Back-to-work stress – could a novel technique help people overcome it?

PhD student Despina Djama explains how her study could help people experiencing stress at work
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Summer is a prime time of year to take holiday or at least have a change in routine.
While some will look forward to a return to normality, over half of people around the UK have reported workplace stress, so may be dreading the coming weeks.
In order to combat stress, we need resilience – and we are testing whether a technique known as Functional Imagery Training (FIT) can help people build the skills to become more resilient.
Combat work stress

Find out more and take part in the study

What is FIT?

FIT was developed at the University of Plymouth and involves learning a range of mental skills to stay focused on personal goals and stay motivated to achieve them.
Studies have already shown that it helps people lose weight and enhances performance in athletes. Now our study is testing if FIT can help people feel more resilient at work.
Whatever your industry, if you live in the South West, we really want to hear from you.
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How will the study work?

FIT will run in a group setting where you can get the most out of shared experiences and, at the same time, develop your own bespoke plan for feeling more resilient. We build on people’s existing personal strengths and achievements, and train psychological skills to come up with bespoke solutions to obstacles people may face at work.
Despite uncertainty and unexpected changes at work, we have all met or know someone who is not only able to be flexible when situations change, but able to thrive in the face of uncertainty – demonstrating resilience. It isn’t the case that this person is completely immune to stress, but they are able to stay focused when things get tough.
As researchers, we want to know what makes people more resilient than others – and whether we can train less resilient people to develop the skills to cope.
Participants in our research have already shared that resilience at work is about adapting when situations change, and highlighted that solving problems when things get tough is a key resilience skill. Others said that persevering through challenges and being able to maintain a positive mindset is what sets resilient people apart from others.
It’s important we test the FIT technique to see if we can build these skills, and help people to achieve their goals at work.

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