report.

    Signature:-

    PRIYANKA SINGH

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    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    It is my immense pleasure to present the report on

    Stress ManagementI would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to my respected

    faculty Prof. Shina Sharma for her timely guidance, valuable support and

    encouragement at every step of preparing this report.

    I would like to specially thank the director of our institute Dr.

    Bernedette DSilva who give me an opportunity for being a support in

    every way of curriculum & personal development.

    And I would also like to thank my lecturers, faculty members and all

    those persons who have directly or indirectly helped me in providing the

    books and amenities which have helped in the development of this

    report, without which this report would not have been possible.

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    Table of contents

    SR.NO

    Contents PAGENO.

    1. Introduction2. Definition3. What is stress4. Types of some good stress5. Symptoms of stress6. Causes of stress7. Stages of stress8. Effects of stress9. Ways to distress

    10. Case study

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    INTRODUCTION

    In this fast paced global world, human being is surrounded by numerous tensions and

    various competitors. To survive in this complex world one has to put his whole and sole

    effort to earn his livelihood. For this he has to do millions of work which causes STRESS.

    Stress has been called the invisible. It is a disease that may affect you, your organization,

    and any of the people in it, so you cannot afford to ignore it. Stress is the emotional and

    physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. Common stress

    reactions include tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a variety of physical

    symptoms that include headache and a fast heartbeat.

    It's almost impossible to live without some stress. And most of us wouldn't want to, because

    it gives life some spice and excitement. But if stress gets out of control, it may harm your

    health, your relationships, and your enjoyment of life.

    DEFINITION:

    Stress in individual is defined as any interference that disturbs a persons

    healthy mental and physical well being. It occurs when the body is required to

    perform beyond its normal range of capabilities.

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    1. WHAT IS STRESS?

    Stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the

    outside world. Stress is simply a fact of natureforces from the outside world

    affecting the individual. The individual responds to stress in ways that affect the

    individual as well as their environment. Hence, all living creatures are in a constant

    interchange with their surroundings (the ecosystem), both physically and

    behaviorally. This interplay of forces, or energy, is of course present in the

    relationships between all matter in the universe, whether it is living (animate) or not

    living (inanimate). However, there are critical differences in how different livingcreatures relate to their environment. These differences have far-reaching

    consequences for survival. Because of the overabundance of stress in our modern

    lives, we usually think of stress as a negative experience, but from a biological point

    of view, stress can be a neutral, negative, or positive experience.

    In general, stress is related to both external and internal factors. External factors

    include the physical environment, including your job, your relationships with others,

    your home, and all the situations, challenges, difficulties, and expectations you're

    confronted with on a daily basis. Internal factors determine your body's ability to

    respond to, and deal with, the external stress-inducing factors. Internal factors which

    influence your ability to handle stress include your nutritional status, overall health

    and fitness levels, emotional well-being, and the amount of sleep and rest you get.

    Stress has driven evolutionary change (the development and natural selection of

    species over time). Thus, the species that adapted best to the causes of stress(stressors) have survived and evolved into the plant and animal kingdoms we now

    observe. Man is the most adaptive creature on the planet because of the evolution of

    the human brain, especially the part called the neo-cortex. This adaptability is largely

    due to the changes and stressors that we have faced and mastered. Therefore, we,

    unlike other animals, can live in any climate or ecosystem, at various altitudes, and

    avoid the danger of predators. Moreover, most recently, we have learned to live in the

    air, under the sea, and even in space, where no living creatures that we know of have

    ever survived.

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    Common stress reactions include tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a

    variety of physical symptoms that include headache and a fast heartbeat.

    It's almost impossible to live without some stress. And most of us wouldn't want to,

    because it gives life some spice and excitement. But if stress gets out of control, it

    may harm your health, your relationships, and your enjoyment of life.

    Examples of "overload" situations are common in today's world:

    You and your spouse both work full time while you are raising your family. At the

    same time, your parents are retired, in ill health, and are dependent on your help with

    shopping and running errands.

    You are a single person living alone, and your salary isn't rising as fast as the rate of

    inflation. It's getting harder each month to pay the bills.

    You are a divorced parent and share the custody of your children with your former

    spouse. But the friction between the two of you on matters concerning the children is

    becoming more bitter and more frequent.

    The expectations and competition at your workplace is becoming fierce. You findyourself coming in early, staying late, and taking on more work than you can handle.

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    Some stress may help your body to prepare for certain challenges, so it's probably

    impossible to live without any stress. But too much stress, especially if it's day in, day

    out, can cause physical and emotional problems

    STRESSORS:

    Anything that irritates you and makes you uncomfortable is a stressor. The stressors

    define the type of stress you are suffering from. Broadly, stressors are classified into the

    following categories:

    A) Internal Stressors: Anything that stresses you internally is an internal stressor.Examples are your diet, personal interests or aesthetic cravings

    B) External Stressors: Anything that causes stress outside or in your environment is an

    external stressor. It could be pollution, noise or a new vehicle

    C) Hidden Stressors: The stressor that you as well as your doctor are not able to

    identify is a hidden stressor.

    D) Obvious Stressors: Experiencing a stress before deadlines is quite obvious. Suchstressors are indisputable and are known as obvious stressors.

    E) Automatic Stressors: These are the stressors your body itself reacts to. Sometimes

    you yourself are not aware of them. Such stressors are called automatic stressors.

    Understanding the stressors is of prime importance in identifying your problem.

    Effective stress management is possible only after you have passed through the

    identification step. Certain stress management therapies and medications are also

    available to come to your rescue.

    2. TYPES OF STRESS-SOME GOOD,SOME BAD

    Some forms of stress can be good for us, but other types of stress disorders can cause

    major health problems and even be life threatening. Stress is a natural function of the

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    body, but understanding the different types of stress, such as distress and eustress,

    helps you to better understand how to deal with the stress you find in your life.

    Types of Stress

    So, what are the major types of stress? While there are many subcategories of stress

    that are being treated today, the major types of stress can be broken down into four

    different categories: Eustress, Hyper stress, Hypo stress, and Distress.

    2.1 Eustress

    Eustress is one of the helpful types of stress. It is the type of stress you experience

    right before you have the need to exert physical force. Eustress prepares the muscles,

    heart, and mind for the strength needed for whatever is about to occur.

    Eustress can also apply to creative endeavors. When a person needs to have some

    extra energy or creativity, eustress kicks in to bring them the inspiration they need. An

    athlete will experience the strength that comes form eustress right before they play a

    big game or enter a big competition. Because of the eustress, they immediately

    receive the strength that they need to perform.

