Types of Stress

There are three different types of stress that impact all business people on a regular basis. Whether it’s one of your leading supervisors or a member of the team when any team member is feeling stressed it directly impacts case acceptance, production, profits, and patient retention. Don’t fool yourself, the stress in any area of your business can and does limit your potential for success. Know the types of stress that are impacting you and your practice so you can make a plan to reduce them.

Situational Stress

By general definition, situational stress is made up of those events, activities, or situations that occur in your daily life that bring out your stress response.

What to know:
– The most common form of stress in a person’s life
– Most people feel they have little or no control over the activities, events, or situations which enhances the stress load
– Many people use words like ‘stuck’ or ‘have no choice’ when discussing their situational stressors
– Can easily be the cause for overwhelm, frustration, and depression

Examples:
Difficult Customers, Marriage/Relationship, Staff, Raising Kids, Bills, School, Conflict, Jobs/Positions, Meetings

Coping Methods

Considering situational stressors are external events, activities, or situations, it’s important to use external coping methods that are appropriate for the external stressor.

Time Management, Delegation, Prioritization, Decision Making, Effective Scheduling, Budgeting

Psychological Stress

Defined as when you feel unequipped to handle a situation or thinks in a negative or exaggerated way about the past, present or perceived future.

What to know:
– Most difficult stress to identify and reduce
– Completely self-induced and dependent on your paradigm
– Influenced by your upbringing and environment
– Takes place completely in your mind and manifests through your thoughts and words
– Most people feel justified and ‘right’ in their thinking which limits the potential for resolution
– Many people use words like ‘you don’t understand’ or ‘it’s true/a fact’ when discussing their psychological stressors
– Can easily be attributed to anxiety and anger disorders

Examples:
Phobias, Low Self-Esteem, Insecurities, Pessimism, Lack of Social Acceptance, Reduced Self-Worth

Coping Methods

Psychological stressors are thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions so internal coping methods that address your view of the world and challenge your current thoughts are appropriate to combat these stressors.

Develop Optimism, Goal Setting, Positive Self-Talk, Assertiveness Training, Seek Coaching, Conflict Resolution

Physiological Stress

Defined as the way your body physically responds to stress that creates unhealthy and/or harmful consequences.

What to know:
– Most ignored or unnoticed type of stress
– Directly associated with well-being
– Has physical consequences on our nervous, endocrine, and immune systems
– Cumulative effects can cause serious damage to your health
– Can be both internal, automatic reactions to stress or external habits used to cope with stress
– Can have short and long term effects on the body

Examples:
Smoking, Alcohol/Drug Use, Excessive Exercise, Insomnia, Illnesses, Weight Gain or Loss, Headaches, Dizzy Spells, Panic Attacks

Coping Methods

Coping methods that are directly related to health, wellness, and have an impact on the physical and biological body are best to reduce these stressors.

Planned Relaxation, Deep Breathing, Healthy Nutrition, Smoking Cessation, Limit Alcohol, Avoid Drugs, Massages, Progressive Relaxation

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