Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Stress Management Report
Stress Management Report
SAMARPAN ACADEMY
(Affiliated to TU University)
SUBMITTED BY:
PRATIGGYA NEPAL
This Report "Stress Management” is prepared for the partial fulfillment of the
requirement for the Master's Degree in Crisis Management Studies in Institute of Crisis
Management Studies (ICMS). The study would not have been initiated without the
supervision, guidance, cooperation and assistance of several individuals and the institution.
First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of ICMS for providing an
opportunity to participate in the one-day seminar on stress management.
Similarly, I am deeply indebted to Prof Dr. Ram Thapaliya and Mr Kapil Sharma, Graduate
Assistant and Research fellow for the Master's in Counseling Psychology and coordinator
of ICMS respectively, for imparting academic and practical insights in understanding
dimensions of crisis and contemporary security paradigms and crisis interventions.
I express my sincere gratitude to our lecturer respected Mrs Rupa Pradhan Chhetri, Dr.
Prabhakar Pokhrel, Dr. Chintamani Gautam & Mr. Ganesh Amgain visiting faculty of
ICMS, for his warm, deliberate lecture and discussion on stress management, without
whom this report would not have been possible. I am also grateful to Dr. Chintamani Yogi
Founding principal – Hindu Vidyapeeth-Nepal for providing the wonderful presentation on
the seminar which emphasized on facts about the stress management.
Last but not the least, we are equally indebted and highly obligated to all the staffs of
ICMS college and our colleagues for their inspiration, cooperation and remarkable
suggestions regarding this report.
ii
Abstract
This report provides an overview of the two-day seminar on stress management. This
seminar gives an idea on stress, its consequences and its relation with the crisis managers at
the time of crisis situation. Different perspective of managing stress at the time of crisis is
the main theme of the seminar.
Stress is the subjective feeling of being under too much mental emotional pressure.
Different signs of stress are problems in the sleeping patter, eating habits, Behavioral
problems like an increase or decrease in activity level, substance use or abuse iterability
etc. physical problems like gastrointestinal problems, headaches, body pains, sweating,
weight loss or gain, headaches etc. psychological and emotional like feeling euphoric,
denial, anxiety or fear, depression, grief, apathy etc. social problems like blaming, isolation
etc.
Stress can be managed by going through the different religious philosophy, for example
Hinduism and Buddhism. Whether yoga, mindfulness meditation, or sound healing
programs, they help you ease work-related stress that sometimes causes you torment. They
allow you to slow down your thoughts and relax.
It’s well know today that stress is a silent killer and causes things from inflammation in the
heart to psychological distress. But you can avoid these terrible effects by taking simple
measures like dancing. And nothing makes you feel less stressed than when you know
you’re doing great things for your physical and mental health
iii
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 1-2
1.2 Objectives 2
CHAPTER-3 METHODOLOGY 7
CHAPTER – 5 CONCLUSIONS 15
REFERENCES 16-17
AGENDA 18-19
PHOTOGRAPHS 20 - 24
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Crisis refers to "an upset in the steady state." It often has five components: a hazardous or
traumatic event, a vulnerable or unbalanced state, a precipitating factor, an active crisis
state based on the person's perception, and the resolution of the crisis. Roberts (2005,)
Crisis is any transient situation that requires the reorganization of one’s psychological
structure and behavior, it causes a sudden alteration in the person’s expectation of self, and
that is unable to handle with usual coping mechanism.
Crisis management includes identifying the real nature of a current crisis, intervening to
minimize damage and recovering from the crisis. It provides sense of understanding and
some sense of control that the crisis is reduced to something manageable.
During a crisis, normal ways of dealing with the world are suddenly interrupted.
R eactions and responses to crises are time-limited, but it may persist as symptoms of
post-traumatic stress. Crises are universal and can affect people from all cultures; but
culture plays a strong role to react and cope with the crisis.
1
The recovery process is speedy if the support system is strong and help an individual to
cope the situation that is offered by their communities.
