Assignment

On

Stress: Sources of Stress and Stress Management

Course Name: Management and Organizational Behavior

Course Code: EMBA-503

Submitted To

Prof. Dr. Asoke Kumar Saha

Professor Department of Psychology

Jagganath University, Dhaka

Submitted By

Name: Md. Muminur Rahman

ID: 2021-1-91-041

EMBA

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 Stress:
Sources of Stress
and
Stress Management

Total Word Count: 5600

Total Pages: 22
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 Table of Content

Content Name Page No.

3
1. Letter of Transmittal

2. Executive Summary 4-5

3. Introduction 5

4. Definition of Stress 7
5. Sources of Stress 7-9
6. Causes of Stresses 9-13
7. Symptoms of Stress 14-16
8. Approaches to Stress Management 16-20
9. Conclusion 20
10. Reference List 21-23

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 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
To
Prof. Dr. Asoke Kumar Saha
EMBA Program
East West University
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Subject: Submission of the assignment on “Stress: Sources of Stress and Stress Management”

Dear Sir,
It is my great pleasure to submit the assignment on “Stress: Sources of Stress and Stress
Management”. Throughout the process of preparing the assignment report I have tried with the
best of my capacity to accommodate as much information and relevant issues as possible and
tried to follow the instructions as you have suggested. I sincerely believe that it will satisfy your
requirements and will also serve the purpose of my assignment.

I am grateful to you for your guidance and kind cooperation at every step of my endeavor on this
assignment. I shall remain deeply grateful if you kindly go through the assignment and evaluate
my performance.

Sincerely Yours,
Md. Muminur Rahman

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 Executive Summary
Stress can be defined in many ways. Stress can be defined as the pressure of the workplace or
home. Stress can also be defined as the strain of the person. The most commonly used definition
of the stress is that it is the interaction of individual with the situations arises in day-to-day life
that can have physical or psychological impact on the person negatively. The causes of stress are
unpredictable, uncertain, sometimes uncontrollable and conflict and poorer performance are the
straight result of the stress. Work deadlines or evaluation of work are some of the temporary
events that trigger stress. Long term stress are the situations like family pressure, fear to lose job,
long travelling for work etc. Stress is not the product of the person rather it is the causes that
creates it so the blame should not be on the shoulder of the people rather than the causes only.
Preventing the stress of the employees has many advantages like low staff turnover, less leaves
are asked by the employees, early retirement, increasing work performance and less accidents
and improved client satisfaction. It’s very important for the organizations to control the impact of
the stress on their employees. There is not a single solution that works for all. Stress management
can be either individual approach or organizational approach. Both of the approaches have
positive impact on the stress reduction process. For individual approach the employee himself is
responsible for reducing personal stress level and few of the methods are time management
techniques, physical exercise, increasing social network, relaxation training etc. While with
organizational approach the organization as a whole try to reduce stress and few of the methods
of this approach including better job placement and employee selection, skill training, job
redesign, counselling program by the employer, communication improvement in the workplace
etc. It is the responsibility of the managers to help their sub-ordinates lower stress level to
improve the work and social life. It not only increases their productivity but also helps the
organization to thrive by using the human resources working their 100% of the attention and
skills to produce better result everyday for the company. Being able to identify the common
symptoms of the stress e.g. Psychological symptoms (Depression, Fatigue, Frustration, Anxiety,
Irritation, Afraid etc.), Physical Symptoms (Low energy, Headaches, upset stomach, including
diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, Aches, pains, and tense muscles, Chest pain and rapid
heartbeat, Insomnia, Frequent colds and infections, Loss of sexual desire and/or ability,

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Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet, Dry mouth and
difficulty swallowing, Clenched jaw and grinding teeth) and Behavioral Symptoms
(Absenteeism, Affinity with drug, Low productivity, Increased accidents, No interest in
recreation, Changing Food, Non-helping attitude). If these symptoms can first be recognized and
then the appropriate stress management techniques then can be applied either by individual
approach or by the organization approach. Both stress management approach results in a low
level of stress among the people working in an organization.

