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Stress management has become a very timely and popular workshop, and numerous groups and professionals now offer stress management programs. Certain components in a stress management program distinguish a poor to mediocre program from a professional, state-of-theart program. Any program that provides more than a few hours of material should have more than a single focus. For example, programs that focus solely on time management or on relaxation training are providing only one technique for stress management. Also, programs that focus only on identifying the stressors (those things in our work and personal lives that are sources of stress) and then spend the remaining time suggesting ways to change those outside sources of stress are neglecting one of the more powerful techniques in stress management, that of changing certain thoughts, perceptions, and beliefs about those stressors.
The following components are part of any comprehensive stress management program and should be found in the description of proposals to conduct these programs. Each of these components is necessary for a successful program, but, alone, none are sufficient.
First, the program must provide information on the physical consequences of stress and allow participants to assess their own physical response to stress. The content should, help participants understand the physical stress reaction and decide if they need to seek medical advice and treatment. Second, the distinction between stressors, outside negative events that precipitate the stress response, and the individual's stress response should be made. A program of assessing participant's beliefs and attitudes as they affect their reactions to stressors is a major part of an effective stress management program. An excellent resource for materials on changing beliefs and attitudes toward a more rational coping response is the work of Albert Ellis, and Robert Harper ( 1975). This component in the program helps participants deal with the difficult situations that they are not able to change. The participants thereby reduce the stress they experience.
Third, a component on relaxation training is a useful part of the program. Additional components on nutrition, breathing, exercise, and topics such as time management and assertiveness training are often included as part of stress management training if there is available time.
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