    When the body enters the fight or flight response, it will experience eustress. The

    eustress prepares the body to fight with or flee from an imposing danger. This

    type of stress will cause the blood to pump to the major muscle groups, and will

    increase the heart rate and blood pressure to increase. If the event or danger passes,

    the body will eventually return to its normal state.

    2.2Distress

    Distress is one of the negative types of stress. This is one of the types of stress that the

    mind and body undergoes when the normal routine is constantly adjusted and altered.

    The mind is not comfortable with this routine, and craves the familiarity of a common

    routine. There are actually two types of distress: acute stress and chronic stress.

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    2.2(i) Acute Stress

    Acute stress is the type of stress that comes immediately with a change of routine. It is

    an intense type of stress, but it passes quickly. Acute stress is the body's way of

    getting a person to stand up and take inventory of what is going on, to make sure that

    everything is OK.

    2.2(ii) Chronic Stress

    Chronic stress will occur if there is a constant change of routine for week after week.

    Chronic stress affects the body for a long period of time. This is the type of stress

    experienced by someone who constantly faces moves or job changes.

    3. SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

    Stress affects us all. If you can spot the symptoms, you can manage them

    Emotional/cognitive symptoms

    Emotional and cognitive symptoms of stress include:

    Feeling irritable Feeling frustrated at having to wait for something Feeling restless Unable to concentrate Becoming easily confused Having memory problems Thinking about negative things all the time Negative self-talk Having marked mood swings Eating too much Eating when you are not hungry

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    Finding it difficult to concentrate Not having enough energy to get things done Feeling you can't cope Finding it hard to make decisions Having emotional outbursts Generally feeling upset Lack of sense of humor

    Physical symptoms

    Physical symptoms of stress include:

    Muscle tension Low back pain Pains in shoulders or neck Pains in chest Stomach/abdominal pain Muscle spasms or nervous tics Unexplained rashes or skin irritations 'Pounding' or 'racing' heart Sweaty palms Sweating when not physically active 'Butterflies' in stomach

    Indigestion and 'the gurgles'

    Diarrhea Unable to sleep or excessive sleep Shortness of breath Holding breath

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    Muscles work in opposing pairs, with movement caused when one contracts whilst

    the other relaxes. Stress can result in both muscles working at once. There is thus

    no movement, but still muscular tension.

    POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

    Post traumatic stress syndrome or post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined asa delayed reaction to an exceptionally stressful situation or a life threatening event.

    This disorder has gained significant attention during the past few years.

    Post traumatic stress syndrome or post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as

    a delayed reaction to an exceptionally stressful situation or a life threatening event.

    The delay can be as long as 6 months or even more. This disorder has gained

    significant attention during the past few years as more and more researches have

    commented on the short and long term effects of post traumatic stress disorder.

    Causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

    Post traumatic stress disorder follows an exceptionally stressful or a catastrophic life

    event after a dormant period. The causative event usually is so severe that any normal

    person who experiences it gets affected. The stressful events could be any of the

    following.

    Natural Calamity - e.g. Post -Tsunami, Post- Katrina, Post - Rita War - e.g. Post - Vietnam war, Post- Gulf war Rape Terror - e.g. 9/11, London Bomb Blasts Serious Accidents like train accidents and building collapse following earth

    quake

    Traumatic death of beloved ones - e.g. Life partner, Parents, Children

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    The persons who survive the calamities or who witness those events get affected and

    start manifesting the syndrome after a couple of months. The susceptibility and

    severity of affliction depends on the following criteria.

    The affected person should perceive the event as a dangerous one. The affected person should have high levels of anxiety trait. The affected person should feel helpless in response to the event

    Whenever a person perceives an event as a dangerous one, the normal response would

    be Fight or flight. But when the stress of the event is very severe or the situation is

    such a one that could not be overcome or avoided it results in post traumatic stress

    disorder. If the person has a high anxiety trait, the manifestation will be earlier and

    more severe.

    About 1% of adults suffer post traumatic stress disorder. Similar statistics are not

    available for children and adolescents.

    Effects of PTSD

    Many psychopathological conditions affecting adults and adolescents which were

    initially thought to be results of internal conflicts are now found to be due to a past

    stressful trauma. More researches are being done in this field.

    The manifestations of the disorder are seen after a couple of months. The impact of

    the event is so much that the person who is affected, tries to avoid any stimuli

    reminding him of that past stressful event. In spite of it, if the person experiences the

    stimuli, the manifestations become more severe, with more anxiety and more arousal.

    An affected person gets repeated recollection of the stressful event as Flashbacks or

    dreams. The person re-experiences the original trauma and gets affected both

    physiologically and psychologically and tries to avoid such stimuli. Repeated Re-

    experiences cause a behavioral change in the person. The changes could be

    Psychological numbing

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    Amnesia of certain aspects of the stressful event Inability to experience pleasure Isolation

    Reduced interest in activities Sleeplessness AgitationShort Term Effects of PTSD

    These effects are seen when the person re-experiences the past trauma as Flash backs

    or dreams. The short term effects of stress in PTSD are mostly physical effects.

    Head aches Stomach upset Chest pain Breathing difficulties Giddiness Long Term Effects

    These effects are seen for a longer period of time no matter whether the affected

    person re- experiences his past trauma or not.

    Long term effects of PTSD

    Memory disturbances Alteration in the response to fear Depression Sleeplessness Anxiety disorders like phobias Poor self esteem Substance abuse Anti social behavior

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    4. CAUSES OF STRESS

    1. Work- wherever you work, whatever your job is, it can be stressful, whetheryou have deadlines, or physically the work in hard on your body, or maybe

    you do not have a good relationship with others in the workplace.

    2. Money- we work to make money, but there never seems like enough, the more

    money you have the more bills you have, the less money you have the less bills

    you can pay, money causes problems for many people, and is one of the leading

    causes of divorce.

    3. Relationships- after the first two on this list, there may already be some strain

    on your relationships, then it comes down to the actual confrontations with your

    loved ones about the above, causing more stress.

    4. Children- while we love them dearly, it is so difficult at almost all stages of

    their existence to not get stressed, we are always watching out for them, trying to

    teach them, wondering if we are doing this parenting thing the right way.

    5. Day to Day- how busy are you? Most of us have a good 30 hours + of things to

    get done into any given 24 hour day. These days the world is so fast paced that it

    is leaving us behind, and in a rush to catch up, missing so much more, and feeling

    inadequate at getting everything done.

    There is more of course, just about anything you try to do can cause you stress,

    when things don't go your way, there is more stress, and stress causes actualphysical problems so your health is at risk. So many Americans are overweight,

    disease stricken, and mentally stressed, all because of this need to do and have

    everything, and never taking a break. It is very important for all of us to start

    taking a break, and to enjoy life.