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Definition of stress
Stress has a different meaning for different people under different conditions. The first and most
generic definition of stress is that proposed by Hans Selye: “Stress is the non-specific response
of the body to any demand”

Other definitions, reviewed in detail by Selye in his Stress in Health and Disease (1976), include
the following:

1. In behavioral sciences, stress is regarded as the “perception of threat, with resulting anxiety
discomfort, emotional tension, and difficulty in adjustment.”

2. In the group situation, lack of structure or loss of anchor “makes it difficult or impossible for
the group to cope with the requirements of the situation, and the problem of leadership and
interpersonal behavior becomes one of evolving or supplying a structure or anchor and of
supplying the expertness for coping with the demands of the situation.”

3. Stress can also be defined in terms of pure neuroendocrinology. Eugene Yates, for example,
defined stress as any stimulus that will provoke the release of ACTH and adrenal
glucocorticoids. Presumably, the same might apply to the equally powerful sympathetic markers
of stress, underscored earlier by Walter Cannon.

Selye, in Stress in Health and Disease (Selye, 1976), underscored the fact that “Stress is part of
our daily human experience, but it is associated with a great variety of essentially dissimilar
problems, such as surgical trauma, burns, emotional arousal, mental or physical effort, fatigue,
pain, fear, the need for concentration, the humiliation of frustration, the loss of blood,
intoxication with drugs or environmental pollutants, or even the kind of unexpected success that
requires an individual to reformulate his lifestyle. Stress is present in the businessman under
constant pressure; in the athlete straining to win a race; in the air-traffic controller who bears
continuous responsibility for hundreds of lives; in the husband helplessly watching his wife’s
slow, painful death from cancer; in a race horse, its jockey and the spectator who bets on them.”

Sources of Stress
Against a background of mounting research evidence (Cooper & Payne, 1988), there can be little
dispute that stress has a dysfunctional impact on both individual and organizational outcomes.
Links have been demonstrated between stress and the incidence of Coronary Heart Disease,
mental breakdown, poor health behaviors, job dissatisfaction, accidents, family problems and
certain forms of cancer (e.g. McLean, 1980; Frese, 1985; Cooper & Watson, 1991). Almost half
of all premature deaths in the U.K. are attributed to lifestyle and stress-related illnesses (Palmer,
1989).

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Life Events and Stress
According to a new research, Life events are defined as discrete experiences that disrupt an
individual's usual activities, causing a substantial change and readjustment. Examples of life
events include marriage, divorce, illness or injury, and changing or losing a job. In the literature
on stress, life events have been traditionally considered as one type of stressor, along with
chronic strains (ongoing stressful circumstances such as living with disability or poverty). Since
the pioneering work of Tom Holmes and Richard Rahe in 1967, an enormous body of literature
has developed on the topic of life events and illness. (Life Events and Stress | Encyclopedia.Com,
n.d.)

Daily Life Events (Psychological)

Daily Stressors are defined as routine challenges of day-to-day living, such as the everyday
concerns of work, caring for other people, and commuting between work and home, they may
also refer to more unexpected small occurrences such as arguments with children, unexpected
work deadlines, and malfunctioning computers that disrupt daily life. Daily stressors are often
assessed via self-reports of specific events over multiple days. These events represent tangible,
albeit minor interruptions that may have a more proximal effect on well-being than major life
events such as job loss and divorce. (Daily Stressors, n.d.)

