Preventing stress on the manager for the good of the company

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Extract from the article: Stress is an expression of imbalance, but it is mainly a matter of perception. Often it is the result of feeling that we do not have the resources to solve a problem. Caused by poor work organization or an unfavourable socio-economic context, occupat

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Stress is an expression of imbalance, but it is mainly a matter of perception. Often it is the result of feeling that we do not have the resources to solve a problem. Caused by poor work organization or an unfavourable socio-economic context, occupational stress affects both employees and managers. However, as a manager, we have a referent role for employees. If you are overcome by stress, it will affect the entire team and the company. Pr. Kolou S. Valentin Charles Dassa, Stress counselor/ Psychiatrist, CHU Campus, Lomé-Togo alerts on the symptoms of negative stress that must be well managed.

Health-Education: What is mental health?

Professor Kolou S. Valentin Charles Dassa: Mental health is a state of well-being that allows an individual or community to achieve their potential, work successfully, and navigate the normal difficulties of life with flexibility, and contribute to the development of their community. Mental well-being is a balance with oneself and others. Towards oneself, because self-knowledge is necessary in order to identify one’s abilities, aptitudes, strengths but also weaknesses and limits. Balance with oneself contributes to balance with others. Indeed a successful life, is a shared life, and when someone has lost the smile, lend him yours, because he will always give you.

What is manager stress?

This is work stress. When working conditions are such that the manager cannot perform the tasks, or is subject to constraints beyond his ability to adapt to work, he may call into question his professional aptitude. So the overload leads him to doubt himself, sometimes losing confidence in himself.

How does the stress of the manager manifest itself?

A manager/leader is the interface between the hierarchy and the employees/employees, whose main functions are to guide, motivate and support. And when a manager is stressed not only does he become extremely dangerous for the company, he cannot help employees/employees to perform their tasks, nor can the company achieve results. It is important to recognize certain signs : frequent insomnia, pain and muscle tension, eating disorders, digestive disorders, disturbance of libido, dizziness, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, irritability, anxiety, are signs of too much stress. Just like a lack of concentration, a lot of time in the office doing nothing (presenteeism). For some people, this condition can lead to frequent absences from work, isolation, and abuse of alcohol and other psychoactive substances (tobacco, coffee, sleeping pills, etc.).

What are the consequences of stress on the health of the manager?
When stress is positive, it provides a model for addressing challenges. This “boosts” and motivates. However, when stress becomes negative, it will wear out, gnaw on the organs and in the long run can lead to death. Intense stress over a long period of time can become a danger to physical and mental health if not managed effectively. We can see a lot of problems in some companies, resignations and suicide, chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, gastroduodenal ulcers, depression, emotional disorders, etc.) Such a condition can weaken the immune system opening the door to infections of all kinds and even cancer.

How to manage?

Preventing the stress of the manager is a necessity for the proper functioning of the company. The first thing is to know how to listen, this is what is called self-knowledge, it is to be able to analyze its strengths and weaknesses, its abilities and disabilities, its strengths and limits. The second thing is self-recognition: we are individuals and no one is perfect. But many people never congratulate themselves for having achieved a goal. You have to be proud of yourself. Even if you have done one third of your work, you have done something. Congratulate yourself, do not wait for someone to come and do it. This positive spirit should be more motivating for you to evolve. You need to assess what is wrong with the company and what is right. If the list of what is wrong is longer, it means that there is a problem to solve. It is also necessary to rest, let go, know how to delegate certain tasks, we are not indispensable! doing physical and sports activities and recreation, relaxation, meditation, caring for family, doing something other than work “change fatigue”, going to the countryside to recharge your batteries, hiking in the forest, in the mountains, visiting friends, Go to others, rather than whatsapp!  A healthy and balanced diet is valuable. Choose foods that give energy, fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, eat «organic», eat natural local products, instead of filling the trolleys with ready-to-eat products in supermarkets. Especially avoid drugs too much alcohol, coffee, energy drinks, etc. In the slightest doubt, you should consult a doctor, a psychiatrist, a psychologist or an anti-stress counsellor.

Interview by Abel OZIH