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    WORKPLACE STRESS

    Stress in work place if not managed properly will definitely cause harm both to

    employer and employee. Job stress has become a common and costly problem in the

    American workplace, leaving few workers untouched.

    According to a study, 40% of the American employees feel that their job is very

    stressful. As the issue of job and related factors causing stress is a persistent one,

    workplace stress needs to be dealt in a proper way. Otherwise there are chances of

    stress becoming a chronic problem. Moreover stress at work impairs the job activities

    and also causes physical problems like head ache, back ache and later on heart

    problems. At the extreme chances of death is also there due stressful work.

    Work related stress results in:

    Decreased productivity, Increased management problems, Increased incidence of illnesses among employees.

    Stress related problems are the most common causes of sickness absenteeism all overthe world. In one study it was found that 13 million work days are lost every year in

    UK due to stress and related problems. The other side of the problem involves the

    employers, who suffer production loss, get bad reputation and are prone to litigations

    resulting in liabilities.

    Work Related Stress

    The common causes of work place stress are

    Unreasonable demands for performance Lack of interpersonal communication between the employer and the

    employees

    Lack of interpersonal relationship among the employees The fear of losing one's job. Long working hours Less time to spend with the family

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    Under utilization of skills Underpaid jobs A promotion that did not materialize

    In a survey conducted to find out the most stressful jobs the following were found to

    be in the top four professions which caused more stress.

    Nursing Teaching Managers Professionals

    Unlike stress in general, the work related stress affects men and women equally.

    Older employees are affected more than their younger counterparts. Stress at

    workplace could be due to

    External cause like dangerous working condition or poor interpersonalrelationship with the colleague.

    Internal causes like physical or psychological illnesses Acute cause Long term cause

    But in the long run the stress becomes chronic problem causing serious health

    problems.

    Stress Management at Workplace

    If an employer finds that his staff is under stress, he should not ignore it. He shouldtake steps to help them. If he finds it difficult to provide a solution for it, he should get

    the help of another capable person. If the employee is suffering from non work related

    stress, even then it should be looked into as it may later lead on to work related stress.

    There is no single stress relief method. The stress management at workplace thus has

    to combine steps to eliminate the source of stress and provide relief for the short and

    long term effects by utilizing popular stress relievers. Also identify the best candidate

    for work by assessing his emotional intelligence and not just his qualification.

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    ADOLESCENTS STRESS

    Stress can affect anyone from children to adolescents to adults. The causes of teen

    stress are totally different and they need somewhat different stress management

    programs for dealing stress

    Teen stress is similar to the adult stress in terms of the signs and symptoms. But the

    causes of teen stress are totally different and they need somewhat different stress

    management programs for dealing stress. It is estimated that teens form 20% of the

    total population. Yet they are a neglected group of the population. The adolescent

    group is the intermediate group between the dependent childhood and the independent

    adulthood. This transition from childhood to adulthood is never so easy. This group isa vulnerable group to both physical and emotional stress. There are problems

    everywhere for them - problems at home with their parents and siblings, problems in

    the school with their friends and education. Adolescent medicine is a new concept in

    the field of medicine. The adolescents cannot be treated as either adults or kids

    because their problems are totally different.

    The Adolescents or the Teenagers

    A lot of physical and emotional changes occur during this period, which are very significant

    in the shaping a person.

    Physical Changes

    The physical changes include:

    Increase in the weight Increase in the height Change in voice Development of secondary sexual characters Menarche (beginning of menstruation) in girls.

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    Mental Changes

    These are equally significant which include

    Feeling of independence Attraction towards opposite sex Aggressive behavior Experimenting new things including substance of abuse

    Teenage Stress

    Surveys conducted shows that one third of the teenagers suffer at least one episode of

    stress every week. Though stress has the same kind of response in all the age groups, the

    stress factors are different. Stress in teens could be due to

    Pubertal Changes Changing relationship with peers New demands in the school Safety issues in their neighborhood Responsibilities to their families Negative thoughts and feelings Separation or divorce of parents Death of a loved one Chronic illnesses Changing schools Financial problems Holiday stress

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    In a study conducted on the stress and related problem of teens in the city of Baltimore

    showed that the following figures.

    The Biggest Causes of Stress

    School work (78%) Parents (78%) Romantic relationships (64%) Problems with friends (64%) Siblings (64%)

    The Conclusions of the Study are

    Girls are affected more than boys Girls respond to stress by seeking help from others or by taking certain actions to

    reduce or remove stress.

    Boys respond to stress by not dealing with the stress at all or by engaging the mindaway from the sources of stress.

    Family members and friends are both sources of stress and support for teenagers.

    5. STAGES OF STRESS

    There are three stages a person goes through while suffering from stress. Know

    more about them...

    Alarm Stage: When something has just started stressing you and you feel afight or flight kind of attitude, then you are in the alarm stage of stress. It is the

    start up stage which defines the first reaction to the stress

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    Example: Look at a student's face just before he is going to give an

    exam. Isn't the fear and tension clearly evident?

    This stage experiences an over acting of the sympathetic nervous system

    wherein adrenaline and cortisol increase and blood flows away from the

    brain to the muscles. As a result, dendrites shrink back in the brain to

    moderate the flow of information, slowing or closing down the nonessential

    body functions. The whole body starts preparing itself to fight against the

    reason of stress. The fear, excitement or pressure is evident on the sufferer's

    face.

    Resistance Stage: In this stage, the body keeps making continuous efforts tocope with stress and therefore feels run down and exhausted. The person starts

    feeling irritated, over reacts to minor situations and gets mentally and

    physically weak. Psychological, physical and behavioral changes are also

    clearly visible.

    Example: When a child is sitting in the examination hall and writing his

    exam, he is bothered about completing it in time. He is making full efforts to

    cope with the situation and his whole body is engaged in fighting against the

    condition. This is the resistance stage.

    Exhaustion Stage: If a student is preparing for his exam and despite of everypossible effort, he is not able to relate to his studies, he is bound to get

    stressed. The stress could reach a height where he/she may feel completely

    exhausted and helpless to the extent of committing suicide. This is the

    exhaustion stage. This stage is further divided into two phases:

    Initial phase: The stress persists and due to lack of appropriate measures theperson is not able to concentrate and work efficiently.

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    Burnout: The person is completely exhausted and drained of all energyreserves. There is a complete physical, psychological and emotional

    breakdown. This require immediate attention.

    There are certain medications that can help you crawl out of the situation. But,

    you need to identify your stressor first. You also need to practice some self

    help tips depending on the type of stress you are suffering from.

