Le bien être au travail? Dream or Reality?

Transcription

1 Le bien être au travail? Dream or Reality? Never forget: A small group of committed people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead SUZANNE PETERS -

2 Introduction The epidemic of the modern workplace! Work-related stress: the biggest health and safety challenge we face in Europe! One in four workers is affected and studies suggest that between 50% and 60% of all working days lost are stress related! Stress at work can affect anyone at any level. It can happen in any sector and in organizations of any size = a huge cost in terms of health, human distress and impaired economic performance for organization and national economies BRAIN BOOSTER

3 DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL STRESS BRAIN BOOSTER

4 Work related stress «!People experience stress when they perceive that there is an imbalance between the demands made on them and their available resources to cope with those demands.! Although the experience of stress is psychological, stress also affects people s physical health!». Definition of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work BRAIN BOOSTER

5 P E R F O R M A N C E Acute stress Short term = good stress Challenge Fatigue Optimal stress PERFORMANCE Good and poor Acute stress Acute stress stress management Recovery phases Exhaustion Protracted stress =Distress Chronic stress Anxiety Depression Health problems BURNOUT BORE OUT Good stress management # Poor stress management me Each person has his own stress curve: Optimal stress is different for everyone but for everyone performance drops after acute stress without recovery phase STRESS INTENSITY BRAIN BOOSTER

6 Short term stress Acute stress is our body s reactions when we are confronted to a threat or specific temporary challenge: reaching a goal, a deadline, taking an exam, a new position etc.! Acute stress is not only useful but essential. It enables us to go forward, seeking new challenges, to be committed and passionate. Acute stress is part of individual development and offers a learning opportunity enabling us to capitalize on our experiences, to acquire new «!skills!» and «!behaviours!». It strenghthens memorizing mechanisms as well as the body s immune system, which, after an active hyper vigilant phase gets back to normal tension levels until the next challenge. A challenge can be experienced as «!stressful!» and turns out very positive when efforts are rewarded by success and shared within the team. The question is how can we really make the best use of our short term stress!? BRAIN BOOSTER

7 BRAIN BOOSTER

8 Definition of work-related stress A series of non specific organic responses! triggered by physical (disease, accident, intensive physical activity etc.)! and emotional factors (anxiety, sadness, disappointment, frustration etc.) Stress is a stimulant. It becomes negative when it generates incapacitating anxiety. Chronic stress generates an imbalance due to it s repetition and the physical and mental lack of recovery Reactions to the same circumstances vary from one person to another. Some people can cope better with high demands than others. It is the individual s subjective evaluation of their situation that is important. It is not possible to determine from the situation alone, the amount of stress it may cause. We become our own source of stress through limited thinking cutting us off from our ressources The more we accumulate stressful events,the higher the risk of triggering physical and emotional violent reactions BRAIN BOOSTER

9 BRAIN BOOSTER

10 Burnout is defined as a syndrom combining: physical, emotional and mental exhaustion Definition of burnout Chronic stress can lead to burnout A burnout is a crisis, leading to disease! It is always linked to the professional environment! It is a reaction after extended exposure to stressful conditions. The ability to maintain a balance is exceeded It is successively and simultaneously indicated by:! A feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to meet demands! A progressive loss of one s ideals, energy, motivation and objectives! Imbalance between the person s available ressources, values, expectations, and the demands made by the environment! Feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical and resentful BRAIN BOOSTER

11 Effects of protracted stress! Chronic stress can lead to burnout. Neither one is a disease but they can lead to it. It is an attack. But, in order to protect the person s self-esteem, burnout must be considered by the physician and relatives as a disease for which the person is not responsible.! We are not all equal in the face of chronic stress, burnout and its physical symptoms. A person s reaction depends on her personal vulnerabilities and her biological and genetic sensitivity.! When exposed to stress for extended periods, the body massively calls up the «!stress hormone!» called cortisol. These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, vigilance levels and body temperature. When stress becomes chronic, cortisol production is out of control and its action becomes dangerous. Dragging in catecholamines, the cortisol «!intoxicates!» the body and is largely responsible for the development of the psychosomatic symptoms and diseases. The cell disapearance process following agressive cortisol exposure is reversible. It is what scientists call neuroplasticity. This involution can be slowed down by medication (anti-depressors), psychotherapy, meditation and exercising. BRAIN BOOSTER

12 What causes stress? What about risk factors? BRAIN BOOSTER

13 Poor performance Professional depreciation & loss of self esteem Loss of motivation Concentration, memory difficulties Stress Risk factors: the vicious circle Multitasking Poor work/life balance Home-work interface Unclear roles and responsabilities / conflicting demands of work Loss of meaning / values Physical, emotional and mental symptoms Sleep and eating disorders Chronic fatigue Relationship problems, cynicism Career stagnation, job insecurity Market Productivity Client/ Shareholder pressure Global economical and social crisis Increasing globalization Lack of global & concrete vision Mergers / Restructurings Heavy and irregular work load & hours Time pressure Lack of communication Interpersonal relationship at work Low participation in decision making Drug & Alcohol abuse Matrix organizations Organizational changes Directive management/ conflicts Anxiety, Depression Health problems STRESS - BURNOUT BRAIN BOOSTER

