There are numerous interventions available to companies that aim to decrease Stress and increase cohesion and co-operation. The financial cost to company of these exercises is relatively easy to determine, but determining the true value, which determines the ROI, is almost impossible.
The core value proposition of HCSM is our ability to measure Stress, and the effectiveness of Stress Management Interventions. We measure the stress levels of your team, and provide effective solutions where required.
STRESS
The term Stress is well used, to the point that its definition, function, and effects are often lost. Medically it is a biological defence mechanism called The Acute Stress Response.
The Problem of The Acute Stress Response
The Acute Stress Response, by design and by its actions, is a well functioning protection mechanism.
Historically, in early human development, it is estimated that the Acute Stress Response would be activated 2-3 times per week on average. This rate would allow the body time to recover from the negative effects of the unnatural increase in these hormones.
In our “modern” times the Acute Stress Response is often activate daily, or several times per day. Without the required recovery time, the effects of the ongoing chemical imbalance results in physical, mental, and psychological damage.
The negative effects of the Acute Stress Response include a number of well researched and verified biological and neurological conditions, which dramatically lower cognitive ability, physical well being and, longevity. In real terms, ones mental well being, the ability to make effective decisions, physical health, and work performance decreases.
In short, unmanaged, the Acute Stress Response effects your companies performance.
The result of this damage is well researched and includes the following:
- Chronic depression and anxiety and left untreated, Burnout.
- High blood pressure and heart damage increasing the risk of cardiac arrest, and leading to early death.
- A range of digestive tract disorders
- Decreased functioning of the reproduction system – Loss of desire & performance
- Decrease in cognitive functioning – decision making & relationship management.
HCSM – Our Role
HCSM scientifically measures, verifies, and provides remedial actions to decrease and manage the effects of the Acute Stress Response in individuals.
We collate this information into a report displaying results and trends. This information allows for both individual and company-wide interventions to manage the stress levels. Regular testing accurately determines the effects of these interventions
The result of the succesful monitoring and management of stress is a competitive differential. It provides an increase in mental and physical performance, quality decision making, physical and mental well-being, which translates into positive company performance.
THE ACUTE STRESS RESPONSE
The Acute Stress Response is our biological response to a perceived challenge or threat. This response consists of two distinct processes.
1. The Sympathetic-Adrenal-Medullary Axis – SAM
2. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis – HPA
1. The Sympathetic-Adrenal-Medullary Axis – SAM
The Stress process, an automatic reaction, is initiated when we become aware of a potential challenge or threat through our senses i.e. sight, hearing, feeling, smell, or taste. The information collected by our senses is sent to our brain via our nervous system, and processed by the Amygdala.
The Amygdala receives and evaluates this information against it own database of previous experiences and outcomes. If the Amygdala perceives a potential challenge or threat, it responds by sending a message to the Hypothalamus, which instructs the Adrenal glands to secrete adrenalin into the body, which results in an increase of adrenalin of up to 500%.
The effects of the Adrenalin entering our bloodstream includes increasing the heart rate, increasing blood pressure, expanding the air passages of the lungs, enlarging the pupil in the eye, decreasing the sensitivity to pain, improving vision, hearing and other senses, slowing digestion, redistributing blood to the muscles and altering the body’s metabolism, so as to maximize oxygen and nutrients to the body and increase blood glucose levels which increases the speed of our brain.
It prepares the body for action, for what we know as the “Fight or Flight” reaction.
2. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis – HPA
The HPA axis process activates approximately ten seconds after the SAM axis process. The Amygdala re-evaluates the situation and if it determines that the threat is real, sends a signal to the Hypothalamus, which in turn sends a signal to the Pituitary gland.
The Pituitary gland releases two hormones. The first, Corticotropine, ensures that the adrenal glands continue producing and releasing adrenalin, and the second, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH). ACTH stimulates the production and release of Cortisol.
Cortisol is powerful, it increases the blood pressure and cardiac output which results in more blood flowing to your skeletal muscles . It increases the production and circulating levels of glucose in your blood. Shuts down the processes that are not required to deal with the threat, including digestive and reproductive systems, and places you in a state of high alertness. The HPA process continues for as long as the Amygdala perceives the threat is present.
HCSM – Founder
HCSM was founded in 2024 by Pieter van Vuuren.
Pieter van Vuuren is a retired Education & Training management executive, with a specialisation in operations. He successfully carried out these functions in South Africa, The United Kingdom, and the Middle East.
Previous positions include:
- Director of Operations – Training Connection – Johannesburg
- CEO – GTSLearning-Africa – Johannesburg
- Director Operations & Sales- GTSLearning-Worldwide – London
- Founder & CEO – ITS – Middle East
Retiring from corporate activity he founded The Life Coach Guy (www.thelifecoachguy.co.za) in Johannesburg. The work in this field brought to his attention the cost and negative effects of Stress on People and Business. This led to the creation of HCSM.
