Stress Management: Minimizing Stress, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue

Although a certain amount of job stress is to be expected, stress in the workplace can be costly. Stress affects not just individual well-being but also organizational performance. The amount of stress you experience within a specific time period and the way you respond physically and emotionally determine whether stress eventually becomes harmful. When stress is not managed well and is left untreated, it can present itself in physical symptoms, such as headaches, gastritis, colitis, hypertension, and in extreme cases stroke. Burnout is another common response to stress, as well as cynicism and a detached attitude towards work. Compassion fatigue arises as emotional exhaustion builds and results in a breakdown in relationships, confidence, and work capacity. Stress not only affects team members at work but can also affect their personal life and relationships with family and friends. Finding a balance in all aspects of life better prepares us to meet our every-day challenges. Who Should AttendAnyone who currently experiences stress at work and who would like to exercise greater control over their reactions to workplace challenges. Anyone who would like to avoid burnout, compassion fatigue, and the more advanced effects of stress at work. (This workshop should not be substituted for professional counseling or medical attention when needed.) What You Will LearnAfter this workshop, participants will be able to:Understand the causes for and consequences of stress on work-life, physiology, cognitive abilities, and emotional stabilityParticipate in problem-solving and decision-making to address underlying causes of stressLearn how to move into acceptance and develop flexibility and resilience with choices and changeBrainstorm effective habits for managing stress and establishing expectations and boundaries with othersEngage in planning for work-life balanceBounce back from stressful events and setbacks with greater resilienceWorkshop TopicsDefinition of stress and the role of individual perceptionsPhysiological and emotional responses to stressThe way stress buildsDanger signals of stress in the workplaceStages of burnoutStress sources, professional and personal triggersChanging your susceptibility to stressStress management and coping strategies for building resilience:Action-oriented strategies (With these strategies you take action that, in time, will help you to take more control over your life … you do whatever you sensibly can to control and eliminate the sources of stress)Emotionally oriented strategies (These strategies help you to intercept destructive negative thinking, and they allow you to think more positively about the situation that you are in)Acceptance-oriented strategies (These strategies temporarily relieve stress symptoms when you cannot regain control) Up to 30 students Virtual Classes will be a live, Instructor lead class in Zoom for Government, a virtual technical assistant VTA will be available to assist students with any technical issues, take roll, administer evaluations, and distribute certificates of completion. Course materials will be provided electronically.Onsite classes will be held at your location. The instructor will travel to you. Materials will be printed and shipped to your site. A sign-up sheet will be provided for student to enter their name (as they want it on their certificate) and the email address to send the certificate to. GSA travel costs will be added to the course fee. Contact us for a travel estimate.A minimum of 2 weeks lead time is needed for virtual classes, 3 weeks for onsite classes.Questions? Contact our training coordinator via email or phone at (202) 843.5447.