    6. EFFECTS OF STRESS

    POSITIVE EFFECTS OF STRESS

    NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STRESS

    STRESS CAN HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTSWhen many think of stress they think only of the negative effects that come

    with it. However there are positive effects of stress. There is good types of

    stress that can actually be healthy for your body. There are also positive ways

    to relieve stress that allow you to help cope with your bad stress. One of the

    best examples of positive stress is the fight or flight response that one receives

    in threatening situations. This response may even be triggered in our body

    during illnesses or traumas like bites and scrapes. This type of stress response

    in our body helps provide a defense again infection.

    The positive effectsof stress are something that can help motivate individuals

    to accomplish something good. Positive stress helps an individual to make any

    necessary changes in their lives.

    Many discoveries and creative solutions that an individual comes up with will

    be the result of positive stress. Positive stress can even help a person to take up

    a new job, change their schedule, leave during a threatening or dangerous

    situation and make necessary lifestyle changes. Basically the positive stress is

    something that is products, good and useful.

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    NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STRESSWhen stress becomes chronic, lasting for long periods of time without any

    moments of rest or relaxation, serious physical or psychological problems can

    result. Some of these include:

    Anxiety or Depressive Disorder

    Research suggests a link between high sensitivity to stress and the onset of

    serious anxiety and depression. Chronic stress can seriously diminish our

    ability to enjoy life, accomplish our goals, and maintain healthy relationships,

    all of which can affect our emotional well-being.

    Heart Disease and Stroke

    A link has been shown between acute stress, heart disease, and stroke. The

    physiological stress response has serious affects on the heart and circulatory

    system, increasing heart rate and restricting the arteries. Over time, this action

    can lead to serious physical side effects including cardiac events such as heart

    attacks.

    Weight

    People have different ways of coping with stress, and one way is to eat too

    much or too little. While this is sometimes emotionally motivated, it appears

    that it may be a physical response as well. Studies show that the stress

    hormone cortisol causes an increase in abdominal fat. In serious cases, some

    people turn to eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating

    disorder to help them cope.

    EFFECT OF STRESS ON HEALTH

    The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be

    positive, keeping us alert and ready to avoid danger. Stress becomes negative

    when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation

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    between challenges. As a result, the person becomes overworked, and stress-

    related tension builds.

    Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress -- a

    negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including

    headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and

    problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen

    certain symptoms or diseases.

    Stress also becomes harmful when people use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to try

    to relieve their stress. Unfortunately, instead of relieving the stress and

    returning the body to a relaxed state, these substances tend to keep the body ina stressed state and cause more problems. Consider the following:

    Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress. Seventy-five to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments

    and complaints.

    Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure,heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, or arthritis in addition to

    depression and anxiety.

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress ahazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industry more than $300

    billion annually.

    The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often dueto chronic, untreated stress reactions.

    7. HOW TO REDUCE, PREVENT, AND COPE WITH STRESS

    It may seem that theres nothing you can do about your stress level. The bills arent

    going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands,

    and your career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a

    lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that youre in

    control of your life is the foundation of stress management.

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    Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your

    emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The

    ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun

    plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.

    Following things are discussed:

    1) Identify sources of stress2) Look at how you cope with stress3) Dealing with Stressful Situations: The Four As4) Make time for fun and relaxation5) Adopt a healthy lifestyle

    1. Identify the sources of stress in your life

    Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life.

    This isnt as easy as it sounds. Your true sources of stress arent always

    obvious, and its all too easy to overlook your own stress-inducing thoughts,

    feelings, and behaviors. Sure, you may know that youre constantly worried

    about work deadlines. But maybe its your procrastination, rather than the

    actual job demands that lead to deadline stress. To identify your true sources

    of stress, look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses:

    Do you explain away stress as temporary even though you cantremember the last time you took a breather?

    Do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life or asa part of your personality

    Do you blame your stress on other people or outside events, or view itas entirely normal and unexceptional?

    http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#identifyhttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#identifyhttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#lookhttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#lookhttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#maketimehttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#maketimehttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#adopthttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#adopthttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#adopthttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#maketimehttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#lookhttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm#identify
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    Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining

    it, your stress level will remain outside your control.

    Start a stress journalA stress journal can help you identify the regular stressors in your life and the way

    you deal with them. Each time you feel stressed; keep track of it in your journal.

    As you keep a daily log, you will begin to see patterns and common themes. Write

    down:

    What caused your stress (make a guess if youre unsure). How you felt, both physically and emotionally. How you acted in response. What you did to make yourself feel better.

    2. Look at how u currently cope with stress

    Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life.

    Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy

    or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Unfortunately, many people cope with

    stress in ways that compound the problem.

    Unhealthy ways of coping with stressThese coping strategies may temporarily reduce stress, but they cause more

    damage in the long run:

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    Learning healthier ways to manage stressIf your methods of coping with stress arent contributing to your greater emotional

    and physical health, its time to find healthier ones. There are many healthy ways to

    manage and cope with stress, but they all require change. You can either change the

    situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, its helpful

    to think of the four As: avoid, alter, adapt, or accept.

    Since everyone has a unique response to stress, there is no one size fits all solution

    to managing it. No single method works for everyone or in every situation, so

    experiment with different techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel

    calm and in control.

    3. Dealing with Stressful Situations: The Four As

    Change the situation:

    Avoid the stressor. Alter the stressor.

    Change your reaction:

    Adapt to the stressor. Accept the stressor.

    Smoking Drinking too much Overeating or under eating Zoning out for hours in front of the TV

    or computer

    Withdrawing from friends, family, andactivities

    Using pills or drugs to relax Sleeping too much Procrastinating Filling up every minute of the day to

    avoid facing problems

    Taking out your stress on others (lashingout, angry outbursts, physical violence)

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    Stress management strategy #1: Avoid unnecessary stress

    Not all stress can be avoided, and its not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to

    be addressed. You may be surprised, however, by the number of stressors in your

    life that you can eliminate.

    Learn how to say noKnow your limits and stick to them. Whether in your

    personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when youre

    close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe

    for stress.

    Avoid people who stress you outIf someone consistently causes stress in your

    life and you cant turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend

    with that person or end the relationship entirely.

    Take control of your environment If the evening news makes you anxious,

    turn the TV off. If traffics got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If

    going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online.

    Avoid hot-button topics If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them

    off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the

    same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when its the topic of

    discussion.

    Pare down your to-do list Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily

    tasks. If youve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the shoulds and

    the musts. Drop tasks that arent truly necessary to the bottom of the list or

    eliminate them entirely.