Before 1970s stress was termed as psychological disorder which would be normal in
certain time duration and the disorder was termed as mental illness. During that periods it
was believed that the psychological disorder heals on itself leaving no long-term effect in
certain time period. After 1970’s the paradigm shifted and the psychological trauma or
stress was seen differently and managed accordingly.
The general objective of the study is to describe the stress explain its consequences in
relation to the crisis manager. However, the specific objectives are as follows: -
1.2.3 To know about the stress management in terms of Buddhism and Hinduism
2.1. A 32 pages article under the title of “Stress in crisis managers: Evidence from self-
report and psychophysiological assessments” authored by A.Janka, C. Adler, L. Fischer,
P. Perakakis, P. Guerra, and S. Duschek published in Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Key words.
Crisis management, stress, major incident, electrodermal activity, respiratory
Empirical review.
The aim of the article is to investigate self-reported stress and psychophysiological stress
responses in crisis managers. For this purpose, 30 crisis managers were compared
with 30 managers from other disciplines, in terms of self-reported stress, health status
and psychophysiological reactivity to crisis-related and non-specific visual and acoustic
aversive stimuli and cognitive challenge. The authors have based their analysis done to
determine self-reported stress, by using the German version of the Perceived Stress
Questionnaire, Experimental Stress Induction method was applied. Along with this,
Psychophysiological r e c o r d i n g s were done by using a Biopac system (MP 150,
Biopac Systems Inc., USA). In this system the authors were assessed heart rate and
electrodermal activity (EDA). Heart rate was taken using ECG, which was recorded
from two electrodes placed at the right mid-clavicle and lowest left rib.
This study revealed evidence of lower stress levels, a more positive strain-recuperation-
balance, greater social resources, reduced physical symptoms, as well as more physical
exercise and less alcohol consumption by crisis managers. They exhibited diminished
electrodermal and heart rate responses to crisis-related and non-specific stressors. The
results indicate reduced stress and physical complaints, diminished
psychophysiological stress reactivity, and a healthier lifestyle in crisis managers. This
study showed that stress resistance may limit vulnerability to stress-related performance
decline and facilitate preparedness for major incidents.
3
2.2 A journal article written by the authors, Mirjam Haus, Christine Adler, Maria Hagl
and Markos Maragkos, on the topic of “Stress and stress management in European crisis
managers”, published in the International Journal of Emergency Services, Vol. 5 Issue: 1,
pp.66-81.
Empirical review
In this research paper, the authors examine the specific stresses and demands, perceived
control, received support and stress management strategies of crisis managers in the context
of large scale missions.
A qualitative study was used and data was collected from total 31 crisis managers by
interviewing the semi- structured questionnaire. The researcher collected data from five
European countries.
This research paper identified, event specific stressors, group specific and occupational
stressors are the major sources of stress to the crisis managers.
Regarding perceived control, study revealed that there were limited possibilities to fully
control the situation. The cause of stress was lack of control which was experienced in the
beginning of the disaster operation and also depends on scale of the disaster.
This research paper also explained that organization and peer support played a vital role to
reduce the sources of stressors to the crisis managers during the time of disasters.
This study also finds out that the crisis managers need to competently cope with the high
levels of stress related to disaster missions. They also addressed the importance of stress
management techniques to effectively manage a disaster. Several crisis managers
mentioned that they had not received any stress management training and would not apply
any specific strategies; or if they did, they had learned them by themselves: so, this study
emphasized for the comprehensive stress management training for the crisis managers.
2.3 On book name Nursing Concepts Theories and Principles written by Lalita Rai, “Stress
and Crisis”.
4
Empirical review
In this book Writer explained about the term stress and crisis and talks about the stressors
and shows the way how to manage the stress during crisis situation.
Stressors: Stressors are the situation that are experienced as a perceived threat to one’s
wellbeing or position in life. It can vary from person to person stressor can be classified as
internal stressor like fever, pregnancy, menopause etc., which are originate inside a person
self. Another is external stressor like family role, social role, peer rejection, environmental
change etc., which are originate outside a person. Other forms of stressors are physical
stressors, psychological stressor, financial, spiritual, social stressors.
