The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a model that describes the body’s response to stress. It consists of three stages
- Alarm: This is the initial “fight-or-flight” response to a stressor. The body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare it to either confront the threat or flee from it. Heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing increase, while non-essential functions like digestion slow down.
- Resistance: If the stressor persists, the body enters the resistance stage. It tries to adapt and cope with the stressor, but this requires a lot of energy. The body remains on high alert, but outwardly, the person may appear to be functioning normally. However, they may experience irritability, difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems.
- Exhaustion: If the stressor continues for a prolonged period, the body’s resources become depleted, and it enters the exhaustion stage. This can lead to physical and mental health problems, such as burnout, depression, anxiety, and weakened immunity.
Impact of Stress on Work Performance
Employees experiencing negative stress (distress) often show signs of decreased performance at work. In the alarm and resistance stages, this might manifest as inattentiveness, carelessness, and increased errors. As stress progresses to the exhaustion stage, employees may experience burnout, characterized by:
- Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained and depleted.
- Cynicism and detachment: Developing a negative attitude towards work and colleagues.
- Reduced personal accomplishment: Feeling incompetent and lacking a sense of achievement.
Positive Stress (Eustress)
It’s important to remember that not all stress is bad. Eustress, or positive stress, can be motivating and lead to increased effort and performance. Challenges at work, such as taking on a new project or striving for a promotion, can be sources of eustress. However, even eustress, if excessive or prolonged, can lead to exhaustion and burnout.
Sources of Workplace Stress
- Environmental Stress Factors: These can stem from external factors like economic uncertainty, political instability, or rapid technological advancements. These factors can create a sense of insecurity and anxiety, leading to decreased performance.
- Organizational Stress Factors: These originate within the workplace itself. Examples include:
- Downsizing and restructuring: The threat of job loss or increased workload can create significant stress.
- Poor management practices: Lack of communication, unclear expectations, and unfair treatment can contribute to a stressful work environment.
- Workplace conflict: Interpersonal conflicts and bullying can cause significant distress.
- Heavy workload and long hours: Excessive demands and pressure to meet deadlines can lead to burnout.
Personality and Stress
- Type A Personalities: Individuals with Type A personalities tend to be competitive, ambitious, and driven. They may have a sense of urgency and be easily frustrated. While these traits can be beneficial in some situations, Type A personalities may be more susceptible to stress-related health problems. In extreme cases, some Type A individuals may exhibit Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), characterized by outbursts of anger disproportionate to the situation.
- Type B Personalities: Type B personalities are generally more relaxed, patient, and easygoing. They tend to be better at managing stress and are less likely to experience its negative health consequences.
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