"War Room" Stress Management

Jakob Steinberg PhD ABMP BCETS
Board Certified Medical Psychotherapist
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress
Professor of Psychology-Fairleigh Dickinson University

Robin Fried Steinberg MA
Adjunct Professor of Psychology-Fairleigh Dickinson University

When a catastrophic event impacts an organization, stress permeates the system and the employees who work there. This stress is concentrated in the "war room" where the important efforts to achieve recovery will be concentrated. During a disaster recovery operation, the assumption is that all stress is negative or counterproductive. However, it is not necessarily the case. When disaster strikes, the agency/business that has a comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plan ready to implement has already begun to reduce the effects of stress on the system. To the extent that the plan has been outlined, tested, practiced, and procedures updated will directly effect the level of stress of the organization. When the recovery plan also accounts for the human resources, it increases the likelihood that the "war room" will be staffed by people who are trained to cope with stressors more effectively.

Reduce the Level of Stress: Be Prepared

Practice/drill your "war room" protocol and procedures: The better prepared the more effective the outcome.

The fastest way to manage stressors is to implement your disaster recovery plan.

• Clarify roles: All "war room" personnel must know what is expected of them in that business context. The staff has prioritized agendas and is familiar with the disaster protocol. Implementing an Incident Command Structure is crucial.

Higher level of clarity of role ® lower level of stress

• Establish communication: Open all outgoing and incoming lines of communication to include the Incident Command Structure; media and community officials; remote site and personnel. It is especially important to manage the media attention effectively.

Higher level of accuracy of info ® lower level of stress

• Semantics: Use of short, clear statements to convey information tends to reduce interpersonal stress. This skill is an aid for personnel trying to stay focused while inundated with demands for information, and decisions. Use this technique to speak: internally (in "war room") and externally (outside contacts).

High use of short informed statements ® lower level of stress

• Humor: Appropriate humorous references are a common and effective stress buster. Humor is not taboo in the midst of a disaster. Release of situational stress is constructive and may enhance performance in this circumstance.

Higher use of humor ® lower level of stress

• Sustenance: A good way to control increased blood pressure, accelerated heart rate, excessive perspiration, and other physical symptoms of stress is to drink water, diet/decaffeinated soda, or diluted fruit juice. Eating high sugar snacks is also discouraged. The body’s natural reaction to stress is stimulation and arousal.

Higher intake of healthy foods and liquids ® lower level of stress

• Exercise: If you do this kind of work it is paramount to take time out. Change position. A good way to limit physical stress is to move the large muscle groups...take a walk, stretch.

Higher level of physical comfort ® lower level of stress

• Breath: With the intensity of a "war room," the stressors can be environmental (poor air circulation), physical (cramped quarters, uncomfortable setting), and psychological (traumatic problems). Using a simple breathing technique for stress reduction is really effective. Breath deeply in through the nose; hold two counts; slowly release blowing out through the mouth, to a four count. Repeat four times. This will relax you, increase oxygen to the brain and enable personnel to get back to task with renewed concentration.

Higher use of relaxation methods ® lower level of stress

• Debriefing: It is essential to employ regular use of defusings and debriefings for "war room" personnel. Consider the use of a Crisis Intervention Specialist (a certified, licensed mental health professional), as part of the disaster recovery process.

Higher use of human resource professionals ® lower level of stress

Jakob Steinberg PhD ABMP BCETS
Board Certified Medical Psychotherapist
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress
Professor of Psychology-Fairleigh Dickinson University

Robin Fried Steinberg MA
Adjunct Professor of Psychology-Fairleigh Dickinson University

For more information:
Contact Jakob Steinberg at (973) 586-8770
or Email at crisismgmt@nac.net

This article may not be reprinted, reproduced or distributed in part, or in total, without the express written consent of the authors. Copyright © Health Psychology Group 1998. All Rights Reserved.