First Aid For Stress

The statistics are staggering. Recent reports estimate job stress will cost United States industry $300 billion annually, as assessed by absenteeism; diminished productivity; employee turnover; and direct medical, legal, and insurance fees. So why are employees so stressed? How can stress be managed — or even translated into something productive?

First Aid for Stress provides a starting point to help you better understand stress and identify solutions for individuals, teams, and the organization. The activities offer a variety of ways to recognize and measure stress, change perceptions and behaviors, and lend support in the workplace.

Uses for First Aid for Stress

This activity collection offers a well-rounded approach to stress management that can benefit individuals, teams, and organizations in any industry:

Part I is an extensive discussion about stress, including:

• An introduction of well-known models for understanding stress
• Key causes of stress within organizations and how to identify them
• Possible stress management solutions
• An approach to managing stress in the workplace that is based on an understanding
• of stress, the workplace, and the people within it.

Part II consists of 34 activities that:

• Measure the ongoing stress of individuals and groups
• Provide coping strategies
• Explore ways to prevent and avoid the situations that generate stress

Product Contents

• In-depth background information on stress management
• Purpose statement for each activity
• Step-by-step facilitator guidelines
• Summary of activities
• List of figures and tables
• Evaluation of Popular Stress Management Strategies
• Reproducible participant materials
• CD-ROM containing reproducible handouts

Activities include:

Observing Stressful Behavior The TFB Model of Stress Stress Arousal Job Stress/Satisfaction Stress Check Demands and Coping Profile Stress Management Interviewing Coping Through Colors Coping Through Collage Emotional Reprocessing Progressive Relaxation Visual Focusing Meditating to Manage Stress Balanced Breathing The Art of Reframing The Sweet Smell of Success Linguistic Imperatives

The Power of Self-Talk The Mind-Body Stretch Stress Rehearsal Comeback Copy Higher and Lower Self Relationships and Responsibility Cafeteria Coping Team Coping Overcoming Fear and Anxiety Overcoming Anger Coping Networks Guiding Decisions Releasing Resentment Defending Yourself Making Requests Refusing Requests “SMART” Stress Plans