"I can tell a lot about a person by the way 
he/she handles three things: a rainy day. 
lost luggage, and tangled Christmas lights.
                   -Maya Angelou

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MAINTAINING YOURSELF AS A LEADER
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Stress is recognized as the most pervasive and 
potent toxin in the workplace.  Recognize the symptoms: 
absenteeism, low morale, apathy, substance abuse, 
increased rates of illness and disability, workers comp
claims, accidents, tardiness, leaving early, reduced 
productivity.  If you are stressed, others are, too
--it is infectious.

Stress management is a leadership responsibility. 
Why not create a corporate climate that minimizes stress?  
An environment that is relaxed, participatory, that 
allows people space and territory.  Adequate reward 
mechanisms, which focus on what has gone well.  
Realistic job content, hours, and working conditions.  
A flatter structure that minimizes bureaucracy, 
and gives people more control over their work.  
Programs that enhance health, fitness, nutrition, 
and balance.

People will take their cue from you.  Observe and 
adjust your attitude toward change, your management 
of time, the way you work with others, and how 
you  maintain a balanced life.  

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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I think a little stress is a good thing.  Why not 
encourage it?

It is true that all stress is not harmful.  There is 
a good form of  stress (eustress), which is linked 
to energy, enjoyment, and creativity.  Stress mobilizes 
us for action, shapes perception, heightens attention.  
If stress is too low, we cultivate the condition of 
low energy called "rust-out."

The risk is that people vary in their abilities to 
be challenged without being overwhelmed.  If you can 
establish clear priorities and values, together with work 
choices, people can then select opportunities and 
challenges that fit.

How do I develop a plan for managing stress in my life?

- View change as a challenge, opportunity
- Manage your time
- Say no, let go
- Get help, delegate
- Relaxation techniques. e.g., breathing, quieting
- Laugh
- Set realistic goals
- Decrease caffeine, alcohol, tobacco
- Increase nutrition, rest, exercise
- Compartmentalize--leave work at work
- Avoid blaming yourself and others
- Reframe--look for the upside
- Do something to help others
- Insulate--refuse to accept other people's problems, avoid negative people
- Stop self-defeating thoughts
- When you can, exercise choice
- Utilize social support--share your problems, receive nurturance
- Live one day at a time

Aren't physical health problems linked to stress ? 

Yes.  Hans Selye, an endocrinologist, first linked stress to 
illness and even death.  These "diseases of adaptation" 
are not the consequence of external agents, but our 
less than perfect adaptive reactions to stressors 
we encounter in life.  Holmes & Rahe further elaborated: 
too many life changes (both good and bad) in too short a 
period of time were strongly linked to physical and psychological 
distress.   More than just a crisis reaction, we cannot 
sustain a bodily state of "chronic vigilance"--always 
preparing to "fight or run (flight)"-- without 
exhaustion.  High on the list are cancer, heart failure, 
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, diabetes, 
chest pain, high blood pressure, and peptic ulcers.  The 
main determinant (in who does and who doesn't develop 
illness from stress) is Social Support.

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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
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Free teleseminar on managing stress
http://www.healthywealthynwise.com/healingcode/teleworkshop.asp

Interesting paper on the mind-body connection
http://faculty.weber.edu/molpin/healthclasses/1110/bookchapters/stresseffectschapter.htm

Former Keyzines on related topics:
Volume 5, August 2001 - Spirit at Work
Volume 6, September 2001 - Stress 
Reactions to Terrorism and Major Disasters
Volume 25, April 2003 - When Enough is Not Enough
Volume 32, November 2003 - Renewing Ourselves
Volume 45, December 2004 - Driving Out Fear

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OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES 
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Free health guide, "Transform Stress into Power"
http://www.wellnesscoachingprogram.com/TransformStressIntoPower_Info.htm

How can you manage stress better?
http://www.ivf.com/stress.html

Self-help, stress mind tools, and support to overcome stress
http://www.ivf.com/stress.html

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ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS                              
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Benson, Herbert (1967).  The Relaxation Response.

Charlesworth, Edward A. (1984)  Stress Management: 
A Comprehensive Guide to Wellness.

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1991).  Flow: 
The Psychology of Optimal Experience.

Davis, Martha. (2000).  The Relaxation and 
Stress Reduction Workbook.

Elkin, Allen.  (2001).  Stress Management for 
Dummies.

Goldberger, Leo and Breznitz, Shlomo. (1993).
The Handbook of Stress.

Lazarus, Judith. (2000)  Stress Relief & 
Relaxation Techniques.

Leyden-Rubenstein, Lori (1998).  
The Stress Management Handbook.