Thriving Instead of Surviving: Alleviating Stress

A Zebra grazes under a warm African sun while gentle breezes push the grass like a lazy wave rolling in to shore. Suddenly the familiar scent of a predator - muscles tense and ears strain to hear. The Zebra's eyes dilate, the heart beats faster, pumping more oxygen to the muscles. The Zebra runs for its life.

The danger passes and the Zebra's body functions begin to return to normal. Life is peaceful under the warm afternoon sun, the Zebra returns to eating the tender grass.

Stress can be a good thing, if and when it's experienced in short bursts, allowing the body to return to normal. Yet, stress can linger in humans, because even though the situation has passed, the mind remembers and the stress is sustained.

Research has shown that stress is costly and endangers our health. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says that stress reduces mental acuity, increases absenteeism and leads to excessive turnover.

According to the National Institute of Safety & Health, the leading causes of stress at work are:

• Task Design: Routine tasks that have little inherent meaning or the employee has little or no control over how the task is performed.
• Management Style: A lack of participation in problem solving or decision making, poor communication.
• Interpersonal Relationships: Poor social environment and a lack of support or cooperation from co-workers.

The best ways to alleviate workplace stress:

• As an individual: Think about what is going right and
  be grateful.
• In your relationships: Assume good faith, be committed to resolving differences and remain open to influence.
• As the steward of your team or organization: Create a culture of involvement, abundance and transparency.

Do the "right thing" instead of trying to "be right" and you will reduce your own stress levels and the stress of those around you. Click here for ways to reduce stress by increasing self-care.