    Stress management strategy #2: Alter the situationIf you cant avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to

    change things so the problem doesnt present itself in the future. Often, this involves

    changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life.

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    Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or someone isbothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you

    dont voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain

    the same.

    Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, bewilling to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little, youll have a

    good chance of finding a happy middle ground.

    Be more assertive.Dont take a backseat in your own life. Deal with problems headon, doing your best to anticipate and prevent them. If youve got an exam to study

    for and your chatty roommate just got home, say up front that you only have five

    minutes to talk.

    Manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. Whenyoure stretched too thin and running behind, its hard to stay calm and focused. But

    if you plan ahead and make sure you dont overextend yourself, you can alter the

    amount of stress youre under.

    Stress management strategy #3: Adapt to the stressorIf you cant change the stressor, change yourself. You can adapt to stressful

    situations and regain your sense of control by changing your expectations and

    attitude.

    Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive

    perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an

    opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy

    some alone time.

    Look at the big picture. Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask

    yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A

    year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time

    and energy elsewhere.

    Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress.

    Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable

    standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with good enough.

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    Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to

    reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own

    positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in

    perspective.

    Adjusting Your Attitude

    How you think can have a profound affect on your emotional and physical

    well-being. Each time you think a negative thought about yourself, your body

    reacts as if it were in the throes of a tension-filled situation. If you see good

    things about yourself, you are more likely to feel good; the reverse is also true.

    Eliminate words such as "always," "never," "should," and "must." These aretelltale marks of self-defeating thoughts.

    Stress management strategy #4: Accept the things you cant changeSome sources of stress are unavoidable. You cant prevent or change stressors

    such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a national recession. In

    such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are.

    Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, its easier than railing against

    a situation you cant change.

    Dont try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our

    controlparticularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out

    over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to

    react to problems.

    Look for the upside. As the saying goes, What doesnt kill us makes us

    stronger. When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities

    for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful

    situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes.

    Share your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or make an appointment with a

    therapist. Expressing what youre going through can be very cathartic, even if

    theres nothing you can do to alter the stressful situation.

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    Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that

    people make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments. Free yourself from

    negative energy by forgiving and moving on.

    4. Make time for fun and relaxation

    Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress

    in your life by nurturing yourself. If you regularly make time for fun and

    relaxation, youll be in a better place to handle lifes stressors when they

    inevitably come.

    Healthy ways to relax and recharge

    Go for a walk. Spend time in nature. Call a good friend. Sweat out tension with a good

    workout.

    Write in your journal. Take a long bath. Light scented candles

    Savor a warm cup of coffee or tea. Play with a pet. Work in your garden. Get a massage. Curl up with a good book. Listen to music. Watch a comedy

    Dont get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of

    your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.

    Set aside relaxation time.Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Dont

    allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all

    responsibilities and recharge your batteries.

    Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A

    strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.

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    Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you

    joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.

    Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of

    laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.

    Learn the relaxation response

    You can control your stress levels with relaxation techniques that evoke the bodys

    relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response.

    Regularly practicing these techniques will build your physical and emotional

    resilience, heal your body, and boost your overall feelings of joy and equanimity.

    5. Adopt a healthy lifestyle

    You can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health.

    Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the

    effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week.

    Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.

    Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so

    be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy

    up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.

    Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often

    end in with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft

    drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, youll feel more relaxed and youll

    sleep better.

    Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may

    provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Dont avoid or

    mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.

    Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling

    tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.

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    STRESS RELIEF

    Relaxation Practices that Reduce Stress

    The bodys natural relaxation response is a powerful antidote to stress. Relaxation

    techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation,

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    meditation, and yoga can help you activate this relaxation response. When practiced

    regularly, these activities lead to a reduction in your everyday stress levels and a boost

    in your feelings of joy and serenity. Whats more, they also serve a protective quality

    by teaching you how to stay calm and collected in the face of lifes curveballs.

    The relaxation responseYou cant avoid all stress, but you can counteract

    its negative effects by learning how to evoke the

    relaxation response, a state of deep rest that is the

    polar opposite of the stress response.

    The stress response floods your body with

    chemicals that prepare you for fight or flight. But

    while the stress response is helpful in true

    emergency situations where you must be alert, it

    wears your body down when constantly activated.

    The relaxation response brings your system back into balance: deepening your

    breathing, reducing stress hormones, slowing down your heart rate and blood

    pressure, and relaxing your muscles.

    In addition to its calming physical effects, research shows that the relaxation response

    also increases energy and focus, combats illness, relieves aches and pains, heightens

    problem-solving abilities, and boosts motivation and productivity. Best of all with a

    little practiceanyone can reap these benefits.

    The relaxation response is not:

    laying on the couch sleeping being lazy

    The relaxation response is:

    a mentally active process that leaves thebody relaxed

    best done in an awake state trainable and becomes more profound

    with practice

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    Starting a relaxation practiceA variety of relaxation techniques help you achieve the relaxation response. Those

    whose stress-busting benefits have been widely studied include deep breathing,

    progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, visualization, yoga, and tai chi.

    Learning the basics of these relaxation techniques isnt difficult. But it takes practice

    to truly harness their stress-relieving power: daily practice, in fact. Most stress experts

    recommend setting aside at least 10 to 20 minutes a day for your relaxation practice.If youd like to get even more stress relief, aim for 30 minutes to an hour.

    Getting the most out of your relaxation practice

    Set aside time in your daily schedule. The best way to start and maintain a

    relaxation practice is by incorporating it into your daily routine. Schedule a set time

    either once or twice a day for your practice. You may find that its easier to stick with

    your practice if you do it first thing in the morning, before other tasks and

    responsibilities get in the way.

    Dont practice when youre sleepy. These techniques can relax you so much that

    they can make you very sleepy, especially if its close to bedtime. You will get the

    most out of these techniques if you practice when youre fully awake and alert.

    Choose a technique that appeals to you. There is no single relaxation technique that

    is best. When choosing a relaxation technique, consider your specific needs,

    preferences, and fitness level. The right relaxation technique is the one that resonates

    with you and fits your lifestyle.

    Deep breathing for stress reliefWith its focus on full, cleansing breaths, deep breathing is a simple, yet powerful,

    relaxation technique. Its easy to learn, can be practiced almost anywhere, and

    provides a quick way to get your stress levels in check. Deep breathing is the

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    cornerstone of many other relaxation practices, too, and can be combined with other

    relaxing elements such as aromatherapy and music. All you really need is a few

    minutes and a place to stretch out.

    How to practice deep breathing?