Environmental Stressors
Stressors that are found in our surroundings are called environmental stressors. Everyday life is
full of environmental stressors that cause minor irritations. If you use an alarm clock to wake up,
the loud noise from your alarm is an environmental stressor. Extreme temperatures are also
environmental stressors and can lead to discomfort. Other common environmental stressors
include:

 Noise
 Crowding
 Air quality
 Colors
 Tornadoes and other natural disasters
 War and other manmade disasters
 Light
 Insects

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Recent research has linked extreme temperatures, crowding, and noise with increased levels of
discomfort and aggression. Studies have also shown that crime rates are higher during those hot
summer days. Different colors can raise or lower your stress levels. For example, green is often
associated with life and growth and is known to reduce tension and anxiety. Exposure to light
can improve your mood and decrease fatigue, while prolonged exposure to darkness can interfere
with sleep patterns and lead to symptoms of depression. (Study.Com | Take Online Courses.
Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers, n.d.)
Physical stressors

These are stressors that put strain on our body? (i.e.: trauma (injury, infection, surgery), intense
physical labor/over-exertion, environmental pollution (pesticides, herbicides, toxins, heavy
metals, inadequate light, radiation, noise, electromagnetic fields), illness (viral, bacterial, or
fungal agents), fatigue, inadequate oxygen supply, hypoglycemia I(low blood sugar), hormonal
and/or biochemical imbalances, dietary stress (nutritional deficiencies, food allergies and
sensitivities, unhealthy eating habits), dehydration, substance abuse, dental challenges, and
musculoskeletal misalignments/imbalances.). (Stressors, 2017)

Causes of Stresses
Stress problems are very common. The American Psychological Association's 2007 "Stress in
America" poll found that one-third of people in the United States report experiencing extreme
levels of negative stress. In addition, nearly one out of five people report that they are
experiencing high levels of negative stress 15 or more days per month. Generally speaking,
people do not like experiencing the extremes of stress. This is true for each end of the spectrum
of stress intensity, both high and low. Few people enjoy the feeling of being overwhelmingly
stressed in the face of great change. However, most people do not like a total absence of stress
either, at least after a while.

1. DEATH OF A SPOUSE

The sudden loss of a spouse can unleash a similar sort of trauma. As noted by the National
Mental Health Association, surviving husbands or wives lose more than a beloved partner -- they
lose a way of life. The upheaval may also destroy their social life, or even their finances. At a
basic level, it can be difficult to accept that the loved one is really gone. (Woolston, 2021)

2. DIVORCE

Divorce is difficult for everyone, regardless of your station in life. The act of divorce is much
like a bereavement when mourning the death of a close family member. Studies prove that
you don’t need to be a war veteran to experience post-traumatic stress. Experts put divorce at one
of the highest factors for developing PTSD such as Insomnia Anxiety Substance Abuse
Depression Metabolic Syndrome Drastic Weight Loss (Griffith, 2019).

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3. MARITAL SEPARATION

Marital Separation involves persistent life strains that result in psychological stress. The strains
include economic hardship, social isolation, and, for single parents, sole parenting
responsibilities (McLanahan 1983; Pearlin and Johnson 1977).

4. IMPRISONMENT

Being in prison can take a serious toll on an individual’s psychological well-being.New

conditions often develop, and pre-existing conditions may worsen. Individuals who were
considered mentally healthy prior to their arrest develop mental health symptoms once they are
in prison.  (Simple Ways to Improve Your Psychological Well-Being, n.d.)
5. DEATH OF A CLOSE RELATIVE

Whether it’s a spouse, family member or close friend, losing a loved one presents you with one
of the greatest challenges you may ever face. The stress of learning to live without them includes
changing family dynamics, taking over responsibilities your loved one once dealt with, spending
time alone and simply struggling with your new normal. 

6. PERSONAL INJURY OR ILLNESS

In a number of cases it is not until people get home that they really come to recognise how their
injuries or illness may limit their lives; traumatic accident and these limitations can cause
emotional distress and frustration. (Stress, n.d.)

7. MARRIAGE

Stress in a marriage can create unnecessary conflict. Minor issues turn into major arguments
because both parties are simply too stressed to sort through their emotions. If you can reduce the
stress in your marriage, you can improve the quality of life for the whole household. (Andrew
R.2018)

8. FIRED FROM A JOB

Aside from the obvious financial anguish it can cause, the stress of losing a job can also  take a
heavy toll on your mood, relationships, and overall mental and emotional health. Our jobs are
often more than just the way we make a living. They influence how we see ourselves, as well as
the way others see us.

