Hi All,
Stress can be simply defined as a physiological(body) and Psychological(mind) fatigue.Stress can be differentiated by the way in which it affects our body and mind.It can either be positive or negative.Positive stress is called Eustress.It triggers the body alarm and enhances a person's attention,performance and creativity.It has temporary effects.Negative stress is called Distress.It has a negative effect on the physical and mental health of an individual.If left unattented,distress could lead to serious health problems like sleeplessness,depression,eating disorders and suicidal tendencies.
Effects of Stress:
Stress affects both the individual and the environment in which he/she lives.It has an effect on the individual's family,work and society as well.
a)Physical effects of stress:
1)Increased heart and pulse rate.
2)Sudden changes in weight or eating habits.
3)Frequent fatigue,headaches and respiratory problems.
4)Nervous weakness.
5)Insomnia.
6)Reduced immunity to common colds,flu.
7)Ulcers and weak digestive system.
b)Psychological effects of stress:
1)Loss of concentration.
2)Inability to spend leisure time productively.
3)Anxiety.
4)Bad decision-making.
5)Mood swings.
6)Increased usage of drugs,alcohol and cigarettes.
7)Developing fears and phobias.
8)Feeling out of control or lost.
c)Effects of stress on Family:
Stress also affects the family of the stressed individual.He/she may indulge in self-destructive behaviour that may negatively influence the family members.Eg:A stressed individual may become absent-minded and neglect family responsibilities or duties.
d)Effects of stress on work:
A stressed individual cannot be productive at the workplace.Stress can result in absenteeism or loss of interest in work.A stressed individual has poor concentration which results in many mistakes and workplace accidents.
e)Effects of stress on society:
Stress affects the way an individual interacts with the society.It could make an individual rude,isolated and irritated.It also has an effect on his/her interpersonal relations.
Difference between Stress and Burnout:
Stress is short-term while burnout is long-term.Burnout is a result of excessive stress.It is a result of excessive demands placed on an individual either by himself/herself or by his/her environment.Burnout is a critical case where an indivuidual feels that his/her inner resources are inadequate to meet the demands placed on him/her.Burnout is generally related to the workplace where a person feels underpaid,overworked,unrecognized,confused etc.It is said that burnout is common to employees in the IT sectors they are under constant pressure of deadlines and changing technologies.
Burnout happens over a period of time and has various stages:
The 1st stage is called the Honeymoon Stage.Here the employee is new to the job/project.He/she finds everything good and simple and feels that the organization,colleagues,superiors and work are extremely good.
The 2nd stage is called the Awakening Stage where the employee starts feeling the pressure of work.He/she feels that his/her expectations of both the job and the organization were unrealistic.They may feel that the work is tough.They start showing symptoms of stress like dissatifaction,confusion etc.
The 3rd stage is the Brownout Stage.Here the employee feels lack of interest and concentration.The employee feels lack of energy to perform work and starts to show symptoms of burnout.
The 4th stage is the Burnout Stage where the employee is on the actual burnout mode.Employee becomes threatening,suicidal and aimless.
The final stage is the Recovery Stage where the employee struggles to recover from burnout.It takes a long time for a person to recover from burnout so it is better to prevent burnout by managing sress at the initial stages itself.
Steps to handle burnout:
Employees should identify the underlying causes of their stress to reduce the effects of burnout and so manage it.
a)Identify the sources of burnout:An employee must identify and evaluate the causes of burnout.Some of the causes could be a change of interest,overwork and job dissatisfaction.
b)Ensuring physical well-being:An employee sufering from burnout should have a complete physical check-up.Employee should take regular short breaks and a full lunch break even in the midst of a hectic schedule.
c)Examine mental well-being:An employee with symptoms of burnout should give importance to openly communicating his/her feelings and emotions to others.Communication helps a person to reduce negative emotions and therefore release the pressure on himself/herself.
d)Organize:Organizing is putting things in order.To reduce stress and employee should plan and organize activities.
e)Goals:An employee should always set goals based on his/her capabilities.Burnout often occurs when individuals expect too much of themselves or set goals for themselves that they are unable to achieve.
Hence,stress when kept unattended for a long time leads to burnout.Both stress and burnout are unhealthy for both our mind and body.In todays competitive world it is not possible to avoid stress but we can certainly take measures to control stress in order to live a physically and mentally healthy life.
Regards,
Kavita
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