    The key to deep breathing is to breathe deeply from the abdomen, getting as much

    fresh air as possible in your lungs. When you take deep breaths from the abdomen,

    rather than shallow breaths from your upper chest, you inhale more oxygen. The more

    oxygen you get, the less tense, short of breath, and anxious you feel. So the next time

    you feel stressed, take a minute to slow down and breathe deeply:

    Sit comfortably with your back straight. Put one hand on your chest and theother on your stomach.

    Breathe in through your nose. The hand on your stomach should rise. Thehand on your chest should move very little.

    Exhale through your mouth, pushing out as much air as you can whilecontracting your abdominal muscles. The hand on your stomach should move

    in as you exhale, but your other hand should move very little.

    Continue to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try toinhale enough so that your lower abdomen rises and falls. Count slowly as you

    exhale.

    If you have a hard time breathing from your abdomen while sitting up, try lying on

    the floor. Put a small book on your stomach, and try to breathe so that the book rises

    as you inhale and falls as you exhale.

    Progressive muscle relaxation for stress relief

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    Progressive muscle relaxation is another effective and widely used strategy for stress

    relief. It involves a two-step process in which you systematically tense and relax

    different muscle groups in the body.

    With regular practice, progressive muscle relaxation gives you an intimate familiarity

    with what tensionas well as complete relaxationfeels like in different parts of the

    body. This awareness helps you spot and counteract the first signs of the muscular

    tension that accompanies stress. And as your body relaxes, so will your mind. You

    can combine deep breathing with progressive muscle relaxation for an additional level

    of relief from stress.

    Most progressive muscle relaxation practitioners start at the feet and work their wayup to the face. For a sequence of muscle groups to follow, see the box below:

    Progressive Muscle Relaxation Sequence

    Right foot Left foot Right calf Left calf Right thigh Left thigh Hips and buttocks Stomach Chest Back Right arm and hand Left arm and hand Neck and shoulders Face

    STEPS

    Loosen your clothing, take off your shoes, and get comfortable. Take a few minutes to relax, breathing in and out in slow, deep breaths.

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    When youre relaxed and ready to start, shift your attention to your right foot.Take a moment to focus on the way it feels.

    Slowly tense the muscles in your right foot, squeezing as tightly as you can.Hold for a count of 10.

    Relax your right foot. Focus on the tension flowing away and the way yourfoot feels as it becomes limp and loose.

    Stay in this relaxed state for a moment, breathing deeply and slowly. When youre ready, shift your attention to your left foot. Follow the same

    sequence of muscle tension and release.

    Move slowly up through your body legs, abdomen, back, neck, face contracting and relaxing the muscle groups as you go.

    Mindfulness meditation for stress relief

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    Meditation that cultivates mindfulness is particularly effective at reducing stress,

    anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. Mindfulness is the quality of being

    fully engaged in the present moment, without analyzing or otherwise over-thinking

    the experience. Rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past,

    mindfulness meditation switches the focus to whats happening right now.

    For stress relief, try the following mindfulness meditation techniques:

    Body scan Body scanning cultivates mindfulness by focusing your attention on

    various parts of your body. Like progressive muscle relaxation, you start with your

    feet and work your way up. However, instead of tensing and relaxing your muscles,

    you simply focus on the way each part of your body feels without labeling thesensations as either good or bad.

    Walking meditation - You dont have to be seated or still to meditate. In walking

    meditation, mindfulness involves being focused on the physicality of each step the

    sensation of your feet touching the ground, the rhythm of your breath while moving,

    and feeling the wind against your face.

    Mindful eatingIf you reach for food when youre under stress or gulp your meals

    down in a rush, try eating mindfully. Sit down at the table and focus your full

    attention on the meal (no TV, newspapers, or eating on the run). Eat slowly, taking

    the time to fully enjoy and concentrate on each bite.

    Mindfulness meditation is not equal to zoning out. It takes effort to maintain your

    concentration and to bring it back to the present moment when your mind wanders or

    you start to drift off. But with regular practice, mindfulness meditation actually

    changes the brain strengthening the areas associated with joy and relaxation, and

    weakening those involved in negativity and stress.

    Starting a meditation practice

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    All you need to start meditating are:

    A quiet environment. Choose a secluded place in your home, office, garden, place

    of worship, or in the great outdoors where you can relax without distractions or

    interruptions.

    A comfortable position. Get comfortable, but avoid lying down as this may lead to

    you falling asleep. Sit up with your spine straight, either in a chair or on the floor.

    You can also try a cross-legged or lotus position.

    A point of focus. Pick a meaningful word or phrase and repeat it throughout your

    session. You may also choose to focus on an object in your surroundings to enhance

    your concentration, or alternately, you can close your eyes.

    An observant, noncritical attitude. Dont worry about distracting thoughts that go

    through your mind or about how well youre doing. If thoughts intrude during your

    relaxation session, dont fight them. Instead, gently turn your attention back to your

    point of focus.

    Guided imagery for stress relief

    Visualization, or guided imagery, is a variation on traditional meditation that can help

    relieve stress. When used as a relaxation technique, guided imagery involves

    imagining a scene in which you feel at peace, free to let go of all tension and anxiety.

    Choose whatever setting is most calming to you, whether a tropical beach, a favorite

    childhood spot, or a quiet wooded glen. You can do this visualization exercise on your

    own, with a therapists help, or using an audio recording.

    Close your eyes and let your worries drift away. Imagine your restful place. Picture it

    as vividly as you caneverything you can see, hear, smell, and feel. Guided imagery

    works best if you incorporate as many sensory details as possible.

    For example:

    If you are thinking about a dock on a quiet lake:

    See the sun setting over the water

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    Hear the birds singing

    Smell the pine trees

    Feel the cool water on your bare feet

    Taste the fresh, clean air

    Yoga for stress relief

    Ankle to Knee Yoga Pose

    Bali Seal Yoga Pose

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    Bound Angle Yoga Pose

    Yoga is an excellent stress relief technique. It involves a series of both moving and

    stationary poses, combined with deep breathing. The physical and mental benefits of

    yoga provide a natural counterbalance to stress, and strengthen the relaxation response

    in your daily life.

    What type of yoga is best for stress?

    Although almost all yoga classes end in a relaxation pose, classes that emphasizeslow, steady movement and gentle stretching are best for stress relief. Look for labels

    like gentle, for stress relief, or for beginners. Power yoga, with its intense poses and

    focus on fitness, is not the best choice. If youre unsure whether a specific yoga class

    is appropriate for stress relief, call the studio or ask the teacher.

    Since injuries can happen when yoga is practiced incorrectly, its best to learn by

    attending group classes or hiring a private teacher. Once youve learned the basics,

    you can practice alone or with others, tailoring your practice as you see fit.

