Stress & Resilience

“One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important" - Bertrand Russell

Here at Maximum Performance, we regularly offer free, bite-sized webinars so you can sample our training materials and approach. In December, our free webinar focuses on stress and resilience in the workplace.

In 2019-20 (the most recent figures available) the Health & Safety Executive found that the average time off work for stress-related reasons is 21.6 days. What’s more, stress was the reason for half of all days off sick for the same period. It’s always a good time to think about tackling stress at work…

Stress is…

Whatever the job role or function – sales, customer service, production, marketing, communications, human resources, etc. – there’s potential stress waiting to happen. MIND offers two complementary definitions of stress:

“Situations for events that put pressure on us – times when we have lots to do and think about, or don’t have much control over what happens.”

This describes the stress that comes from the pressure of external events and other people.

“Our reaction to being placed under pressure – the feelings we get when we have demands placed upon us that find difficult to cope with.”

And this describes the stress that we generate ourselves in how we respond to our circumstances. Two sides of the coin.

As to recognising stress, the symptoms are many and varied and often personal. However, some common signs are?memory loss, inability to concentrate, insomnia or lack of sleep, headache, backache, general fatigue, feelings of anxiety… If you see any of these signs, in yourself or others, it’s worth looking at the circumstances asking yourself if stress is the cause.

Building resilience

Resilience is often touted as the right response to stress. It’s also preventative – the more resilient your attitude, the less likely you are to become stressed. But what is resilience? It’s not just being stoic, nor is it a case of not showing any signs of stress.

Resilience is an attitude built on

• Optimism
• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Durability
• Learning from every situation
• An openness to opportunity

All of which can be practiced, developed and nurtured to achieve a more resilient state.

A resilient person is less likely to recoil from problems – they tend to cope with setbacks, stay in control, bounce back, come up with a fresh plan or idea, and come out the other side with learning from the experience.

Resilient people feel more confident and motivated. They have fewer mental blocks or limiting beliefs. They have energy, they’re creative, and they’re much more likely to have a strong work-life balance.

Resilience starter tips

To work on your resilience, first take stock with a quick ‘self-audit’:

1. What’s causing you stress right now?
2. What are your strengths?
3. What key resources do you have?
4. What influence do you have, and with whom?
5. How can you reframe setbacks more positively?
6. How can you change your approach to your stressors?

You should also keep the big picture in mind. It’s difficult when you’re in the middle of a stressful moment or episode but perspective helps (stress by its nature magnifies its own significance). Also, think about your support network; the people willing to help you, and be helped by you. Finally, get some sleep. It sounds simplistic but sleep really helps your physical health and mental functioning.

Don’t ignore your stress

Building resilience improves confidence (in your own competence and judgement), aids focus and concentration (i.e. better and more effective working), and will reduce the impact of stressful situations and unexpected changes.

Our free ‘Stress and Resilience’ webinar takes place on 2 December 2022, from 10.00am to 10.45am; you can book your place?here. Also, feel free to check out our?wellbeing and resilience page?or give us a call on?01582 463460. We’re here to help.

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