Executive Stress Management: Physiological Load of Stress and Recovery in Executives on Workdays

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Dec 13;15(12):2847. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15122847.

Abstract

Objective: The use of high-performance sports technology to describe the physiological load of stress and the quality of recovery in a population of executives during the workday. Methodology: Heart rate variability values were recorded during 48 h from which the relationship between stress/recovery quality (stress balance) was obtained for three differentiated time slots: work, after work, and night in a workday. Results: We observed a negative stress balance during the 24 h of measurement in the course of a workday, being negative at work and after work, and positive at night. The stress generated or maintained outside working hours correlates significantly with a lower quality of recovery during the 24 h workday. Conclusions: It is necessary to prioritize strategies that help improve stress management in executives through the improvement of tools and strategies that mainly promote greater relaxation outside working hours.

Keywords: business; executives; health; human resources; physiology; stress; stress management; technology.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology*
  • Administrative Personnel*
  • Adult
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Health*
  • Stress, Physiological / physiology*