    Tips for starting yoga practice:

    Consider your fitness level and any medical issues before joining a yoga class.

    There are many yoga classes for different needs, such as prenatal yoga, yoga for

    seniors, and adaptive yoga (modified yoga for disabilities). Hot or Bikram yoga,

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    which is practiced in a heated environment, might be too much if you are just starting

    out.

    Look for a low-pressure environment where you can learn at your own pace.

    Dont extend yourself beyond what feels comfortable, and always back off of a pose

    at the first sign of pain. A good teacher can show you alternate poses for ones that are

    too challenging for your health or fitness level.

    Tai chi for stress reliefIf youve ever seen a group of people in the park slowly moving in synch, youve

    probably witnessed Tai chi. Tai chi is a self-paced, non-competitive series of slow,

    flowing body movements. These movements emphasize concentration, relaxation,

    and the conscious circulation of vital energy throughout the body. Though tai chi has

    its roots in martial arts, today it is primarily practiced as a way of calming the mind,

    conditioning the body, and reducing stress. As in meditation, tai chi practitioners

    focus on their breathing and keeping their attention in the present moment.

    Tai chi is a safe, low-impact option for people of all ages and levels of fitness,

    including older adults and those recovering from injuries. Once youve learned the

    moves, you can practice it anywhere, at any time, by yourself, or with others.

    Making tai chi work for you

    As with yoga, tai chi is best learned in a class or from a private instructor. Although tai chi is normally very safe and gentle, be sure to discuss any health

    or mobility concerns with your instructor.

    Tai chi classes are often offered in community centers, senior centers, or localcommunity colleges.

    Massage therapy for stress relief

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    Getting a massage provides deep relaxation, and as the muscles in your body relax, so

    does your overstressed mind. And you dont have to visit the spa to enjoy the benefits

    of massage. There are many simple self-massage techniques you can use to relax and

    release stress.

    Self-Massage Techniques

    Scalp Soother Place your thumbs behind your ears while spreading

    your fingers on top of your head. Move your scalp back

    and forth slightly by making circles with your fingertips

    for 15-20 seconds.

    Easy on the Eyes Close your eyes and place your ring fingers directly under

    your eyebrows, near the bridge of your nose. Slowly

    increase the pressure for 5-10 seconds, then gently release.

    Repeat 2-3 times.

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    Self-Massage Techniques

    Sinus Pressure Relief Place your fingertips at the bridge of your nose. Slowly

    slide your fingers down your nose and across the top of

    your cheekbones to the outside of your eyes.Shoulder Tension Relief Reach one arm across the front of your body to your

    opposite shoulder. Using a circular motion, press firmly on

    the muscle above your shoulder blade. Repeat on the other

    side.

    The most common type of massage is Swedish massage, a soothing technique

    specifically designed to relax and energize. Another common type of massage is

    Shiatsu, also known as acupressure. In Shiatsu massage, therapists use their fingers to

    manipulate the bodys pressure points.

    Although self-massage is good for stress relief, getting a massage from a professional

    massage therapist can be tremendously relaxing and more through then what you can

    do yourself. When booking a massage, try types like Swedish or Shiatsu, which

    promote overall relaxation. Deep tissue and sports massages are more aggressive.

    They often target specific areas and may leave you sore for a couple of days, makingthem less effective for relaxation and stress relief.

    What Laughter Can Do Against Stress And Its Effects?

    Laughter lowers blood pressure and reduces hypertension.

    It provides good cardiac conditioning especially for those who are unable to perform

    physical exercise.

    Laughter cleanses the lungs and body tissues of accumulated stale air as it empties

    more air than it takes in. It is beneficial for patients suffering from respiratory

    ailments.

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    It increases muscle flexion, relaxation and fluent blood circulation in body.

    Produces a general sense of well-being.

    Case Study

    NATIONAL THERMAL POWER CORPORATION LTD-CASE STUDY

    NTPC a front runner in the Indian Power sector in one of the largest & the best power

    utilities of the world, there by contributing of India's emergence as one of the world's

    leading economies. The World Bank, in its performance audit report on NTPC's

    projects observed that. "NTPC record in plant construction, cost containment &

    operating efficiency has been exceptional, while as an institution it has broken new

    ground in Organization & Management, successfully navigated the transition from

    constructions to operating company & generally coped quite well with the problems

    of rapid expansion".

    Two corporations The National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) &

    National thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) were set in 1975 -76 in the center sector

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    as a step to achieve the objectives. The company started functioning in March 1976

    with the appointment of a chairman & Managing Director.

    VISION OF NTPC:

    To be one of the world's largest and best power utilities. Power Indias growth

    MISSION OF NTPC:

    Make available reliable, quality power in increasingly large quantities at appropriate

    tariffs, and ensure timely realization of revenues. Speedily plan and implement powerprojects, with contemporary technologies.

    NTPC ACTIVITIES:

    1. Planning & Investigation of new sites, preparation of feasibility prospect

    report & the designing as well as engineering of power station.

    2. NTPC also manages the 720 MW Badarpur Thermal Power Station in Delhi &

    270 MW BALCO Captive power plant (M.P)

    3. Operation & Maintenance of Power Stations.

    4. Research & development in area related to power generation

    5. NTPC also bagged a turnkey contract for the construction of21 Sub - stations

    from Nepal electricity authority.

    6. The R &D using of NTPC has been instrumental in enhancing the reliability of

    plant & equipment.

    QUESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTRATION:

    The researcher prepared a set of questionnaire. A four point scale strongly

    agree to strongly disagree was used for this purpose.

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    SAMPLE SIZE:

    A sample of 150 using random sampling.

    PERIOD OF STUDY:

    Aperiod of 6 weeks, in which it had divided into three stages as such. Stage I

    is of research problem and collection the literature of the topic chosen. Stage II is of

    analysis and interpretations by using different statistical tools, findings and

    recommendations.

    QUESTIONNAIRE & ANALYSIS

    1. How often do you say the word I am busy or I amhaving hard time At

    the work place?

    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (52%) rarely and

    very rarely says that they are busy at work place.

    2. You think physical environment problem in the work place cause Stress?

    (Temperature, lighting, gases, dust )

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    Very Often Rarely Never

    Options Response ( % )

    Very often 9

    often 26

    Rarely 28

    Very rarely 25

    Never 12

    Options Response ( % )

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    Interpretation:

    Opinion of study reveal that, majority of the respondents (62%) agree with

    physical environment (Temperature, Lighting, Gases and Dust) causes Stress

    3. You feel time pressure to complete work?

    Interpretation:

    The finally yet importantly, the question asked about the employees,

    majority of the employees (51%) of the NTPC agree and strongly agree with

    above statement.