9. MARITAL RECONCILIATION

Making a marriage work can be challenging, especially when one spouse is considering divorce.
It takes time and effort to rebuilt a relationship, but if both spouses are committed to making the
marriage work, reconciliation is possible. (Munsinger, 2020)

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10. RETIREMENT

Some new retirees even experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The
truth is that no matter how much you've been looking forward to it, retiring from work is a major
life change that can bring stress as well as benefits. In fact, some studies have linked retirement
to a decline in health.

11. ILLNESS OF A RELATIVE

Caregiver stress syndrome is a condition characterized by physical, mental and emotional

exhaustion. It typically results from a person neglecting their own physical and emotional health
because they are focused on caring for an ill, injured or disabled loved one.

12. PREGNANCY

Stress is a common feeling during pregnancy. Physical discomforts and other changes in your
daily life can cause stress during pregnancy. Some types of stress may cause serious health
problems, like high blood pressure, and lead to problems like premature birth.

13. SEXUAL PROBLEMS

Stress and anxiety may trigger an increased production or stress hormones and a lower level
of testosterone which plays a role in your sex drive. When your mind is too stressed out to focus
on sex, your body can't get excited either. Lots of different worries can lead to the problem. (How
Do Stress and Anxiety Affect Sexual Performance and Erectile Dysfunction?, n.d.)

14. BIRTH OR ADOPTION

The adoption process is never easy. After the birth, the adoptive parents must wait for the
adoption to be finalized which is often incredibly draining. Even after the adoption, adoptive
parents will still face new parent struggles. 

15. BUSINESS READJUSTMENT

A study from the American Psychological Association (APA) found that organization changes,
such as restructuring, budgetary modifications, new IT or human resources systems, or new
leadership, can lead to employees who are overly stressed, have less trust in their employers and
have a greater desire to find new jobs.

16. CHANGE IN FINANCIAL STATUS

Financial stress can have major effects on your health. Stress, in general, can cause heart attacks,
strokes, and many other serious health issues regardless of the source.

17. DEATH OF A CLOSE FRIEND

Significant adverse physical and psychological well-being, poorer mental health and social
functioning occur up to four years following bereavement.

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18. CHANGE TO DIFFERENT WORK
Change is more likely to lead to stress when the change has consequences for matters that are
central to employees' sense of self, and particularly so when the personal self is salient. This
effect is mediated by feelings of uncertainty.

19. INCREASED ARGUMENTS WITH SPOUSE

Scientists have now found that particularly hostile arguments among couples could harm their
health, starting with their gut, raise blood pressure and cause some stress on the body, but
arguments have an emotional side that creates longer recovery times in the body than non-
emotional -- yet stressful -- events like running.

20. MORTGAGE OR LOAN FOR MAJOR PURCHASE

Whatever the cost, whatever the cause, debt wreaks emotional havoc on our psyche.Among the
negative effects are low self-esteem and impaired cognitive functioning. That means you can’t
learn, remember, be attentive or solve problems as well when you’re freaking out over your loan
and mortgage (The Emotional Effects of Debt - Denial, Stress, Fear, Depression, 2021)

21. FORECLOSURE ON MORTGAGE OR LOAN

A shortage of money led to a massive increase in anxiety. The emotional strain of dealing with
debt can be almost damaging as getting your electricity cut off or having your car repossessed or
seeing your credit score plunge to where you’ll never get another loan.

22. CHANGE IN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Three critical factors, role ambiguity, role conflict and the degree of responsibility for others are
major sources of potential stress. In a study of U.S. dentists (Cooper, Malinger, & Kahn, 1978) a
high level of role conflict was found to be a major predictor of abnormally high blood pressure.
Eliminating or reducing role related stress requires clear role definition and role negotiation.

