Work Related Stress And Counseling

Features of Work-Related Stress

Discuss about the Work Related Stress and Counseling.

Stress can be defined as a disturbance of individual’s mental or physical equilibrium as a result of a reaction to a given stimulus (Dorothy, 2013). A stressful event initiates biological responses, “fight-or-flight, that triggers hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline that flow through one’s body. According to John Shepherd Kim’s video on “How to manage work-related Stress,” he outlines several ways to manage work-related stress. This section will review the concepts presented in the video.

John suggests that work is a major component to an individual's psychological well-being as it provides one with social support, engage in physical and mental activities as well as gaining a sense of identity. According to research, is noted that work-related stress is one of the most assessed health risks in Singapore, as most professionals underperform in their daily tasks due to mismanagement of work-related stress. In episode 41, John presents us with how an individual can be classified as experiencing work-related stress. First, if one experiences fatigue he or she might be experiencing work-related stress. Arguably fatigue can arise from overworking or brain strain. Fatigue is a common workplace-related stress as individuals feel they are not able to achieve their daily tasks at a given moment. Additionally, another salient feature that is associated with work-related stress is multiple episodes of insomnia. Scholars define insomnia as a sleeping disorder where an individual experiences shortness in sleep (Pandi-Perumal & Kramer, 2010).

Furthermore, John states that workers who are diagnosed with work-related stress tend to experience multiple headaches and migraines associated with diarrhea. Stress as a disturbance t the physical well-being of an individual tends to alter the functioning of the body. Other bodily symptoms that depict work-related stress include constipation and multiple heart palpitations as postulated in the video. Additionally, there are other bodily symptoms of stress such nausea, chest pains, frequent colds and infections and loss of sexual desire and ability (Pandi-Perumal & Kramer, 2010).

Also, he asserts that pessimism and feelings to overwhelm encompassed with the inability to cope with work the daily work tasks as activities. Notably, with the dysfunctions of the physical activities an individual will experience feelings of being unable to complete tasks. Pessimism refers to feelings of hopelessness in accomplishing an objective. Therefore, it is evident that a stressed worker will automatically possess such symptoms.

To add on, John suggests that other symptoms result in work-related stress such as workers experiencing diminished creativity and inability to make rational decisions. When one is faced with a stressful event at work, he will tend to be less creative as the mind is settled for proper functioning. Furthermore, unsettled minds tend to create some discrepancies in making credible decisions. Such results to making risky decisions that might lead to a poor business performance regarding service delivery.

Stress Management: Video Review

Lastly, he emphasizes that work-related stress tends to be associated with irritability, reduced ability to make adequate decisions, diminished creativity, isolation, aggression, problems with interpersonal relationship with other workers. With these symptoms related to a person with work-stress, it is evident that an individual will depict poor work creativity that will lead to a drop in job performance.

According to the YouTube Video, John suggests crucial steps in starting a work-related stress management scheme. First, one has to identify the stressor. He suggests that one must be able to determine the source of work stress such as from the top most management or fellow workers, from physical issues such as commuting to work, or for a given work task. Scholars suggest that when one can identify a stressor, it will be much easier for him to manage the work-related stress. Furthermore, research suggests that individuals who are aware of their stressors tend to collaborate in counseling sessions accordingly and they recover from the stressful events (cite).

John suggests that if one can identify a stressor such as the “boss.” One must formulate queries to detect what elements in the stressor are the main cause of stress. Therefore, it is imperative to acknowledge the main cause of stress emerging for the “boss” and dealing with it at a personal level. As such if one can deal with the work-related stress from the boss he/she has achieved a milestone in the first stage of stress management. He adds on and says that if one identify that the work task is the main source of stress, it is an individual responsibility to change the parameters within the stressor.

Consequently, he stipulates the second stage, “tip” to managing work-related stress as a product of organization. He advises individuals that being organized helps one to have a clear mind. Organization skills are a significant component of work-related stress management. It is easier to avoid stressful events when one is fully organized. John suggests the use of to-do lists where individuals can be able to meet work task deadlines to avoid stressors such as accumulation of work tasks. The fourth step in managing stress as suggested by John in the video focusses on the balancing health and work. He suggests that one must take good care of himself when it comes to health matters so as to enjoy the fruits of their labor in a healthy state. Research suggest that workaholics tend to experience stressful events more often. Overdoing something will initiate some bodily dysfunction which might lead to poor health, as such, an individual will not be able to balance both parameters.

Reflection

Conclusively, John gives a fourth tip basing on the direction of stress. He proclaims that when one is stressed up it is not advisable to direct anger and aggression towards a family member or co-workers, instead, he should learn to share with them and in the process, he might get help. Alternatively, one can seek further support from family members or counseling firms so that they can contribute in managing stress levels. 

The video outline the building blocks that counselors can focus on during therapy sessions. Work-related stress has been a major issue with most corporate workers in Singapore. The video also acts a form of treatment which might help the client best understand the dynamics involved in managing work-related stress. In a workplace scenario, it evident that one can experience work overload and pressure from top management. Therefore, after viewing this video, I find it helpful in areas of one being able to identify a specific source of stress and being able to manage one’s own stress. Furthermore, the video reveals some simple tips that can help individuals manage stress at a personal level.  

Incorporating counseling skills in managing work-related stress is essential for any counselor. First, one must create a therapeutic relationship with the client. After creating a positive relation, a counselor must gather relevant data regarding work-related stress as specified in the video. Secondly, one has to set therapeutic goals in achieving the objective of letting the client out of the facility when he or she is stress-free. After goals are created, there is always room for restructuring or modeling the set goals of therapy by looking at alternatives through utilization of theories in psychology. Lastly, a generalized action must be postulated that will focus on treating the patient (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2013).

For the case study of Mary and Allen, the following table will outline the possible strengths and weakness of the counseling session.

Conclusion

Counseling skills are essential for the betterment of a therapeutic session with a client who tends to experience work-related stress. Work-related stress can be managed by an individual as well as seek family or counseling services depending on the nature of the source of stress. As per the video and the case study, it is important for individuals to understand themselves better and take good care of their health to avoid work-related stress.     

References

Dorothy, C. H. (2013). Formulation and Definition in Stress Management. In Stress Management: An Integrated Approach to Therapy (pp. 27-48). New York: Brunner/Mazel Inc.

Douglas, B., Woolfe, R., Strawbridge, S., Kasket, E., & Galbraith, V. (2016). The Handbook of Counselling Psychology. SAGE Publishers.

Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2013). Intentional interviewing and counseling: Facilitating client development in a multicultural society. Nelson Education.

Pandi-Perumal, S. R., & Kramer, M. (2010). Sleep and mental illness. London: Cambridge University Press.