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    35

    40

    Strongly agree Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    3540

    45

    Strongly agree Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Strongly agree 26

    Agree 36

    Cannot say 16

    Disagree 16

    Strongly disagree 6

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 10

    Agree 41

    Cannot say 13

    Disagree 28

    Strongly disagree 8

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    4. Do you feel lack of co-operation in office?

    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (68%) faced

    lack of co-operation in office remaining (32%) of employees never faced lack

    of co-operation in organization.

    5. Family problems cause stress?

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    35

    40

    45

    Stronglyagree

    Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Options Response ( % )

    Very often 9

    often 26

    Rarely 16

    Very rarely 17

    Never 32

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 19

    Agree 41

    Cannot say 11

    Disagree 19

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    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (60%) strongly agree and

    agree with family problems causes stress.

    6. Do you have problem of BP / sugar / any other health problems?

    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (47%) said dont love health

    problems like BP, sugar.

    7. Physical exercise & yoga reduce the stress?

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    35

    40

    45

    Stronglyagree

    Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    0

    10

    20

    30

    40

    50

    Very Often Rarely Never

    Strongly disagree 10

    Options Response ( % )

    Very often 5

    often 17

    Rarely 19

    Very rarely 12

    Never 47

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    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (75%) agree with above

    statement that by doing physical exercise & yoga stress will be reduced.

    8. Meditation & prayer to reduce the stress?

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    2530

    35

    40

    Strongly agree Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 39

    Agree 36

    Cannot say 11

    Disagree 9

    Strongly disagree 5

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 40

    Agree 37

    Cannot say 14

    Disagree 6

    Strongly disagree 3

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    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (77%) agree

    with above statement that meditation & prayer to reduce the stress.

    9. Lack of communication causes stress?

    Interpretation:

    0

    5

    10

    1520

    25

    30

    35

    40

    Strongly agree Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    0

    10

    20

    30

    40

    50

    60

    Stronglyagree

    Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 13

    Agree 55

    Cannot say 17

    Disagree 9

    Strongly disagree 6

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    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (68%) agree with above

    statement i.e. lack of communication causes stress.

    10. Spending time with your family reduces stress?

    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (79%) agree with above

    statement i.e. appending more time with family reduces stress.

    11. Improving working conditions, reduces the stress?

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    35

    40

    45

    Stronglyagree

    Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 35

    Agree 44

    Cannot say 9

    Disagree 8

    Strongly disagree 4

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 26

    Agree 56

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    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (82%) agree with improving

    working conditions in office stress will be reduce.

    12. Rational allocation of work reduces the stress?

    0

    10

    20

    30

    40

    50

    60

    Strongly agree Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Cannot say 8

    Disagree 7

    Strongly disagree 3

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 11

    Agree 55

    Cannot say 20

    Disagree 10

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    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (66%) agree

    with rational allocation of work reduces the stress.

    13. Financial motivations reduce the stress?

    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (55%) agree

    with above statement i.e. financial motivation reduces the stress.

    0

    10

    20

    30

    40

    50

    60

    Stronglyagree

    Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    35

    4045

    Stronglyagree

    Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Strongly disagree 4

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 12

    Agree 43

    Cannot say 32

    Disagree 10

    Strongly disagree 3

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    14. Training & Development programs help to cope-up with new technology

    reduces the stress?

    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (68%) agree

    with above statement i.e. training and development with changes.

    15. Need for family counseling is required?

    0

    10

    20

    30

    40

    50

    60

    Strongly agree Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 16

    Agree 52

    Cannot say 21

    Disagree 8

    Strongly disagree 3

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 11

    Agree 29

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    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (40%) agreed

    that family counseling is needed to plan and over come the stress.

    16. Relaxation reduces the stress?

    Interpretation:

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    Strongly agree Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    05

    101520253035404550

    Stronglyagree

    Cannot say Stronglydisagree

    Cannot say 28

    Disagree 19

    Strongly disagree 13

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 32

    Agree 48

    Cannot say 13

    Disagree 6

    Strongly disagree 1

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    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (80%) agree with above

    statement i.e. relaxation (holydays, leaves, family, tours etc.) reduces stress.

    17. Following safety precautions reduces the stress?

    Interpretation:

    As is evident from the chart, majority of the respondents (52%) rarely and

    very rarely says that they are busy at work place.

    FINDINGS & SUGGESTIONS

    FINDINGS:

    The finding of the present revealed the following.

    Most of the respondent fall under law stress category. Thee is in significance relationship between stress & demography factors i.e. age,

    experience & designation.

    The following dimensions of personal policies & practices of the organizationhave contributed to stress among employees.

    Respondents who fall under the E2A & E5 grade are more stressed in comparisonwith the other grade.

    0

    5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    30

    VeryOften

    Rarely Never

    Options Response ( % )

    Strongly agree 15

    Agree 50

    Cannot say 21

    Disagree 10

    Strongly disagree 4

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    The organization falls a very tall structure of stress among hierarchy & this is oneof the reasons for employees being stressed.

    There is no significant difference of stress among employees working in plant &other departments.

    The employees working in the plat gave a positive response in answering thequestionnaire

    SUGGESTIONS:

    A Small percentage of the employees did have high stress. Person facing stress

    at the organizational level of lot of psychological problems in the form of decreased

    motivation, absenteeism low productivity targets not being achieving etc. as a reedy

    for the above said employees facing stress are advised to attend stress management

    courses which will help them to build coping strategies and cause out their stress. The

    stress management cause comprise of a package program consisting of:

    Relaxation Positive outlook towards works / responsibilities Self analysis through personality type testes Time management Since T & D job related factors, performance appraisal & job

    satisfaction were perceived stressful by the employees, the employees

    should be counseled regarded the matter

    At the individual level the employees could practice a relaxing holiday(where in quality time is spent with the family) every fortnight or

    mouth

    Realize excessive use of tea / coffee cigarette is not answer to stress Try to get 6-7 hrs of continuous sleep per day

    CONCLUSION

    The present study was conducted at NTPC in Ramagundam. The aim

    was to find the stress levels, personality type of the employees. This was done

    using a detailed questionnaire. The study reveled that fall under low stress

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    category only a small percentage is highly stressed & needed prevailing in the

    organization to some extent.

    At the end of the study, we can conclude that though there are signs of

    stress among the employees & such stress is affecting their behaviors, it can be

    controlled & reduced effectively.

    This can be done by giving counseling & incorporating the suggestions

    given at individual & organization level.

    Bibliography:

    www.blackle.com

    http://www.blackle.com/http://www.blackle.com/
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    www.ehealthmd.com

    http://www.blackle.com/http://www.blackle.com/