Volume 1, Issue 3
November , 2007
SCOPE FOR PSRP’S
WORK-RELATED STRESS
Work-related stress can cause heart disease, alcohol related illnesses, ulcers, and emotional problems. Too much stress can even make you gain weight!
Workers compensation claims related to stress have tripled since 1980. Nationwide, stress covers $150 billion each year in health care costs and lost productivity.
Common causes for stress in PSRPs:
- The growing danger of violence and theft of property.
- Harassment by supervisors or administrators including sexual harassment.
- A poor environment—including crowded classrooms and cramped workspace.
Maintenance personnel who work in noisy workrooms and boiler areas are also under stress.
Stressed workers generally feel unhappy. They are usually easily irritated at work and home, quick to anger, fatigued, lethargic and depressed. They tend to smoke more, drink more alcohol and use drugs as ways to relieve their job stress. Symptoms include headaches, gastrointestinal problems, lower back pain, insomnia and rapid loss or gain of weight.
If little is done to reduce stress, workers can become seriously ill.
WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS
What can you do?
The best thing that workers can do to relieve stress is to share their feelings with coworkers, family and friends as well as the union. Isolation can make stress-related problems worse. Support can help reduce stress.
Other ways that may help include:
Exercising—take a walk with a co-worker, friend or family member, three or four times a week.
Eating the right foods—sugar, salt, fat and alcohol all contribute to drowsiness, headaches and irritability.
Finding ways to relax that don’t involve alcohol and drugs:
Quiet time every day
(20 minutes at least) away from the demands of school and family can help relieve stress.
Other stress relievers include bubble baths and music.
Workers have reported that prayer and meditation have helped them reduce their stress levels.
Communicate—don’t bottle up problems.
Write down your problems and review them to improve the situation.
Get organized. Get a pet—stroking a pet relieves stress.
National Bullying Prevention
Awareness Week Oct. 21 - 27, 2007
National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week is sponsored by
Teachers, parents and children nationwide are encouraged to increase community awareness about the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children. Activities and materials such as contests, toolkits, and online bullying prevention training are available at http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/ to help reduce bullying in schools, recreational programs and community organizations.
States, schools and organizations are invited to be partners in the week by contacting bullying411@PACER.org.
RECEIPE OF THE MONTH : Apricot Glazed Pork
Ingredients:
- 1 packet/1 oz. Hidden Valley® The Original Ranch® Salad Dressing; Seasoning Mix
- 6 slices Pork loin, 1-inch thick
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 cup Apricot preserves
Preparation Prep Time: 15 min
Bake Time: 35 min
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine dressing and seasoning mix together with the breadcrumbs. Coat each pork slice with the crumb mixture. Place in a baking dish and cover evenly with the preserves. Bake approximately 25-35 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked.