23. CHILD LEAVING HOME

Empty nest syndrome isn't a clinical diagnosis. Instead, empty nest syndrome is a phenomenon
in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home.
Although you might actively encourage your children to become independent, the experience of
letting go can be painful. (Empty Nest Syndrome, 2020)

24. PROBLEMS WITH IN-LAWS

Men and women are affected by in-laws in their own different ways. The issues may be different,
but the stress is the same! However, in Bangladesh, ideally a woman is expected to adjust to her
new family, hence the greater share of stress from her in-laws is borne by her.

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25. OUTSTANDING PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT

Higher clinical workloads were related to higher levels of stress but also to higher feelings of
personal achievement.

26. SPOUSE BEGINS OR STOPS WORK

Whatever the culprit, our careers often affect our personal relationships — and in extreme cases,
they can even ruin marriages. Your spouse can easily get stressed out, frustrated, annoyed, or
hurt by your over-commitment to your job.

27. BEGIN OR END SCHOOL

The school year's end can be stressful for students leaving a structured environment for uncertain
situations. But with chronic stress in school, high cortisol levels can instead impair brain
functioning and suppress the immune system, causing long-term damage.

28. CHANGE IN LIVING CONDITIONS

City living is associated with a stressful social environment as well as an increased risk of mental
illness; of note, the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders is higher in urban areas than in
rural areas and the incidence of schizophrenia is greater in people born and brought up in cities.

29. CHANGING PERSONAL HABITS

Stress selectively inhibits the circuitry of self-awareness and self-control, and activates the
circuitry of habit and impulse. ... The result: When we're under stress at work or at home, we find
ourselves feeling stuck and out of control. Stress even impairs your brain's ability to predict the
consequences of a choice

30. PROBLEMS WITH YOUR BOSS

People with bad bosses are more susceptible to chronic depression, stress and anxiety, all of
which increase the risk of a lowered immune system. Some research even indicates that it takes
people 22 months to restore their stress levels to a healthy range after working for a bad
manager. Whether the person you work for is a micromanager, has anger management
problems, shows favoritism toward one person, is a flat-out workplace bully, or just isn't very
competent, you still have to make the best of the situation and get your job done and try to
reduce the stress. As Robert Frost said, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.’ Working with
someone who seems to have no boundaries means that you have to go ahead and set them.

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Symptoms of Stress
Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including your emotions, behaviors, thinking ability, and
physical health. No part of the body is immune. But, because people handle stress differently,
symptoms of stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and may be the same as those caused by
medical conditions. So, it is important to discuss them with your doctor. You may experience
any of the following symptoms of stress.
Physical symptoms:
Low energy: Fatigue is a term used to describe an overall feeling of tiredness or a lack of energy
Headaches: The main symptom of a headache is a pain in your head or face. This can be
throbbing, constant, sharp or dull. 
Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea: An upset stomach, also known
as indigestion, is a general term used to describe discomfort or pain felt in the upper abdomen.
Aches, pains, and tense muscles: Body aches happen when your muscles, tendons, joints, and
other connective tissues hurt due to stress
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat: this is an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the lungs
and chest
Insomnia: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay
asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.
Frequent colds and infections: If you have a weakened immune system, you're at a higher risk
of developing health problems such as the common cold.
Loss of sexual desire and/or ability: Loss of libido (sex drive) is a common problem that
affects many men and women at some point in their life. It's often linked to relationship issues,
stress or tiredness,
Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet: Generalized
anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness and fear. 
Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing: Dry mouth refers to a condition in which the salivary
glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.
Clenched jaw and grinding teeth: Teeth grinding and jaw clenching (also called bruxism) is
often related to stress or anxiety.

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Psychological Symptoms:
Depression
Having a hopeless or helpless outlook on your life is the most common symptom of depression.
Other feelings may be worthlessness, self-hate, or inappropriate guilt.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of constant tiredness or weakness and can be physical, mental or a
combination of both.
Frustration
Frustration originates from feelings of uncertainty and insecurity which stems from a sense of
inability to fulfill needs.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.
Highly emotional
A highly emotional person is someone who tends to feel things more deeply and for longer than
the average person. 
Anxious
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or fear. Everyone feels anxious at some point in their life,
but for some people it can be an ongoing problem.
Irritation
The definition of an irritation is something that causes annoyance or discomfort, or a feeling of
annoyance.

