Stress Participating in discussions What is stress l

Stress Participating in discussions

What is stress? l It is a mental or physical tension that can result from different causes l People are stressed when they find themselves in danger or in an unfamiliar environment. l It is a condition which has both physical and emotional effects.

As a positive thing stress can. . . l Force us to take action l Awaken you when you need to react l It can open our eyes for new perspectives l If in small amounts, it can improve our working performance l Make us better competitors

As a negative influence stress can. . . l Increase our anger, depression, distrust l Cause headaches, upset stomach, cause insomnia, high blood pressure. . . l Ruin our good working performances l In extreme cases it can cause serious illness and even death (stroke)

We can learn how to manage stress and how to use it to help us: l Positive stress adds excitement to life but too much can even kill us l We need to find optimal amount of stress in life (the amount is not equal for all people) l What is distressing to one may be a positive stimulus to another, so we need to find out for ourselves

We must become aware of our stressors: l Notice your stress, don’t ignore it l Determine what events distress you l See how your body reacts to stress l In what way do you become upset?

See what you can change: l Can you change your stressors by avoiding them? l Can you reduce their intensity? l Can you shorten your exposure to stress?

Learn to control your physical reactions to stress: l Slow, deep breathing will help l Relaxation techniques can reduce muscle tension l Some medications can help, but only in the short term

Build your physical reserves: l Do some exercises (fitness) three to four times a week. l Eat well-balanced, nutritious meals. l Mantain your ideal weight. l Avoid nicotine, too much caffeine and other stimulants. l Mix leisure with work. Take breaks and get away when you can.

Maintain your emotional reserves: l Develop some friendships and relationships l Have goals which are meaningful to you. l Always expect some frustrations, failures and sorrows l Always be kind and gentle to yourself-be a friend to yourself

Stress at work: l Can be caused by work overload l Sometimes tough jobs can be stressful l Some people can cause stress (if your boss undermines you or makes unreasonable demands) l Working environment: commuting can be frustrating just as badly organised work spaces

In the business world we often hear of rat race: l It is an intense competitive struggle where many people compete for the same goal l It is also a terrible routine which leaves no time for relaxation l Very often it is an endless pursuit which gives false hopes of achieving something l Rat race is also called treadmill

Workaholics are the most stressed people: l They are people with a compulsive need to work l Workaholics are addicted to work without knowing it l Sometimes this addiction can be pleasurable to the victim or it may be a burden and a trouble

Deadline is a very frequent stress cause: l It is a point in time at which some task must be completed l It is a time limit (due date) which must be respected at work l It is the last possible time in which to complete a task l The deadline is often externally imposed

Some solutions to stress at work are: l Flexitime (a variable work schedule which permits you to arrange your working hours as you like) l Downshifting (working in less stressful ways, choosing a simple life away from the western consumerist lifestyle) l Job satisfaction (how content you are with your job, your attitude towards your job)

People like work that is rewarding and gives them satisfaction: l For this reason some amount of pressure might be necessary l Many employees want the work that stretches them, that is difficult because that is stimulating and challenging l But when the pressure builds up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by work and this can cause stress

Today a whole stress industry has grown up: There are stress counsellors and stress therapists to give you advice how to avoid stress l Other experts say that stress levels today are lower than they used to be (they point out the difficult working conditions and long hours of our grandparents) l Perhaps the materialism of the modern times gives you the illusion that we sould have control over our lives l

An expert talks about stress: l The major causes of stress at work today are job insecurity (many people feel they couls easily lose their job), long working hours (negative work-life balance) l The typical family is a working family, with both members working which causes problems l 40 or 50 years ago none of these problems existed

Advice on how to cope with stress: l First, find the cause of stress (it might be long working hours or not enough freedom in organising your own work) l Each problem needs different solution l The situation changes depending on whether the person is a man or a woman l Women are more flexible and men tend to become angry when stressed

