Division of Youth Division of Youth CorrectionsCorrections

Stress and Stress Stress and Stress ManagementManagement

What Stresses You What Stresses You Out?Out?

Money/billsMoney/bills TrafficTraffic Job related stress:Job related stress:

– Work LoadWork Load– overcrowdingovercrowding– lack of supportlack of support– lack of on the job traininglack of on the job training– Audit Team :-)Audit Team :-)

Health/Medical issuesHealth/Medical issues Lack of Free timeLack of Free time RelationshipsRelationships

– family & friendsfamily & friends

What can Stress lead to?What can Stress lead to? Low productivityLow productivity Anger/frustrationAnger/frustration Work related injuriesWork related injuries Lack of concentrationLack of concentration AnxietyAnxiety Panic attacksPanic attacks DepressionDepression

How you handle stress can mean the How you handle stress can mean the difference between being happy and difference between being happy and

productive ... or frustrated and anxiousproductive ... or frustrated and anxious.

Recognizing StressRecognizing Stress

The following are indicators that you The following are indicators that you may be encountering stress:may be encountering stress: General irritabilityGeneral irritability Elevated heart rateElevated heart rate Increased blood pressureIncreased blood pressure Anxiety-anxious feeling for no specific reasonAnxiety-anxious feeling for no specific reason TremblingTrembling InsomniaInsomnia HeadachesHeadaches IndigestionIndigestion Pain in neck and/ or lower backPain in neck and/ or lower back Changes in appetite or sleep patternChanges in appetite or sleep pattern

Managing StressManaging Stress

Stress is a Stress is a processprocess that builds and builds until that builds and builds until you feel like you are going to explode. It is more you feel like you are going to explode. It is more effective to intervene early in the effective to intervene early in the processprocess rather than later. Try to become aware of the rather than later. Try to become aware of the signs that suggest the signs that suggest the processprocess has begun. has begun.

Time and StressTime and Stress

Identify & eliminate your Identify & eliminate your personal “time-wasters”personal “time-wasters”

Set long-range goals and Set long-range goals and daily prioritiesdaily priorities– Identify your number-one Identify your number-one

priority and get it done firstpriority and get it done first Say "no" when/if necessarySay "no" when/if necessary Ask for help when/if Ask for help when/if

necessarynecessary

Health and StressHealth and Stress Experts argue that maintaining Experts argue that maintaining

a regular exercise routine and a regular exercise routine and healthy diet is your best healthy diet is your best defense against stress.defense against stress. Try to fit (at least) 20 minutes of Try to fit (at least) 20 minutes of

aerobic activity into your schedule aerobic activity into your schedule three to four days a week.three to four days a week.

Eat well-balanced meals, more Eat well-balanced meals, more whole grains, nuts, fruits and whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables.vegetables.

Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.each night.

Help with StressHelp with Stress There are a wide variety of There are a wide variety of

books, magazines, tapes and books, magazines, tapes and videos on the market to help videos on the market to help you learn to deal with stress.you learn to deal with stress.

Several web sites are also now Several web sites are also now available to help you cope with available to help you cope with everyday stress.everyday stress.

If necessary, you may also If necessary, you may also want to consider getting want to consider getting medical advice from your medical advice from your Doctor.Doctor.

The EndThe End

Division of Youth CorrectionsDivision of Youth CorrectionsOffice of Quality AssuranceOffice of Quality Assurance