We’re all familiar with the physical health effects stress has on us including: sleeplessness & fatigue, frequent cold & flu-like symptoms, back pain, appetite changes and anxiety. However, the hidden effects of stress impact not only our health and wellbeing, but also our business profits.
Emotional intelligence and quick yet well thought out decision-making, are crucial skills for business leaders. However, what if the effects of stress were so widespread that these skills weren¹t being used effectively in the workplace?
When we experience stress, the HPA Axis (Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis) is the first system of the body that protects us from external threats. It sends a message to the Pituitary gland, which then sends a message to the Adrenal glands. This is when the body¹s “fight or flight”response starts to work. In response, the Adrenal glands release their stress hormones into the blood, constricting the blood vessels of the digestive tract, and forcing the energy in the blood to the arms and legs, to get us out of danger.
When the HPA Axis is “on” all the time (due to stress) it also interferes with our ability to think logically and with reason. Our sense of focus and clarity diminishes. We¹re not able to process information in the frontal brain as quickly and easily as when we¹re not stressed. The Adrenal stress hormones constrict the blood vessels in the frontal brain and they activate the hindbrain, which most effectively controls our “fight or flight” responses.
With the frontal brain being responsible for: motor functions, higher order functions, planning, reasoning, judgment, impulse control and memory, it¹s easy to understand why we need to have it functioning well.
Ponder for a moment of what implications this has for our businesses. If we’re stressed, our memory, judgement and reasoning will be affected. No matter how hard we exert our will power and self-control, our physiological processes won¹t allow us to as thoughtful and considered as we would like!
Logically we think we can deal with extra stress, we may even thrive on challenge and pressure! However, the HPA Axis wasn’t designed to be constantly active. In today’s world, we’re constantly “under threat” with irresolvable problems and worries that don¹t necessarily impact our immediate survival, yet we perceive them as being a threat and so the HPA Axis activates. This results in our bodies being constantly in a state of “fight or flight”, resulting in high levels of stress, illness and foggy thinking.
We have trouble concentrating, make short-sighted and biased judgments, and have difficulty accurately assessing the potential risks and gains associated with different courses of action. What impact is this having on our business profits? Are our decisions as clear and focused as they should be? Would they be more effective if we were less stressed.<
Regular stress management will “bullet-proof” us against stress, however, it must be done regularly – not just when the stress spirals out of control. Studies into the effects of various stress management techniques have found that the results of these will last longer if they’re practiced every day.
Stress management techniques include mindfulness-training, exercise, taking time for a hobby or being with friends and family. All of these activities have one thing in common; they keep us “in the present moment”. This helps us work out what we can and can’t control in our lives.
By actively managing our stress, we can improve our health, wellbeing and business success in 2010 and beyond.
Do you have any effective stress management techniques you would like to share?
Author Bio: Kylie Saunder is passionate about inspiring and empowering her clients using her breakthrough techniques and training methods that have been developed from her experience in the Corporate, Fitness, Pilates & Wellness industries. To find out more about Kylie, visit her online at www.businesswellbeing.com.au.
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