Afraid

The words apprehensive and fearful are common synonyms of afraid. While all three words
mean "disturbed by fear," afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies
inhibition of action or utterance.

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Behavioral Symptoms:
Absenteeism is a habitual pattern of absence from a duty or obligation without good reason.
Affinity with drug means they bind the receptor with a great desire and activate the receptor to
do its job really well.
Low productivity in the workplace refers to a condition where one or more workers complete
tasks, processes, production or sales inefficiently.
Increased accidents One factor that can cause auto accidents is stress. Driving
while stressed can lead to a dangerous loss of focus
No interest in recreation Participating in recreational activities helps manage stress. Taking
time to nurture oneself provides a sense of balance and self-esteem, which can directly reduce
anxiety and depression.
Changing Food habits When you're feeling stressed, your body sends out cortisol, known as the
stress hormone. Cortisol can make you crave sugary, salty and fatty foods, because your brain
thinks it needs fuel to fight whatever threat is causing the stress.
Non-helping attitude Well believe it or not, your bad attitude could be the culprit for why
you're feeling so icky.

Approaches to Stress Management

Individual Approach
Social Support Network
Social support refers to "an exchange of resources between at least two individuals perceived by
the provider or the recipient to be intended to enhance the well-being of the recipient" (Shumaker
& Brownell, 1984, p. 13). Behaviors that fulfill these support functions include expressing
emotional support (e.g., affection), appraisal support (e.g., performance feedback), giving
information (e.g., advice and role clarification), offering emotionally sustaining behaviors (e.g.,
empathy), and listening to the concerns and feelings of the other person (Albrecht & Adelman,
1984; Conrad, 1985; Gottlieb & Todd, 1979; House, 1981).

Self-Controlled Behavior
Self-controlled behavior refers to actions aligned with valued, longer-term goals in the face of
conflicting impulses to seek immediate gratification. According to Kanfer, self-control behavior

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is activated when “reflex or automatic action sequences are unavailable, or have been
interrupted, or when several response sequences of nearly equal probability are in conflict”
(Kanfer, 1986). Common goals such as exercising regularly, eating healthy, not procrastinating,
giving up bad habits, and saving money are just a few worthwhile ambitions that people believe
require self-control.

Time Management Techniques

Time management methods involve finding ways to work more efficiently, so as to maximize
one's use of time. A variety of techniques and tools for list-making, task analysis scheduling, and
task prioritization are typically used for this purpose. 
A good way to make sure that work demands do not intrude into people's needs for family and
personal time is to set time boundaries around work activities, and to not allow those boundaries
to stretch too far. 

Physical Exercise
Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. Being active
can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.  Exercise can provide
stress relief for your body while imitating effects of stress, such as the flight or fight response,
and helping your body and its systems practice working together through those effects. This can
also lead to positive effects in your body

Relaxation
When you feel stress, your body responds by releasing hormones that increase your blood
pressure and raise your heart rate. This is called the stress response. Relaxation techniques can
help your body relax and lower your blood pressure and heart rate.

Maintaining Health
Learning to live a healthy lifestyle often brings additional benefits too, such as an endorphin
rush, a release of frustration, or added longevity. One of the most popular changes people like to
make to live a healthy lifestyle is to eat differently. Because of the negative health consequences
of obesity. Getting regular exercise is another wonderful way to keep your weight in check,

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manage overall stress levels, and stay connected with others. Stress can rob you of sleep, and
because many of the techniques that promote sleep can also reduce stress (and vice versa)
Neutralization
Stress can be neutralized by the parasympathetic nervous system. Breathing exercises activate it
mildly. the brilliant neurological researcher Stephen Porges discovered that when we are with
other people, if they are completely safe to be with (that means no threat physically or
emotionally), we unconsciously pick up signals from their face, voice quality, and body-
language/touch that activate the parasympathetic nervous system. 
Treatment
Stress isn't a medical diagnosis, so there's no specific treatment for it. However, if you're finding
it very hard to cope with things going on in your life and are experiencing lots of signs of stress,
there are treatments available that could help. (Treatment for Stress, n.d.) These include:
 Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you understand your thought patterns,
recognise your trigger points and identify positive actions you can take.
 Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), which combines mindfulness, meditation and
yoga with a particular focus on reducing stress. See our page on learning mindfulness for
more information.

