Stress Management and Crisis Management

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering stress concepts, coping strategies, CBT, and crisis management as presented in the notes.

Stress

The feeling of being under excessive mental or emotional pressure; can be worsened by physical pressures and coping difficulties.

Subjective stress

Different people react differently to stress; what is stressful to one person may motivate another.

Common stress triggers

Major life demands that commonly cause stress, especially work, relationships, and money problems.

Signs and symptoms of stress

Effects on feelings, thoughts, behavior, and body; includes palpitations, numbness, sleep problems, sweating, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and racing thoughts.

Physiological stress response

Stress causes a surge of hormones; once the threat passes, hormone levels return to normal.

Stress is not an illness

Stress itself isn’t an illness, but it can lead to serious health problems if not managed.

Early signs and coping

Recognizing early signs helps prevent worsening and unhealthy coping (e.g., drinking or smoking) and may prevent complications like hypertension.

Stress management techniques

Strategies to manage stress, including relaxation, regular exercise, and good time-management.

When to see a GP / CBT

If self-help techniques fail, see a GP who may suggest additional coping methods, counselling, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A talking therapy that helps manage problems by changing how you think and behave; it doesn’t remove problems but can improve coping.

CBT mechanism

By examining how thoughts affect feelings and how actions affect thinking, CBT can lead to better emotional outcomes.

Stress health impact

Severe or prolonged stress can lead to health issues like high blood pressure; mental health concerns like anxiety and depression account for a significant portion of GP visits.

Stress diary

A diary kept for 2–4 weeks to identify stress triggers; records details (date/time/place, activity, people, feelings, thoughts, actions) and includes a stress rating (0–10).

Using a stress diary

Helps identify triggers, understand response patterns under pressure, develop coping strategies, and guide professional advice.

Crisis

An event that creates an unstable or dangerous situation; negative changes in security, economy, politics, health, or environment, often abrupt.

Forms of organizational crisis

Examples include natural disasters, workplace bombings, plant explosions, kidnapping, terrorist attacks, hostile takeovers, personnel assaults, litigation/arrests, sabotage, and employee unrest.

Crisis management

Systematic anticipation and preparation for events that could damage an organization’s reputation, profitability, or survival; aims to prevent “managerial firefighting.”

Crisis management program

A structured approach to crisis readiness, including audits, contingency plans, a crisis management team, and ongoing practice.

Anticipate

Disaster scenarios envisioned with what-if analyses to anticipate potential crises.

Plan

Outlining warning signs, actions to take, and possible consequences to guide responses.

Staff

Assembling relevant specialists who will contribute to crisis response.

Perfect

Improving the program through simulations, drills, mock exercises, and management support.

Crisis audit

A review of an organization’s crisis preparedness and response capabilities.

Contingency plans

Predefined actions and resources established to be used if a crisis occurs.

Crisis management team

A designated group responsible for coordinating and executing crisis response.

Practice

Regular drills and simulations to test and improve the crisis plan.