Stress Management

A certain level of stress is necessary for every individual to perform optimally. A life completely void of stress is not possible but stress not managed may lead to disaster.

Stress defined: The definition of stress as formulated by Ivancevich and Matteson is pertinent: Stress, mediated by individual characteristics and/or psychological processes, is a consequence of any external action, situation or event that places excessive physical and/or psychological demands upon a person.This implies that stress exists when there are certain stress generating situations (stressors) that cause a certain response and this response is shaped by an individual’s own characteristics. Both a positive or a negative circumstance can cause a stress response, and this response can in itself, be either positive or negative.

Stressors are evaluated on an emotional and cognitive level. The effect of stress is emotional, mental and physical. If these effects are allowed to prolong, the individual may amongst others, experience ill health, poor performance or frustration.

The aim of a stress management program
A stress management programme aims at guiding participants towards optimally managing their unique stress response patterns in order to improve efficiency. Methods and techniques learned will address responses in the body and brain. Participants will learn how to enter into a state of alpha (i.e. when the mind is calm) without losing concentration on the task at hand.