Stress*

1
Stress

• Any emotional, physical, social, economic, or
  other factor that necessitates a response or
  change.
• Anderson, 2002

2
Six Myths About Stress

• Myth 1 Stress is the same for everyone.
• Stress is different for each of us and
  depends on perception and response.
• Myth 2 Stress is always bad for you.
• Managed stress (arousal) makes us
  productive and happy. Mismanaged stress can
• hurt or even prove to be lethal.
• Myth 3 Stress is everywhere, so you cant do
  anything about it.
• Effective planning of Lifes priorities
  precludes stress from becoming overwhleming.
• Myth 4 The most popular techniques for reducing
  stress are best.
• No Universally effective stress
  reduction techniques exists. Only a comprehensive
• program tailored to the individual is
  effective.
• Myth 5 No symptoms, no stress.
• An absense of stress symptoms does not
  equate to an absence of stress, and
• covering of symptoms with medication
  could negate important physicogical
• warning signs.
• Myth 6 Only major symptoms of stress require
  attention.
• Minor symptoms of stress are early
  signals that actions should be taken to better
• manage stress.

3
Twelve Greatest Causes of Stress

• Death of a spouse
• Divorce
• Marital separation
• Jail term
• Death of a close family member
• Personal injury or illness

• Marriage
• Dismissal from work
• Marital reconciliation
• Retirement
• Change in health of family member
• Pregnancy

4
Stress Assessment

• Death of spouse (100)
• Divorce (73)
• Martial separation (65)
• Jail term (63)
• Death of close family member (63)
• Marriage (50)
• Getting fired (47)
• Marital reconciliation (45)
• Retirement (45)
• Change in family members health (44)
• Death of a close friend (37)
• New line of work (36)
• Change in financial status (35)
• Change in number of arguments (35)
• ( ) stress points or life change units
• Respondents with scores of 300 fell seriously
  ill within 12 months following test.

• Mortgage loan (31)
• Foreclosure (30)
• Change in work responsibilities (29)
• Son or daughter leaving home (29)
• Trouble with in-laws (29)
• Spouse begins or stops work (26)
• Change in living conditions (25)
• Trouble with boss (23)
• Change in work hrs. or conditions (20)
• Change in residence (20)
• Auto loan or other small loan (17)
• Change in sleeping habits (16)
• Holiday season (12)
• Minor traffic violation (11)
• Drs. Thomas Holmes Richard Rahe, US Navy

5
Some Proven Stress Reducers

• Get up a little earlier
• Write things down
• Restrict use of caffeine
• Dont procrastinate
• Plan ahead
• Fix whatevers been bugging you!
• Have contingency plans
• Relax your standards
• Try saying NO
• Put more order in your life. Simplify
• Select an environment in concert with your
  personal needs and desires
• Learn to delegate
• Take a break!
• Learn to welcome change!

• Count your blessings! For each problem, there are
  probably 10 to 30 or 50 blessings!
• Turn needs into preferences
• Get plenty of sleep
• Try relaxing techniques
• Live one day at a time
• Do something you really enjoy everyday
• Focus
• Add a little love to whatever you do
• Stop destructive self-talk
• Allow time for yourself
• Be an optimist
• Do something nice for someone else
• Forgive, then forget!

6
Dangers Of Stress In Aviation

• Impaired Judgment decision making.
• Reduces ability to fight off illness.
• Reduces alertness/increased reaction time.
• Loss of situational awareness.
• Fixation/Inattention
• Compromised performance
• Loss of initiative/indifference.

7
A great time to relax is when you dont have time
for it - Sydney Harris
8
Aircraft Maintenance Technical Operations
Human FactorsRoger Hughes, Manager