Stress and Performance Too much stress can contribute to health problems. Stress can also reduce your ability to perform at your highest levels. The negative effects of stress can impact your profitability and quality of life. The physical response: The stress response: Will increase your heart rate, speed up your breathing or you may hold your breath, contract muscles to prepare for fight or flight, direct blood to the brain and major muscles (away from digestion, hands/feet, reproductive organs), releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, slows or stops digestion, makes the brain more reactive/less reflective, increases sweating, reduces the response of the immune system. Each of these systems can become your habitual way of responding to stressful situations. Symptoms of stress may include: tension headaches, neck/back/shoulder pain, tight jaw, TMJ problems, sleep problems, fatigue, loss of concentration, learning problems may increase, irregular or rapid heartbeat , migraines, poor circulation, Raynaud's syndrome, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction (in men and women), digestive problems, stomach disorders, ulcers, colitis, hormonal imbalances, decreased immune system function, overreaction from the immune system ( allergies or worse autoimmune diseases), increased asthma activity, increased rate of aging, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, poor habit control, overeating, low energy, prone to accidents or mistakes, may impair communication, poor performance, etc. It's not so much the amount of stress, but how you respond to it. Some people thrive on stress and may be addicted to the adrenaline rush that accompanies high stress or dangerous activities. Most people develop a “habit pattern” from an early age because… middle of paper… the program is supported by “top down” leadership involvement. (The process will work without full leadership support, but it takes longer and may reach its full potential.) Leaders who are familiar with the beneficial outcomes of Executive Coaching are often open to the effective use of these techniques (combined with stress management consultancy) and can see the results of their business goals. The process can work with individuals, teams, departments or the entire company. It is recommended to test the process by working with a sample of the company's departments. The process may take time for evaluations and benchmarking, then implementation. Of course, some departments, such as sales, may show improvement in dollar figures. Results from other departments may require different metrics to define and therefore demonstrate positive change.