Historically, stress had a negative connotation due to the lack of information, but by the twentieth century, it was re-defined. Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to life experiences, and both positive (eustress) and negative (distress) results derive from stress. Usually, when people talk about stress, they refer to distress (Eliopoulos, 2004). Distress is a bad type of stress and dangerous when prevalent and prolonged. Distress is an emotional toxin that, if chronically left unchecked, may spread from one person to another and eventually poison the entire work environment (Frost, 2003).


How employees perceive stressors in the work environment affects their stress levels and well-being (Buckholdt et al., 2008). The work environment has many stressors like work overload, job insecurity, lack of work method autonomy, and strained interpersonal relationships. Stressors are things or people that cause distress, and when not managed, they transform into chronic stress. Chronic stress affects employees’ motivation, mood, and cognitive abilities, and it causes significant tardiness and absenteeism, low engagement, productivity, retention, and a rise in workplace accidents


The total cost of job stress incurred by the US economy ranges from $250-$300 billion annually (Jones et al., 2003). According to the International Labour Organization, work stress is recognized worldwide as a significant health challenge for organizations and workers (ILO 1986; 1992). The CDC reported that at least 40% of Americans say their jobs as stressful, and 26% report they often feel burned out by their work (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Working Group, 1999). Work stress is associated with employee physical and mental health risks and poses a financial burden to organizations and society at large (Bo et al., 2018).


“Everybody knows what stress is, and nobody knows what it is” (Selye, 1973). Consequently, how to handle the pressure of stress. Most people handle stress by removing themselves from the environment or stressor. Employees tend to solve the chronic stress and burnout problem with a two-week notice. However, starting a new job is a temporary fix for the employee and a financial burden to both companies. Although there is no way to avoid the omnipresence of stress, it can be managed. Stress management interventions (SMI)  is a class of activities used by companies to improve employee well-being and reduce stress, principally by addressing the causes of stress or reducing the impact of stress on an individual (Holman et al., 2018). 

BE! Social Solutions takes a fun, practical approach to teaching SMI.