Business Studies Paper on Stress Management FAQ for Project Managers

  1. What is Workplace Stress?

Workplace stress is defined as the physical and psychological condition that results when the resources of a person are not adequate to keep up with the pressure and demands of the job.

  1. What are the Causes of Workplace Stress?

Numerous factors can cause workplace stress. For instance, an individual might feel under pressure when the requirements of his/her role are higher than they can manage comfortably. Other factors that cause workplace stress include risk to job security, perpetual changes, and conflict with the bosses or co-workers (Meredith & Mantel, 2011). At times, some of these variables may interweave with each other resulting in critical stress levels.

  1. What are the Symptoms of Workplace Stress?

The symptoms of workplace stress may be physical or cognitive. Physical symptoms are the affect one’s body while cognitive symptoms interfere with one’s emotions and behavior.

  1. What are the Signs of Systemic Stress in on Project Implications?

In projects, signs of stress manifest themselves when individuals routinely fail to meet deadlines, lack collaboration and teamwork, when there is lack of leadership, and when team members are in conflict with each other

  1. Why is Stress Prevalent in the Project Management Profession

The profession of project management is synonymous with stress; this is because project leaders and their team are mandated to work with limited resources within a specific time frame to meet the objectives of a project (Larson et al, 2011). It means that stress is prevalent in the project management profession mainly due to time and cost constraints that come along with projects.

 

  1. What are Some Stress Reduction Techniques that Project Managers can use?
  2. Better Planning: Most stressful problems or unpleasant situations can be mitigated by ensuring the sufficient amount of planning is observed in each project.
  3. Recognition of Limits: By acknowledging his/her limits and that of his/her team, a project manager can determine when he/she is at risk of over-committing to a project and reduce the chances of placing the outcome in jeopardy.
  4. Engaging in humor: Regularly dedicating some time to have fun with team members can significantly decrease stress and even facilitate other benefits like better cooperation between team members.
  5. Getting more rest: The benefit of this initiative is apparent since sufficient sleep is needed for stress relief.
  6. Taking shorter, frequent breaks: Taking several breaks across the day assists a project manager and his/her team to decrease stress and reinforce the heart and mind.
  7. Are there are some links to experts who can help with stress management?

The following are some useful links to professionals who can assist with stress management.

Link 1: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/3-tips-to-manage-stress

Link 2: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201301/17-psychology-experts-share-their-best-stress-relief-tips

Link 3: https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/07/8-stress-management-tips.aspx

Link 4: https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug02/experts.aspx

 

 

References

Larson, E. W., Gray, C. F., Danlin, U., Honig, B., & Bacarini, D. (2014). Project management: The managerial process (Vol. 6). Grandview Heights, OH: McGraw-Hill Education.

Meredith, J. R., & Mantel Jr, S. J. (2011). Project management: a managerial approach. John Wiley & Sons.