Stress management and optimal performance

This programme provides a hands-on understanding of stress, its impact on performance and how to manage stress to sustain optimal performance.

Level 

Programme is appropriate for learners at entry, intermediate and advanced levels.

Objectives

  • To understand stress and its impact on performance
  • To identify key stressors and their signs and symptoms
  • To develop strategies for coping with stress
  • To understand how different character types deal with stress
  • To release stress through a range of fun activities and exercises

Process

Your Experiences – Learners to share experiences of stress and its impact on performance. Identify key themes / learning.

What is Stress? – Mean by stress. Definition. Stress as positive vs. negative. Fight or flight reactions. Timeframes.

Stress & Performance – Stimulation vs. performance bell curve. Optimal tension levels. Stress Process – alarm, resistance, exhaustion. Sustaining optimal performance. Acting on or ignoring signs and symptoms.

Causes of Stress – Mean by stressors. Intrinsic vs. extrinsic stressors. Factors to consider – emotional state, workload, work-life balance, relationships, family, career, environmental, etc.

Exercise – Learners to identify potential stressors – physical, social, family, career, interpersonal and environmental.

Stress and Character Type – Stress impacts differently on different characters. Type A vs. Type B reactions to stress. Learners sharing own reactions to stress – feedback and discussion.

Effects of Stress – Typical outcomes of stress – physical, mental, emotional, self-esteem, energy, performance, concentration, quality of work, absenteeism, turn-over, etc. Research on the effect of stress on managers.

Signs and symptoms – Recognising signs and symptoms of stress – physical, mental, emotional, self-esteem, energy, performance, concentration. Getting in-tune. Learners to share personal circumstances – feedback and discussion.

Coping Strategies – How people cope with stress. Emotion-based vs. problem-based strategies. Learners to share own coping strategies – feedback and discussion.

Dealing with Stress – Identifying and addressing the cause. Danger of symptomatic relief.

Emotional Intelligence – Understanding emotional intelligence. Mean by emotions. Effect of emotions on self. Awareness of emotional states. Competencies in emotional intelligence.

Tools & Techniques – Positive thinking. Time management. Relationship building. Releasing emotions – catharsis. Decision-making. Life-style – diet, rest, sleep, and exercise. Exercise in relaxation – suitable for all circumstances.

Exercise – Learners to identify causes and responses to stressors identified previously. Action planning.

Options

Programme is suited for a 1 day workshop, with 8 – 10 learners.