Reducing stress by stress management training
A common approach to reducing stress in the workplace is to offer employees stress
management training courses, a form of intervention that is not unique to the
workplace. There is no set format for these courses and they are likely to include
information about the nature of stress and a series of emotion-focused and problem-
focused coping strategies (see also Chapter 5).
Emotion-focused techniques typically involve some form of relaxation training. This
frequently involves a technique known as progressive muscle relaxation, in which
individuals are instructed to focus on specific groups of muscles in turn and
progressively tense them and then release the tension (e.g. ‘clench your fist as tight as
you can, then let it go’). Finally, they aim to tense and release all muscles together.
Relaxation may be accompanied by the use of music or visualization techniques (e.g.
‘imagine you are lying on a beach, you can hear the waves in the distance and feel
the gentle breeze’). Tapes are also available for people to use these techniques at home.
Biofeedback is also sometimes used as an adjunct to relaxation. This gives individuals
continuous feedback throughout a relaxation session about physiological processes such
as muscle tension or blood pressure.
Problem-focused techniques can include techniques such as assertiveness or teaching
time management skills (see Chapter 9). However, the most commonly used tech -
niques are derived from cognitive behaviour therapy, which seek to alter people’s
STRESS AND HEALTH IN CONTEXT 83TABLE 4.1UK Health and Safety Executive Management Standards (HSE, 2007)
Stressor area Description The standard
Demands Includes workload, work patterns Employees indicate that they are
and work environment able to cope with the demands of
their jobs
Control How much say the person has Employees indicate that they have a
in the way they do their work say about the way they do their work
Support Includes the encouragement, Employees indicate that they receive
sponsorship and resources adequate information and support
provided by the organization, from their colleagues and superiors
line management and colleagues
Relationship Includes promoting positive Employees indicate that they are
working to avoid conflict and not subjected to unacceptable
dealing with unacceptable behaviours, e.g. bullying at work
behaviour
Role Whether people understand their Employees indicate that they
role within the organization and understand their role and
whether the organization ensures responsibilities
that the person does not have
conflicting roles
Change How organizational change Employees indicate that the
(large or small) is managed and organization engages them
communicated in the organization frequently when undergoing an
organizational change