Either you deal with Stress or Stress Deals with you

The causes of stress at work place ranges from personal problems to work overload. Employees struggle with stress which leads to uncertainties and severe impairments in both health and performance. It deteriorates the quality of life of individuals as well as efficiency at work place.

Q: How is stress occurred?

A: The word ‘stress’ was borrowed into the social sciences from the field of engineering and physics. In physics, it represents the internal force generated within a solid body in response to the action of an external force distorting the body. In 1936 Selye, known as “The father of modern stress”, brought to our attention, the concept of stress in a medical sense to indicate overloading of the human body.

Stress is the way of responding our body to additional demands. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people are stressed, the body responds to it by releasing chemicals into the blood stream. These chemicals give people more energy and strength, which might act as a positive trigger. At the same time, this has a negative effect if stress is in response to something emotional and if there is no outlet to release this additional energy and strength.

Q: Is managing work-related stress important?

A: Stress creates a situation where a person is kept under pressure losing sufficient ability to cope with the given tasks effectively. Thus, stress indicates a direct negative reaction for both the individual and the organization by undermining the original goals which are unable to be attained. Despite causing problems to the employee’s health and well-being, stress also affects the organization’s productivity as well as its reputation. Therefore, managing stress is immensely important.

Q: How can stress be handled successfully?

A: Stress is likely uncontrollable, unpredictable, and unknown to many. Nevertheless, there are many alternative means and resources available to deal with stress successfully. For instance, time management, assertiveness and enhancing self-confidence are some of the mechanisms. Also, stress can be successfully reduced by providing the employees with some resources and facilities at work such as in-house health facilities, easy and on time access to therapists and mentors, time for relaxation and recreational activities.

Q: Why should work related stress should be handled immediately?

A: No doubt, stress has a negative impact both on the employee and the employer as the performance of the employee is thoroughly affected by his/her stress level which in turn affects the company’s productivity. Therefore, stress management of the employees plays a vital role in any work place.

Q: Does stress has a direct negative impact on our health?

A: Of course. Stress may deteriorate one’s health in numerous ways. It can cause:

chronic fatigue, digestive ailments, headaches, and back pains. damage in white blood cells resulting the individuals more prone to be infected by colds or other diseases. elevate blood pressure which increases the risk for strokes. increased occurrence of heart attacks. asthma attacks worse. death and disability.diminished sexual desire and an inability to achieve orgasm. making it harder to take remedial steps to rejuvenate health, such as giving up smoking or making better dietary choices.

Q: Is there a scientific approach in stress reduction techniques?

A: Yes. Our brain consists five different types of brain waves: Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma. Each of these brain waves has a normal frequency range in which they operate. The table below gives a brief overview of the primary function of these brain waves.

Each type of brainwave controls a variety of states of consciousness ranging from sleep to active thinking. While all brain waves work simultaneously, one brainwave can be more predominant and active than the others. The dominant brainwave will determine one’s current state of mind. During the day, one might want to produce a certain kind of brainwave more frequently or during different times and activities. That requires a certain amount of control, flexibility, and resilience.

Q: Can stress be controlled by this meditation programme?

A: Yes. In this context, what if one has a technique to switch between those brain waves. Interestingly, that will be an answer to the problem of stress. Our program module is planned to make the individuals practically experience, identify and practice to switch between those states of brainwaves as and when required.

Q: Are there evidence-based techniques for stress reduction and relaxation?

A: Yes. Among many stress reduction and relaxation techniques, following are the most convenient evidence-based techniques which can be taught in workplace environment:

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

Autogenic Training (AT)

Guided Imagery (GI)

Relaxation Response (RR)

Diaphragmatic Breathing (DB)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Mindfulness Meditation such as Focusing on Breath Body, scan with insight meditation and Walking Meditation

Q: Is this a unique programme?

A: Yes. The core concept of all these techniques are based on body and mind concentration and their unison. Our approach is to guide the individual to be able to manage body and mind effectively, while achieving a successful stress reduction and relaxation at workplace in order to uplift one’s overall well-being. Most importantly, we believe that all these techniques that are practiced here for stress reduction and relaxation have been already practiced in the ancient Theravada Buddhist philosophy directly or indirectly. Accordingly, our program modules for workplace is designed with a careful combination of those evidence-based techniques and the therapy techniques. Moreover, these techniques will be taught by the Buddhist monks who are the meditation masters and spiritual advisers of Theravada Buddhism and they are well trained and practicing all these techniques for years as well as teaching to thousands of people around the world.

Q: Is this a customer-centered programme?

A: Yes. The nature of stresses differ from one another so that the treatments should also be created for individuals’ requirements. Therefore, the modules that are created for stress reduction should be customized for the nature of stresses of the individuals. Consequently, the program schedule can be adjusted to the time schedule of any workplace such as weekly, monthly or once in three months or and any other required time period.

Q: What is the take-home message?

A: You either deal with stress or let stress deal with you. The choice is yours!

Q: Will this programme be commenced in the near future?

A: Our inaugural programme will be held on the months of January and February iYou all are welcome to this historical event.

For more details please contact us on +61 46 8 58 85 00

Q: Are the meditation teachers reliable?

A: Of course. This programme is conducted by Buddhist monks who are the meditation masters and spiritual advisers of Theravada Buddhism from Ehipassiko International Meditation Centre in Sri Lanka.

For more details please visit thier website : http://www.ehipassikoimc.com

Q: Will the meditation masters play the role of the mentors as and when required?

A: Yes. The moment your mediation teacher starts giving guidance for you to meditate and develop your well-being, mentoring is a must. So that your mediation teacher is the best mentor whom you are able to find!