14 ? Dream or Reality? BRAIN BOOSTER

15 Solutions lie within the organization AND at individual level Each of us is part of the problem and part of the solution BRAIN BOOSTER

16 The system s signs of exhaustion The system effect Chronic stress and burnout are the symptoms of a dysfunction within the organization and it should be taken into account as a warning signal before fire spreads It s as if the person suffering from it were a fuse «!blowing!» to warn that the system is overloaded and that whole electrical network is endangered Psychosocial risks in the workplace are an expensive reality for organizations. Adaptation strategies are only short term «!solutions!» since they only deal with the effects and not the causes, and their positive effects don t last over time, unless they are combined with actions aimed at the source of the professional chronic stress, the company s organization and management, and therefore to the real causes of the work-related stress sources Prevention of work related psychosocial risks is today a legal obligation for corporate world BRAIN BOOSTER

17 Basics to keep in mind! Each of us is part of the problem and the solution! Comprehensive interventions dealing with both organizational and individual level factors are key! It is the organization s responsibility to communicate meaning and purpose, create a strong company culture, develop the appropriate management! Employers are not responsible for worker s lifestyle decisions, but can encourage healthy behaviours! It is everyone s duty to take ownership of their own well health! Well being is intimately linked with performance. Fostering sustainable management is a win win deal! Workers participation throughout the process is key BRAIN BOOSTER

18 BRAIN BOOSTER

19 Our own thoughts produce our stress Worry about what you can control Don t worry about what you can t control Our thoughts make the difference! The stress factor itself doesn t generate the stress, it is the very personal way in which we are going to assess it that will generate it! This assessment is done by way of thoughts going through our mind! These thoughts are the core element of the stress reaction Awareness of our «!internal dialogue!»! One of our brain s main functions is to produce thoughts. Under stress, these thoughts play a key role! The first stage of the psychological management of stress is becoming aware of those thoughts BRAIN BOOSTER

20 Antidotes! Don t take your thoughts for granted and challenge them! Adopt «!rational!» thoughts based on facts! Ask yourself the right questions: $ What evidence supports my thoughts? $ Can facts be explained in any other way? $ If it is true, how serious is it?! Controlling or feeling in control $ It is not real control, but the feeling of controlling which reduces the level of stress BRAIN BOOSTER

21 Managing stress! Understanding and accepting stress! Knowing one s reactions to stress! Learning and applying your own stress management strategies! Setting goals and assessing them BRAIN BOOSTER

22 Key points It is not because we know what to do that we do it! Avoid chronic stress by allowing for recovery phases between two phases of acute stress! Maintain a balance between private and professional life, a healthy self-esteem, a quality relationship with oneself, protecting one s internal «!ecology!» (being able to say NO and express one s limits, knowing when to say YES with full awareness of full implications)! Being aware of one s own values and priorities, ensure congruence with one s professional activities! Being able to change beliefs if they are not adapted to the current reality, ability to change, to evolve BRAIN BOOSTER

23 Key points (Cont.)! Rebuild the meaning of one s work: $ Get rid of stereotyped behaviours and replace them by new ones $ Find other sources of motivation and pleasure $ Learn to tame one s fears and anxieties $ Establish new professional relationships $ Reconfigure one s place within the organization! Stepping back, from oneself, from professional situations! Protecting one s health: healthy lifestyle, exercising, nutritional balance etc. We don t all react the same to stress and burnout. A person s vulnerabilities and their genetic heritage makes them more or less prone to specific weaknesses. We need to pay attention to the body s warning signals BRAIN BOOSTER

24 A few obvious tips FIND YOUR OWN COPING SKILLS AND RESSOURCES Take ownership Time management tips Create a balanced schedule, reponsibilities, daily tasks Don t over commit yourself. Distinguish between the «!shoulds!» and the «!musts!» Be willing to compromise, Delegate when possible Plan regular breaks, recovery phases Prioritize tasks, Break projets into small steps Start with the «!difficult task: Eat that Frog Set boundaries: Don t overextend yourself. Learn how to say no to requests on your time. If you find this difficult, remind yourself that saying no allows you to say yes to the things that you truly want to do Take a daily break from technology. Set a time each day when you completely disconnect. Put away your laptop, turn off your phone, and stop checking . Don t multitask Actively address problems: Take a proactive rather than a passive approach to issues in your workplace Clarify your job description: Ask for an updated description of your job duties and responsibilities. Point out things you re expected to do that are not part of your job description and gain a little leverage by showing that you ve been putting in work over and above the parameters of your job BRAIN BOOSTER

25 BURNOUT : The 3 «!R!» RECOGNIZE REVERSE & RECOVER RE CONNECT Identify signs of burnout Understanding & accepting Seek support: - Medical support - Psychotherapy - Coaching Build your resilience to stress: head/heart/body - Don t feel guilty - Learn and apply your own stress management strategies - Step back - Take care of your physical and emotional health BRAIN BOOSTER

26 Conclusion In Greek, crisis (Krisis) means decision, in Chinese & Japanese, danger and opportunity My deepest belief is that crisis can be an awesome opportunity to experience new patterns, accelerate a learning process, focus on the essential, develop creativity and implement deep evolutions I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. William Ernest Henley, in INVICTUS BRAIN BOOSTER

27 BRAIN BOOSTER Suzanne PETERS BRAIN BOOSTER