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Managing
Stress These are stressful and
challenging times for many employees in the
provincial government. Staff, media and people in
our communities are talking about cuts to the
public sector. "In these circumstances,
stress management is a necessary process for
dealing with change and transition," says
Sharon Stewart, a human resources manager with
the ministry.
"It’s normal for people to feel
additional levels of stress at a time like
this," says Stewart. "Many in
government are feeling the same anxiety and
uncertainty, which is normal when going through
change."
Stewart advises colleagues to employ a few key
principles for coping with the stress:
- Become aware of
your stressors and your emotional and
physical reactions.
Notice your distress. Don’t
ignore it. Don’t gloss over your
problems.
- Recognize what you
can change.
Challenge and change is
imminent. Most of us have no control over
the events themselves, but do have some
degree of control over their impacts.
Devote time and energy to managing and
mitigating stress by setting goals as
well as personal boundaries.
- Reduce the
intensity of your emotional reactions to
stress.
Work at adopting more moderate
views. Try to temper your excess emotions
and avoid laboring over negative aspects
and the "what if’s."
- Build your
physical reserves.
Exercise, eat well-balanced and
nutritious meals. Avoid nicotine,
excessive caffeine, and other stimulants.
Ensure a balance of family and friends,
and leisure with work. Take breaks and
get away when you can. Also make
sufficient sleep a priority and listen to
the needs of your body.
- Maintain your
emotional reserves.
Develop some mutually supportive
friendships. Pursue realistic goals,
which are meaningful to you.
Resources:
Ministry intranet
site on the core review for progress reports and
an opportunity to post questions and receive
answers from executive:
 wwwinternal.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/core/index.htm
Ministry of
Forests Coping with Stress Manual:
/Human_Resources/mof_internal/!publish/Training/St.pdf
BC Employee and
Family Assistance Program offers professional
assistance to employees and their families to
help resolve problems that affect their personal
lives and in some cases their job performance
(1-800-655-5004).
www.gov.bc.ca/pserc/prgs/policy/pmp/Pubs/ohs/efapbro.html
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