Crisis is the difficulty time at which the problem is uncertainty, this problem must be
solved and decisions should be made. It is the time when problem, bad situation or an
illness is at the peak of worst point.
According to Hindu approach, Crises or any tragedy are due to the will power of God.
Tragedy is due to the result of previous Karma. There is opportunity for recovery by acting
with strength and morality.
According to Bhagvad Gita, a holy book of Hind, Lord Krishna says that whatever the
human face or any things happens in the world is due to the will of God. So, everyone
should surrender the God and fate should be accepted calmly.
Gurus are spiritual counsellor in Hinduism. Others forms are Gemology, Palmistry and
Astrology to find the solution to any problem even though these measures are irrational to
cope with stress, they serve as useful.
Friends, relatives are also providing informal support by visiting the family, offering
services etc. for example during the time of death relatives are visiting to the person and
they counsel them to stay stronger which is also one of the coping mechanism.
Individual with mental health problems couldn’t get support because these problems are
considered due to the fault of characters or the result of a lapse in a family’s child rearing
style.
6
Chapter 3 Methods
3.1 Methods:
In order to write the report on stress management qualitative method is adopted to collect
relevant textual data from various sources.
This report is based on the seminar of “Stress Management”, two day seminar held in
secondary data analysis and the data are collected from articles, journals, newspapers and
slides presented in seminar. This report is also the outcome of lecture discussion and
Dizziness
Headache, muscle ache
backache, tightness of chest
Heaviness of limbs, tremors
Palpitations
Cold sensation of limbs
Tingling sensation,
8
Numbness of skin
Poor digestion,
loss of appetite
Difficulty to concentrate
Hyper vigilance /hyper alertness
Fearful response to small stimuli
Altered sleep
Sight, hearing, and other senses become sharper
Irritable, fearful, angry, quarrelsome
Stress as condition in which there is marked discrepancy between the demands made on
organism and the organism’s capability to respond (Bloom et al, 1985). Those events that
are either indicative of or require significant change in the ongoing life pattern of the
individual (Holmes and Rahe et al, 1967).
Dr. Pokharel also explained about the coping skills need during stressful situation. Coping
strategies are the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that are used to adjust to the changes
that occur in our life
He further highlighted about the newer definition of the mental/ defense mechanism.
Defense mechanisms are cognitive processes that function to protect the individual from
excessive anxiety or other negative emotions. They also protect the person from loss of
self-esteem and, in the extreme, the loss of self-integration. Different methods of defense
mechanism are denial Projection and he further elaborated the Post Traumatic Disorder
Syndrome (PTDS) and it’s about the stress full situation occurred in the victims of, rape,
torture, halluces, disasters etc.
9
Mrs Rupa Pradhan Chhetri who holds an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology from IOM,
Tribhuvan university presented the intervention of stress, approaches and recovery methods
in the crisis situation. She discussed about the crisis intervention model including the seven
stages of crisis. The further elaboration of the psychosocial Well-being of Crisis
Professional explained about the reasons for stress at work. They are as follows.
Overwhelming responsibilities
Mrs Chhetri mentioned about the seven stages of the crisis intervention model in handling
the stress in the crisis situation.
10
This session was taken by Mausam Shakya, He explained about the Buddhism and its
importance in stress management during normal as well as in crisis situation. According to
the lecture and discussion in the seminar following are learned. Seven Buddhist coping
strategies are:
Morality: Practicing right speech, right action, and right livelihood, and doing these things
with good intention.
Fatalistic Karma: Feeling a sense of helplessness, that one’s past actions have led to
one’s current state, and there is nothing one can do to avoid those consequences.
The most effective coping strategies are cultivating lovingkindness (metta), or being non-
judgmental, compassionate, kind to oneself and others; right understanding, or trying to see
the world as it truly is; and reflecting on impermanence.
