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We all know that the holiday season can be stressful. Stress can be felt as a physical or emotional reaction to demanding situations – even those situations we think of as pleasant or positive, like a promotion or vacation. A certain amount of daily stress is normal and even necessary. However, ongoing, non-remitting, or excessive stress, either positive or negative, can result in fatigue, burnout, and even depression.
Symptoms of Stress
Learning to recognize the symptoms of stress is the first step in effectively managing it. Some signals that will alert you to excessive stress include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability or moodiness
- Decreased satisfaction with tasks
- Persistent feeling of urgency
- Clammy and sweaty hands
- Cold hands and feet
- Tension headaches, backaches, stomachaches or other physical discomforts
Managing Stress
A number of techniques are available that can assist you in reducing stress. Review the following methods and use those that work best for you:
- Take care of yourself. Eating healthy foods and getting plenty of rest will help you maintain your body’s resistance to the physical symptoms of stress.
- Manage your time. Take charge of your day by scheduling your time and focusing on your goals. Create a list of tasks to accomplish. Be sure to cross items off your list as they are completed.
- Identify the messages you give yourself. Focus on what you can do rather than your limitations. Be positive.
- Try deep muscle relaxation. Start by tensing your shoulders for about 10 seconds. Slowly release the tension and you will begin to feel your muscles relax. Try this exercise for all major muscle areas from your shoulders to your feet.
- Make time for fun. Take a break from your normal routine during the day to ease tension. Physical exercise or just a change of scenery, such as an evening at the movies, can help you relax.
Federal Occupational Health (FOH) has a variety of resources that are available to help employees manage stress.
- FOH’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can assist employees in identifying and resolving personal concerns that increase stress, such as issues relating to work, family relationships, martial relationships, finances, legal issues, drugs, alcohol and more. To learn more about FOH’s EAP click here.
- FOH’s services also include programs that help employees reduce stress by helping them maintain a balance between the demands of their personal lives and work responsibilities. FOH’s Work/Life Program provides a gateway to resources and information that help employees save valuable time. To learn more about FOH’s Work/Life Program click here.
- FOH’s Wellness/Fitness Services are available to help employees improve their health. Wellness/Fitness programs include weight management counseling, aerobics instruction, walking programs, fitness training and consultation, and even virtual fitness programs. For more information about FOH’s Wellness/Fitness programs click here.
- FOH operates more than 300 health centers in Federal buildings across the country. Health center services are available to employees of participating Federal agencies and include on-site first aid, immunizations, blood pressure screening, and other physician prescribed services such as glucose monitoring. For more information about FOH health centers click here.
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