Organizational Approach
Reducing Role Conflict
Three critical factors, role ambiguity, role conflict and the degree of responsibility for others are
major sources of potential stress. In a study of U.S. dentists (Cooper, Malinger, & Kahn, 1978) a
high level of role conflict was found to be a major predictor of abnormally high blood pressure.
Eliminating or reducing role related stress requires clear role definition and role negotiation.

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Setting of Goals
Goals matter. Setting the right goals, having a plan to reach those goals, and following through
on what is required to reach or maintain those goals may help you feel greater happiness and
fulfillment while reducing stress levels. Goals can also be a source of stress.
Re-designing of jobs
Employees who lack job satisfaction can be toxic to themselves, their organization, and the
company's customers. Job redesign reduces both employee and employer stress because happy,
motivated employees reduce numerous risks associated with a workforce that is indifferent to a
company's mission and values.
Employee Recruitment, Selection and Placement
Effective selection and placement mean finding and hiring the right employees for your
organization and then putting them into the jobs for which they are best suited. Providing an
accurate and complete job description is a key step in the selection process.
Training
Stress training may provide practice in behavioral and cognitive skills which allow better
performance under stress, such as multi-tasking skills and prioritizing critical activities. Building
confidence in the ability to perform under stress: The training is effective when a sense of
mastery is achieved.
Developing Informal Communication
Informal communication at work is any type of communication that doesn't take place using the
formal methods or structures in a company. It can be spoken, written or even conveyed through
gestures and body language. At work and at home, the ability to communicate effectively can
improve your relationships and resolve conflicts that cause stress. Good communication is
crucial for reducing your stress levels. When we are misunderstood or criticised, we feel isolated
and defensive.
Offering Leaves
A study released last year by the American Psychological Association concluded that vacations
work to reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they
associate with stress and anxiety.

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Recreation
The study, published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, shows that leisure activity can
provide immediate stress relief and other health benefits to just about anyone. But as shown in
Zawadzki's previous research, the activity must be mentally engaging — too many distractions
can negate the effects.
Health Programs
Offering employer-sponsored workplace wellness programs may reduce stress and benefit your
business or corporation by: Improving employee health behaviors. Exercise and healthy eating
are essential to stress relief and metabolizing cortisol, the stress hormone.
Employee Counseling
While stress is a normal part of life and in some cases even manageable without the need for
professional assistance, this may not always be the case. Stress and anger management
counselling is the process of talking to a professional psychotherapist about issues an employee
may be experiencing. Within the workplace, an employee assistance programme (EAP) can
provide this support for employees. It allows them access to an independent and confidential
helpline for them to discuss their issues with trained counsellors. (Stress Counselling at Work,
2021)
Conclusion:
Motivating employees is an important factor on employee performance. It‟s important to know
which factors motivate the employees in a given organization so that the management can put
more emphasis on the motivating factors. Employee motivation is a highly sensitive concept
which is affected by a multiplicity of factors. Both financial and Non- Financial factors are
important for employees performance and productivity. Some of these factors are extrinsic in
that they emerge from within the organization and are an external obligation on the employee. In
other words these factors are environmental. Most of these factors are within the controls of the
organizational management and can as such be exploited by the management in order to boost
the levels of employee motivation. The manner in which the organization handles or manages
these extrinsic factors are indeed crucial in determining not only the level of employee
motivation on their own but also do influence other factors, especially the intrinsic factors that
further act as determinants of the level of motivation of employees.

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