12
Seven coping strategies are
Ati parishram, Anidra, Apathya Bhojan, Amarjodi Priwar, Avyavasthith Jeevan saili,
Aswastha Vatavaran, Ati Aakanchhaya, Aasakti, Ahamkar, Akalpaniya Ghatna, Aswastha
Awastha are the reason behind the stress. To resolve these reasons of stress a human have
to follow the following so that stress can be managed and a good quality of life can
manage. Pani, Pranayam, parishram, Prem, Parathana, Aahar, Vihar, Vyavahar, Vichal,
Satsang, Sankapla, Saha Jeevan.
This session was taken by Mr Ganesh Amgain & the team. He explained about the
importance of dance in oneself to release the stress. Dancing is like any other physical
activity releases the neurotransmitter, endorphins (also called happy hormones), which
serve to reduce stress and cause our bodies to feel calm, happy and optimistic. Dance
movement therapy (DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement, based on the
assumption of the
13
interconnection of body and mind, and the healing power of dance. DMT is a holistic
approach to healing, based on the assertion that mind, body and spirit are inseparable &
interconnected.
According to Chace, “dance is a communication and this fulfilled a basic human need”
(Chaiklin & Schmais, 1979, p. 16; Levy, 1988, p. 21). In addition to respecting and
believing in healthy aspects of the individual, she had the intuition and skill to connect with
patients through verbal and non-verbal communication, such as observing and responding
to the patients’ small and distinctive movements and gestures. Through her profound ability
to use dance movement for self-expression and her capacity for perception and interaction,
she enabled patients to come out of their psychotic isolation (Levy, 1988).
Theme
Warm Up Closure
Development
14
Chapter 5: Conclusion
Stress management is major and key issues during the emergency period. Stress can be
successfully managed if a manager self is managed firs and it is better to make a plan for
prevention and mitigation of different types of crisis. a solid understanding of roles and
responsibilities, support for colleagues, good self-care, and seeking help when needed is
very much important for managing the stress during crisis time.
Stressors may be different and unique while handling crisis so different cultural aspects
should be taken and manage the stress of general public accordingly for example while
handling stress of Hindu people, Hindu philosophy of managing stress is useful rather than
others.
An optimum level of stress can act as a creative, motivational force that drives a person to
achieve the desire goals and objectives. If stress is extreme and not managed, some
individuals may experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Crisis managers are
always in a state of physical and emotional fatigue, during the time of crisis management
and some time they are unaware about the level of stress that they are bearing in their own
life. It is important to give time for self and to the other in a managed way so that crisis
managers could handle the situation effectively.
15
References
Bodhipaksa. “Buddhist Strategies for Coping with Stress.” Wildmind, June 4, 2008.
https://www.wildmind.org/blogs/on-practice/buddhist-strategies-for-coping-with-stress.
Haus, Mirjam, Christine Adler, Maria Hagl, Markos Maragkos, and Stefan Duschek. “Stress and
Stress Management in European Crisis Managers.” International Journal of Emergency
Services 5, no. 1 (May 3, 2016): 66–81. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJES-12-2015-0026.
Janka, A., C. Adler, L. Fischer, P. Perakakis, P. Guerra, and S. Duschek. “Stress in Crisis
Managers: Evidence from Self-Report and Psychophysiological Assessments.” Journal of
Behavioral Medicine 38, no. 6 (December 2015): 970–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-
015-9654-1.
Lalita Rai. Nursing Concepts Theories and Principles. Nabin Kumar Rai, 2010.
“Resilence Resources for Emergency Response | Managing Stress During A Crisis - A Guide for
Supervisors | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Accessed June 2, 2018.
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/resilience_resources/
support_documents/supervisorintra/intradeployment_supervisors.html.
16
“Spirituality, Bhagavad Gita And Management, Hinduism, Vedas.” Accessed June 10, 2018.
http://1stholistic.com/Prayer/hol_bhagavad-gita-and-management.htm.
“Stress: Why Does It Happen and How Can We Manage It?” Medical News Today. Accessed
June 9, 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145855.php.
AGENDA
Learning Objective: At the end of the session, participants will be able to describe “Risk
factors related to Stress and Stress Management Approach.