Stress and its Management

The stress could originate from the external environment or from within the psyche of the individual.

The external environment would include environment with climatic factors, physical factors such as heat, cold, atmospheric pressure etc. It would also cover family environment and social ambiance. It could also have its origin in the occupational (work) environment.

Note: Some of the possible factors leading to organizational stress are: inter role distance, expectation conflict, role stagnation, over load, resource inadequacy, isolation, and personal inadequacy.

The psychological factors become the source of endogenous stress which may result from an internal conflict or the psychic trauma.

Positive & Negative dimension of Stress:

The positive dimension of stress is also known as eustress. 

Eustress can lead to creativity and productivity; without stress there could be complacency and lethargy.

If stress is of a very severe nature, lasting longer and may threaten to damage the organism, it may result in negative dimension of stress.

It leads to deterioration in performance and stress induced disorders like:

·         Hypertension,

·         Diabetes,

·         Hyper acidity,

·         Peptic ulcer,

·         Irritable bowel syndrome or

·         Other psychosomatic diseases.

Psychological response to stress

Stress is a strong stimulus which tends to disturb the homeostasis resulting in changes in physiology and behaviour. Some of the psychological responses would be tachycardia, increase in blood pressure, sweating and decrease in GSR.

Some of the psychological manifestations of stress would include anxiety, depression, irritability, nervousness, insomnia and anorexia. 

Phases of stress reaction:

·         An alarm phase (any physical, emotional, or mental upset)

·         Phase of resistance ( the body tries to become balanced; the heart works harder and the body is focused on the stressor)

·         Phase of exhaustion (after combating stress for days to weeks, the body shuts down completely)

Stress Management

The sympathetic activation, secretion of stress hormones and behavioural alterations which normally accompany stress help towards coping with stress.

There are many ways of stress management at the personal level as well as organizational level. 

An appropriate organizational climate and leadership (right person at the right place) can minimize the stress level and keep it within eustress limits.

The attitudes and values of the individual may also significantly influence the stress perception and reaction.

4D Brain Analysis is an advanced holistic assessment technique which helps individuals in knowing themselves by assessing the potential of the individual and suggest for the right place/ career/ job responsibility as per their attitude, aptitude, intelligence, learning, adaptability, motivation level, psyche and other organizational qualities.

Hence, it will be useful to introduce the concept of stress management right from the school. Participation sports and exercise, bio feedback, hypnosis, yoga and meditation and Indian herbs have a lot of application in the management of stress.

Also recognizing and channelizing the energy of an individual in the right direction and at the right time can reduce the chances of stress and 4D Brain Analysis is a guiding light towards this.

By: 

Subodh Kumar (B.Tech, M.Tech-CSE)

Scientist-Brain Signals Computing,

Brain Behaviour Research Foundation of India (BBRFI)

References for image:
1.    https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/fifteen-uploads/uploads/2017/03/stress.jpg 
2.  http://mymelbournechiropractor.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/LifeChiro-Melbourne-Stress-2.jpg