The nature of stress has been studied by scholars in a wide range of academic disciplines. Physicians, psychiatrists, and researchers in management have all studied its causes and its symptoms, and have defined the term in a variety of different ways. Stress is defined as “the reactions of individuals to new or threatening factors in their work environments”.
Stress can be either positive or negative. Some new work situations can bring us positive challenges and excitement. For example, promotions to new jobs present employees with positive stress. Employees may feel anxious about their new work assignments; they also anticipate them eagerly and look forward to the additional challenges, rewards, and excitement. In these cases, the new and uncertain job situations create positive stress. The positive stress is also called the eustress. However, there are certain other types of work that are very threatening and anxiety-arousing. For example, depression in the economy can create negative stress for sales personnel, because they will be much more anxious about making sales commissions and sales quotas.
For every individual there is an optimum level of stress under which he or she may perform to full capacity. If the stress experienced is below this optimum level, then the individual gets bored, the motivational level to work reaches a low, point, and apathy sets in. If one operates in a very low stress environment and constantly experiences boredom, the person is likely to psychologically or physically withdraw from work. Psychological withdrawal will result in careless mistakes being frequently made, forgetting to do things, and thinking of things other than work during work hours. Physical withdrawal will manifest itself in increased rates of tardiness and absenteeism, which may ultimately lead to turnover. Though the optimum stress level is different Formdifferent individuals, each individual can sense and determine how much stress is functional for an individual to operate in a productive manner.
Research indicates that those who possess high tolerance of ambiguity, internal locus of control and self-esteem seem to effectively handle a high level of stress. An individual possessing high degree of tolerance for ambiguity allows him to experience very little anguish while operating under conditions of insufficient information or in an uncertain environment. People with an internal locus of control also handle stress well since they feel they are in control of the situation, rather than feeling controlled by the situation they are facing. This makes it possible for them to manage their environmental stress without experiencing its harmful effects. Those with high self-esteem also handle stress with ease since a high self-esteem increases the confidence and enables them to deal with stressful situations with calmness and clear thinking. The more successfully one handles a stressful situation without panicking or getting overwhelmed by it, the more confidently will the individual face further stressful situations. Thus, it is possible to raise one’s capacity to handle in different situations.
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