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Stress is an increasing danger in the workplace. Employees at all levels within an organisation can be affected by stress and suffer poor performance and illness as a result.

According to a recent survey undertaken by the Institute of Management, 75% of executives report that stress adversely affects their health, happiness, home life and performance at work. The Health & Safety Executive have also indicated that stress is likely to become the biggest risk to business in the early-21st century.

Stress: how does it happen?

At its most instinctive level our body is designed either to stand and fight or to run away. Each of these options enable the body to release the build up of adrenaline that occurs naturally, thereby ridding the body of potential stress and tension.

When these instincts are transferred to our everyday lives, for example, to an office setting, a very different situation occurs and we control our bodies’ reactions during workplace experiences.

During stressful situations, such as a difficult meeting, we are not permitted to become physically aggressive, nor are we permitted to run away. As a result we will often experience a quickening heartbeat, tightening of muscles, a rise in blood pressure, suppression of the immune system, dilation of the pupils, holding of breath and a loss of focus.

Essentially, the body is not able to fight or flee to rid itself of the pressures placed upon it. As a result the body absorbs these pressures in a negative fashion. Jin Sei Kai identified this as negative responses that the body stores in the muscle memory. Repeated experiences of this nature over many months and years develop tension as the muscles shorten and become stiff and weak. This downward spiral occurs because the body does not have a release mechanism and the stress to our bodies becomes worse during a slow and steady breakdown.

Common illnesses and physical conditions that occur as a result of stress include: high blood pressure, migraines, irritable bowel, skin irritations, arthritis, sluggish memory, emotional problems and personality changes.

Jin Sei Kai Corporate Services International has worked with individuals, groups and organisations for over twelve years to counter and minimise the impact of stress and stress-related conditions.

Jin Sei Kai provides participants with the understanding, knowledge and awareness to manage stressful situations, should they arise. By equipping employees with this capability, organisations encourage productivity and minimise ill health and absenteeism.


An employers’ responsibility to minimise stress

Many organisations are recognising the impact of stress on employee wellbeing and overall business performance. As a result they are investing in innovative techniques to improve employees’ ability to recognise, address and manage stress.

Although there is no statute specifically covering the issue of stress in the workplace, current legislation under the European framework directive 83/391 requires all employers to have a “duty to ensure the safety and health of every aspect related to work” in so far as they entail a risk to health and safety. This duty does cover work-related stress and its causes and as such organisations are seeking ways to facilitate stress management in the workplace.


The positive impact of Jin Sei Kai: participant case study

Jonathan Crone currently works for BAA at Gatwick Airport. Here he talks about his experience of working with Paul Perry, Jin Sei Kai’s founder and director, and how the training has enabled him to manage personal stress levels and support his personal development.

A great way to manage stress and get fit
“I became involved with Jin Sei Kai when I was working with BAA on the development of the new Terminal Five at Heathrow Airport. A member of the project team I worked with – which was a combination of BAA employees and Turner & Townsend contractors – recommended training with Paul Perry and Jin Sei Kai as an opportunity for us to work better as a team, as well as being a chance for us to get fitter,” says Jonathan.

“The training was also important to us as a way for us to manage stress in the workplace. Construction and project management are two high-pressure environments to work in and we wanted to find different ways of managing stress in a positive way.”

Making time to train
“We all made an agreement to book a one hour training session in our diaries every week,” explains Jonathan. “It was a real challenge to keep this space free and on average I think that we all managed to attend all but one session each month, despite the best efforts of others to book meetings while we were supposed to be training!”

“The training initially focused on stretching, enabling us all to become more supple. Following this introduction, Paul introduced more karate moves and techniques and although I didn’t know much about karate to begin with, I was fascinated by it and the opportunity to learn more in a safe and non-confrontational environment.”

“The sessions have really improved my confidence and I think that we all benefited from starting from the same point. As a group we have developed together and have all recently been awarded our purple belts,” he says.

A catalyst for personal development
“The training has really helped with my personal development and from a team perspective we now all get on better and have bonded as friends and colleagues. It has also enabled me to think in a calmer way, especially in tense situations or when being challenged in the workplace. I think I would lose my temper too easily in the past, but as a result of the training I have definitely changed for the better and become much more tolerant of others.”

“As I have moved up the management ladder I think I have developed strong technical knowledge and awareness, but that there is an ongoing need to reflect on my own ability and develop a strong sense of self understanding. I think this can be achieved through Jin Sei Kai,” comments Jonathan.