Handling Stress in Today’s Economic Environment

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Handling Stress in Today’s Economic Environment Larry Long, Ph.D., Senior Director/Psychologist Counseling & Educational Support Services University of Kansas Medical Center

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Handling Stress in Today’s Economic Environment. Larry Long, Ph.D., Senior Director/Psychologist Counseling & Educational Support Services University of Kansas Medical Center. Some days go like this…. http://www.adbusters.org/media/flash/slow_down_week/. Who? Me?.... STRESSED?!?!?!. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Handling Stress in Today’s Economic Environment

Page 1: Handling Stress in Today’s Economic Environment

Handling Stress in Today’s Economic Environment

Larry Long, Ph.D., Senior Director/Psychologist

Counseling & Educational Support Services

University of Kansas Medical Center

Page 3: Handling Stress in Today’s Economic Environment

Who?

Me?....STRESSED?!?!?!• Potential Warning Signs of

Stress

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What Stresses You?

Top 3 Things That Add Stress

To Your Life?

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How Would Your Life Be Different Without

These Stressors?

Some Level of Stress is Necessary to be

Effective.

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Optimal Stress Level

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What Is Burn Out?

•Chronic (lifestyle) pattern of high output and lower rewards. •What lifestyle are you building now?

“All Work & No Play Doesn’t Just Make Jack Dull.

Jack becomes depleted, his work suffers, & his marriage falls apart.”

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Stress Response

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Today’s Economy & Stress

• 80% of Americans say money and the economy are two significant stressors in their lives

• Guess the common reactions to difficult financial times?

• How might stress reactions lead to a person’s finances stay the same (or get worse)?

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Elite Performers: How do they manage stress?

•Balanced (deliberate) lifestyle (i.e., nutrition & sleep)

•Knowledgeable of sport•Effective performance skills•High dispositional hope (i.e., will power / way power)

* Gould, D., Dieffenbach, K., & Moffett, A. (2002). Psychological characteristics and their development in Olympic champions. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 14, 172-204.

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Attributes of Elite Performers*

•High determination & commitment

•Effective moderation of mood states

•Excellent ability to concentrate & focus

•Uses positive imagery & self-talk

•Moderate (or adaptive) perfectionism* Gould, D., Dieffenbach, K., & Moffett, A. (2002). Psychological characteristics and their development in Olympic champions. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 14, 172-204.

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Take Charge!

• Active Coping and Controlling What’s Controllable

• Managing Time, Prioritizing, Taking Action

• Adaptation is Key to Success

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Active Coping

• Active Versus Passive Coping

• Locus of Control: Focusing upon what you can do about it!

• Gratitude Journaling

• Building Dispositional Hope

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• What is your internal dialogue now?

• Manage Distracting / Negative Thinking

• Constructing a new internal dialogue– Thought stopping– Cognitive restructuring

Using Self Talk (Active Coping)

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How do you “turn off” your mind & let go?

Developing Your Mental Skills to

Compartmentalize

“Turning It Off”

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Do The Math! (Managing Time)•168 hours in a week•If you go to sleep at 11 PM and wake at 6 AM, you have 119 hours awake•Where do you invest your time

–Work = ?–Family / Partner Hours = ? –Leisure Hours = ?

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How do you manage your time?

• Use a daily planner

• Establish a realistic plan that includes work time, sleep, family/friends, exercise and fun

• Set priorities– Identify what you can let go of– Put it at the bottom of the list

• Use your social supports– Groups hold you accountable

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Adaptation (When they move your cheese)

• Be sure it’s wise / safe to share your upset about change– Grief over change is to be expected

• Change your mental outlook– Change/Crisis = Opportunity

• Keep site of your big picture goals as you determine new pathways to them

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Making A (Lifestyle) Change: 101

•Start by adjusting what you’re currently doing – add new “stress reducers” may add more stress.

•Add a little at a time, tweak as you go, & focus upon maintenance.

•Focus is both short and long-term.

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Contact info:

Larry Long, [email protected]

Other Resource for KUMC Employees:HealthQuest – Stress Management1-888-275-1205

For KU Hospital Employees:See your HR Staff member to be referred to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)