An unusual story: Banker swaps rat race for bus lane A bank manager has given up his 30 000 pound a year job with Nat. West to realise his childhood ambition of becoming a bus driver. l Despite the 11 000 pound salary and anti-social hours, John Burgin, 48, has never been happier. l “Banking was a career but in the end it became just a job. Once I knew I was leaving, I use to go outside at lunchtime and watch as the buses drove up and down. The time had come. ” l

His passion was awakened as a boy growing up in Sheffield, where he collected bus maps and timetables. l But he went on to spend nearly 30 years working his way up through Nat. West. l “The levels of stress are totally different. At the bank, things were very political: I worked hard all day and then took work home, and it never really finished. There is stress in driving a bus around Bristol, but it’s a different kind and I don’t take it home. l

Participating in discussions Some useful language and examples

Making suggestions: Giving opinions: l l l We could offer staff a wider choice of food. Why don’t we change the menus? How about offering healthier meals? What about having a nosmoking policy? I think we should send out a questionnaire. I think that we should ask the staff. l I feel that we have to consider the cost. l I’m sure/convinced/positive that people would like it. l

Agreeing: Disagreeing: Yes, that’s right. l I think I agree with you. l Exactly. l Good/excellent idea. l l Yes, but what about the cost? l I’m not sure I agree. l I really don’t agree.

An example of discussion: l. I think we should do a lot more to improve our staff’s health and fitness. What do you think, Monica? l I agree. For one thing we could offer them a free medical checkup every year. l Right. That’s a good idea. A lot of firms do that. And how about having a no-smoking policy in the staff restaurant? What do you think about that, Tanya?

Mm, I don’t think I like the idea very much. A lot of our staff smoke-they’d be against it, I’m sure of that. I think we should improve the food. A lot of the dishes aren’t healthy. l True. We could change the menus and offer healthier meals. I like the idea. l What about setting up a counselling service, Vincent? Some staff are under a lot of stress. l

l l l I don’t know, Monica. It would be very expensive to set up a service like that. I’ve got another suggestion. We could talk to the manager of our local sports centre and arrange a company membership. What do you think, Tanya? Mm, I don’t know. It sounds interesting but it could be very expensive. What’s your opinion Monica? I think you’re right Tanya. It would cost a lot and I’m not sure how many staff would actually use the centre.

l. I can’t agree with you there. It’s got a very good pool and sauna. l Yes, it’s worth checking out, I suppose. A lot of staff might enjoy having a swim at lunchtime or after work. l Maybe, but there are so many other things we could do.

Eating and drinking Multi word verbs

Put the following into a logical order: l Look at the menu l Ask for the bill/check l Book a table/ make a reservation l Leave a tip l Have the main course l Have a dessert l Order a starter l Have an aperitif

Write the foods below under the correct headings: Lamb, broccoli, eggs, banana, beef, peas, crab, beans, melon, pasta, lemon, tomato, lobster, fish, potato, cheese, onion, veal, chicken, prawns, apple, mussels, orange, rice FRUIT: MEAT: VEGETABLE: SEAFOOD: OTHER FOODS:

Match the options to describe some drinks: l l l Black/white Still/sparkling Red/white Single/double Bottled/draught With milk/lemon l l l Beer Wine Water Tea Coffee whisky

Multi word verbs (phrasal verbs): They are combinations of VERB + particles (at, away, down, in, on, up) l There are different types: 1. Without an object (Something has come up. ) 2. With an object-separable (Could you turn on the coffee machine? Could you turn the coffee machine on? ) l

3. Many phrasal verbs are informal (How did you find out? ) 4. Many phrasal verbs are idiomatic; their meaning is difficult to interpret: away (creating distance) I’m going away next week. on (continuing) Carry on the good work.

over (considering) I need time to think it over. up (completing) Some urgent matters need clearing up. Drink up. We’ ve got to go.

Match these sentence halves: l l l l Last week, I had to look First, I showed them around I certainly look forward I hope I can take One of them did not turn The food was deliciuos, and we all got Then, I took them out They said I should l l l l come over and see them in Coimbra the Old Town after five clients from Portugal on really well to a very good restaurant to seeing them all again up their invitation next summer up, unfortunately