Avoiding stress in a relationship
Featured in the Partnerships at Work training manual
By Ken Birkett & Val Rowland
Category: Performance Management
Credit price: 3 download credits (Single user)
Stress has been defined as a misfit between the individual and their environment. An external event, such as a row with a colleague, being on a tight deadline, dealing with a difficult customer, or being given too much to do, may all be examples of stressful situations. A survey conducted among subscribers to ‘Management Today’, found that the majority of Britain’s managers are concerned about the balance between work and home life. Some managers suffering stress themselves admit to telling their problems to people they are responsible for at work. On the other hand, stress is not necessarily a bad thing. We all need a certain amount of stress to get up in the morning and to motivate us. Too much stress is what is of concern. This happens when the demands become too great. Each individual has a different way of coping with too much stress, and people vary in their ability to cope at different times. If managers and those who are managed have the means by which they can minimise potential stress problems, then organisations will benefit as well as people.
You begin this training activity with an explanation of the meaning of stress. You then ask participants to work in pairs discussing situations that may cause a person stress at work. They report back and you summarise the discussion, adding anything that may have been missed. You next move on to some of the ways that an individual can improve their means of coping with potentially stressful situations. You ask participants to work in groups on a mini case-study concerned with what can help individuals cope with stress. They report back and you then offer suggestions for stress self-management. You then move on to relaxation. You ask participants to work in pairs thinking of some possibilities for relaxation. You ask them for some suggestions and then you give some examples. You then ask participants to read a personal relaxation exercise method. You ask them to move as far away from each other as possible to try it out. When they have finished you tell them that when they return to the workplace it may be useful as a means of coping with stress. Following this you ask them to work in pairs to discuss what the benefits would be for someone suffering from stress. You ask for some examples and follow this with input on both physical and mental effects. You finish this training activity with a round-up and summary of the key learning points, and remind participants that they can use the relaxation exercise at work whenever they feel the need.
Who is it for: This training activity is intended for use by trainers to help participants avoid stress in their working relationships.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 6 |
| Max Group Size: | 12 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:20:00 |
| No of Pages: | 20 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Purpose: This training activity can be used in any management development programme or for individual self-development.
Download the training activity, Avoiding stress in a relationship as featured in the Fenman training manual; Partnerships at Work