This one-day workshop will explore the harmful long-term effects of stress on our mental and physical health and provide suggestions for managing our individual stresses more effectively. Strategies may include changes in lifestyle, stress management techniques such as relaxation and exercise, and the use of music or humor as coping strategies.

Learning Objectives and Agenda
The workshop begins with individual introductions and a group exercise to put everybody at ease. This is followed by a large group discussion about the effects of stress and why we need to give more than lip service to developing strategies for managing that stress.

How Does Stress Affect Us?
A large group discussion complete with diagrams to illustrate what stress does to our bodies and our minds if it is allowed to go unchecked.

What is Stress About?
Individuals rate themselves and their stress levels on each of several types of charts or scales, with the understanding that there is no reward for proving that you are more stressed out than others. The only reward is getting a handle on the amount of stress we do feel.

• Checklist of Stress Symptoms
  
• Holmes Rahe Stress Rating
  
• Hanson Scale of Stress Resistance
• The Human Scale
  
• Stress Exhaustion Symptoms
  

Stress and Time
Small group discussion of the everyday things that stress us out and how to better manage our time to avoid this.

The Stress Tax
A large group discussion about what stress costs us as an individual and what stress costs employers.

Managing Stress
Large group discussion about the three factors of stress management: Personality, Nature of Organization, and Quality of Support.

Stress and Gender
Large group discussion of some of the research that has been done about stress, and how age, gender, and attitude, and occupation figure into our reactions to stress.

Taking Care of Your Body and Mind
Group discussion of the four pillars of stress management: good nutrition, exercise, strong supportive relationships, and relaxation techniques.

Stress Management Strategies
Discussion of the three strategies: alter, avoid, and accept. Participants will also complete individual charts of drainers and fillers; things that drain and energize them.

The “Less Stress” Lessons
Discussion and demonstration of ways we can relax, including breathing, body scan, and awareness.

Personal Action Plan
This is a culmination of the day’s discussions and provides individuals with a structured way of planning to reduce stress in their lives.