STRESS MANAGEMENT

STRESS MANAGEMENT

RNP Pre-deployment training

Aim • To create a general awareness about stress in Peacekeeping environments and how to manage it in order to achieve mission goals.

Structure of presentation • Definition of Stress • Types of stress • General Symptoms of Stress • Common Causes of Stress in UN Missions • Management of Stress • Non productive stress management • Conclusion 4

What is Stress? 5

Stress is a physical and psychological process of reacting to and coping with events or situations that place extraordinary pressure upon human being. • Such events are sudden and involve physical and emotional loss. 6

Is stress +Ve or –Ve?

EUSTRESS • Eustress or positive stress occurs when your level of stress is high enough to motivate you to move into action to get things accomplished. • Enabling you to concentrate-to pay full attention • Mobilize maximum physical energy • Prepare for action in order to respond

DISTRESS • Distress or negative stress occurs when your level of stress is either too high or too low and your body and/or mind begin to respond negatively to the stressors • Any stress that occurs too often (frequency), which lasts too long (duration), or is too severe (intensity).

Stress Affects Differently Negative Stress Positive Stress Attention Health Productivity Energy Family Relationship Action Community Colleagues Success Failure RNP Pre-deployment training

EXERCISE Assume you are in the mission area, one day while patrolling; found yourself unexpectedly witnessing dead bodies of the local population from massive killings by the rebels: • What can you do to manage your physical and emotional loss in order to achieve the mission goals? • Whom will you talk to about your stress?

TYPES OF STRESS • Basic • Cumulative • Traumatic

BASIC STRESS • Every person experiences basic, minor stress in daily situations that may produce tension, frustration, irritation and anger. • Personal qualities that may contribute to one’s reaction to stress are: • Past experience • Age • Philosophical approach to life • Level of physical fitness • Level of education.

CUMULATIVE STRESS • It is the result of damage that occurs too often, last too long, and is too severe. To fulfill the mandate and act professionally, a lot of effort is required, esp. where: • You are exposed to severe, unpleasant situations in which you are helpless, for example water shortage, electricity blackout, extreme temperature, and illnesses. • You are away from home and loved ones.

TRAUMATIC STRESS • Resulted from a single, sudden assault that harms or threatens an individual either physically or psychologically. • Traumatic situation to a peacekeeper: • Being powerless spectator of violence, murder, large-scale massacres, etc. • Experiencing the bombing of buildings and mining of roads • Witnessing large scale destruction.

General Symptoms of stress: • Physical signs • Behavioral signs • Emotional signs • Mental signs 16

Physical signs • Faster heart beat • Headaches • Rapid breathing • Dry mouth • Sleeplessness • Sweating, etc 17

Behavioral signs • Increased alcohol intake • Personality change • Loss of confidence • Discipline problems • Short temper rudeness • Being aggressive or violent • Loss of sexual interest or excessive sex drive • Over eating or not eating, • Making more mistakes, • Being more forgetful, etc. 18

Emotional signs • Anxiety(nervousness/confused) • Sadness • Feeling of worthless, nervousness • Irritability, anger, emotional outbursts, being close to tears all the time. 19

Mental signs • Lack of concentration, mind going blank • Difficult in making decisions • Confusion • Sharpened alertness

Common Causes of Stress in PKG Missions • Severe and unpleasant situations. • Food and drink • Home sickness. • Cultural shock. • Being powerless watcher of violence. • Direct or indirect intimidation and attacks. • General security threats; mines, hijacks & sniper fire. • Long working hours without rest.

Cont... • Death of a relative, friend, co-worker • Hearing first hand report of ill-treatment and torture • Dangerous working conditions • Witnessing casualties • Geographical difficulties (weather or terrain) 22

EDUCATION TO THE OFFICERS • Stress is sometimes referred to as the ‘silent killer’, we are often unaware of its effects and often don’t even realize we’re under stress until it’s too late. • Stress is a part of life; but, too much stress is a partner of death or can cause premature aging. • Instead of avoiding stress, we need to learn how to deal with it in the best way possible • Training is important to recognize and manage it to avoid serious effects. 23

TECHNIQUES FOR COPING WITH STRESS • Collect and provide for all items that would be needed in the mission area. • Do not assume that you will find whatever you want in the mission area. • UN DPKO gives peacekeepers a luggage allowance of up to 100kg. Take the opportunity to bring those things that will make you feel more relaxed or at home.

REDUCING STRESS IN THE MISSION AREA • Encourage the use humour • Engage yourself in meaningful physical activities and recreation. • Consider a holiday at home or at a recreational area outside the mission area. • Encouraging in peer sharing and team building.

REDUCING POST-MISSION STRESS • Understand and accept that post-trauma reactions are normal. • Be patient because adjusting physically and mentally can take a long time • Have more rest and sleep than usual… • Seeking help from others, including trained personnel or counselors • Rely on your faith.

Non-productive stress management RNP Pre-deployment training

SUMMARY • What is Stress? • Symptoms of Stress • Common Causes of Stress in UN Missions • How can you manage your Stress? …positive stress! 28

CONCLUSION • Stress is normal. • All peacekeepers should be familiar with the symptoms of stress and know how to cope with the effects to achieve the mission goals. • Team building can help you put in place stress management mechanisms to resolve personal and professional conflicts.

QUESTIONS...??!!

STRESS MANAGEMENT