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The Cincinnati EnquirerIYoni Pozner
Professor George Manning tackles a common complaint in Stress: Living and Working in a Changing World.
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Posilive anilude, rearty chec scan help vou shoulder burdens
BY SUE MacDONALD
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In case you haven't noticed,
the world is changing.
George Manning has been
noticing for years now, and
the Northern Kentucky Uni­
versity psychology professor
sees it everywhere he goes.
Change happens, and change
causes stress.
People are stressed at work
and home. Some can't get along
with co-workers or their own
kids. Ahnost everyone's being
asked to do more with less.
Everyone has specific
things that set them off ­
newfangled computers, tech­
nology that changes by the
minute, company mergers
and buyouts, language barri­
ers in an increasingly cos­
mopolitan world and work
force, even kids' soccer prac­
tices that start before work is
supposed to end.
"Generally, the biggest
cause of stress in the work­
place is change, and attitude is
the key to coping with stress,'
says Dr. Manning, author of
Stress: Living and Working in a
Changing World (Whole Per­
son Associates; $29.95).
Resisting change, he says,
sets up a cycle of anxiety, apa­
thy and constant frustration, .
because nothing ever seems
.
1 4-.....
....
"
.
lege's first and only business
professor. Later, he became
administrator of the business
department and now teaches
psychology.
In addition to classroom
duties, he conducts numerous
training sessions in the Tris­
tate and around the United
States to help employees and
businesses cope positively
with stress and change.
"} think there's an art in
dealing with
stress, and it
comes with prac­
tice," he says.
Some stress is
necessary and
good, he points
out Stress can
inspire people to
flee from things
that are harmful,
and if. can inspire
creativity, hard work, dedica­
tion and self-fulfillment
'Without stress, you would­
n't even be alive," he says.
"But there's a difference
between good stress and dis­
tress."
... Keep th ings in perspec­
tive. "JU"I a,;k you rself, 'Is Ih is
a hell worth dying for?' Few
things arc.1oe ones tllat are
are thOSE' that come [rom con­
flictover your values."
... Maintain healthy rela­
tioriships. "Surround yourself
with people who lift you up.
Relationships produce defi­
nite physiolo.',jcal responses,
and positive relationships are
the key. As you sow, so shall
you reap," he says. I
"Jfyou sow love, you:
become the
:
beloved."
:
... Use positive
self-talk to keep
yourself inspired.
Surround yourself
with positive books,
magazines and
information - any
input that goes into
your brain. ("No garbage in,
no garbage out," he says,
adding a slight twist to the
popular expression).
What causes stress in Dr.
Manning's own life?
Dealing with stress
Dr. Manning proudly
admits that he loves his work
- it provides daily inspiration
and positive feedback. Filling
out grades is one of the few
drudgeries he can pinpoint
He offers these tips for
dealing with change and
stress:
... Seek out a hardy person­
ality, one in which YQU feel in
r
0
l'
pit
Keeping stress at bay
To kppn c::trpc::c::
::It
h::lv hp
George's Top 3
Sb'ess Busters
1. "Marry the right person,
because about 90 percent of
your misery or happiness will
come from that."
2. "Do the work you love ."
3. "Count your blessings,
because everybody has'
some."
Tbeformula
lor bumout
You 're likely to get frustrated,
worn out, uninspired or
exhausted by life, family or
your job unless the right kinds
of attitudes and supports are
in place Dr. George Manning,
psychology professor at
Northern Kentucky University,
says the formula for burnout
includes:
ill> Too many demands on your
strength and resources over a
prolonged time, plus .
... High expectations and deep
personal involvement in your
work, plus ...
... Too few actions taken to
replenish the energy that's
consumed in meeting your
demands.
Major sources of work stress
identified in a study by the
American Academy of Family
Physicians were work over­
load, pressure from superiors,
deadlines and low salaries.
ask d to do more with Jess.
Everyone has specific
things that set them off­
newfangled computers, tech­
nology that changes by the
minute, company mergers
and buyouts, language barri­
ers in an increasingly cos­
mDpolitan world and work
force, even kids' soccer prac­
tices that start before work is
supposed to end.
"Generally, the biggest
cause of stress i.il. the work­
place is change, and attitudeis
the key to coping with stress,'
says Dr. Manning, author of
comes WIth prac­
tice," he says.
Some stress is
necessary and
good, he points
out StreSs can
inspire people to
flee from things
that are harmful,
and it can inspire
creativity, hard work, dedica­
tion and self-fulfillment
"Without stress, you would­
n't even be alive," he says.
"But there's a difference
between good stress and dis­
tress."
.
Stress: Living and Working in a
Changing World (Whole Per- , Dealing with stress
He offers these tips for
son Associates; $29,95),
dealing with change and
Resisting change, he says,
stress:
sets up a cycle of anxiety, apa­
• Seek out a hardy person­
thy and constant frustration, .
ality, one in which you feel in
because nothing ever seems
control of your environment,
to go right or the way some­
your time, your output and
one expected.
results.
"If YOl\'re dealing with
• Mesh your values with
change, you want to be in a
state of openness, exploration, how you allocate your time
each day.
responsibility and commit­
• Keep a positive attitude.
ment," he says.
Staying optimistic stimulates
Voice of experience
energy, hones focus and .
increases your ability to do
Certainly, job responsibili­
your job well.
ties have changed for Dr.
Manning since he joined' the
• Don't deny reality. "See
change for what it is. First and
NKU faculty in 1970. At the
time, he was the fledgling col- foremost, tell the truth."
become ti1e
beloved."
• Use positive
self-talk to keep
yourself inspired .
Surround yourself
with positive books,
magazines and
information - any
input that goes into
your brain, ("No garbage in,
no garbage out," he says,
adding a slight twist to the
popular expression) .
What causes stress in Dr.
Manning's own life?
Keeping stress at bay
Dr. Manning proudly
admits that he loves his work
- it provides daily inspiration
and positive feedback . Filling
out grades is one of the few
drudgeries he can pinpoint.
To keep stress at bay, he
finds time for regular racquet­
ball matches with his friends
and colleagues. He enjoys
time with his wife of 32 years,
Nancy, on their Grant County
farm.
And he takes his own
advice - staying positive,
staying focused, doing the
work he loves.
"Look for the opportUnity
that comes .with change," he
says.
You're likely to get fru strated,
worn out, uninspired or
exhausted by life, family or
your job unless the right kinds
of attitudes and supports are
in place. Dr. George Manning,
psychology professor at
Northern Kentucky University,
says tt1 C formula for burnout
includes:
~ Too many demands on your
strengtl1 and resources over a
prolonged time, plus , ..
.. High expectations and deep
personal involvement in your
work, plus ...
• Too few actions taken to
replenish the eriergy that's
consumed in meeting your
demands.
Major sources of work stress
identified in astudy by the
American Academy of Family
Physicians were work over­
load, pressure from superiors,
deadlines and low salaries.
Among life events, the most
stressfu I are death of a
.spouse, divorce, marital sepa­
ration, jail term, death of a
close family member, personal
injury or illness, marriage,
being fired, retirement and marital reconciliation. Stress also plays out physical­
ly, and people under high stress are more likely to have allergies, migraines, back pain, depression, sleep problem and .' other health complaints.