Towards Personal Sustainability: Renewal as an Antidote to Stress

Udayan Dhar, Han Liu and Richard E. Boyatzis
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Udayan Dhar: Department of Organizational Behavior, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Han Liu: Department of Organizational Behavior, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Richard E. Boyatzis: Department of Organizational Behavior, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: Research about stress management has traditionally focused on reducing possible stressors. However, more recent studies have highlighted the importance of renewal as an antidote to stress. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical explanation of how renewal activities can invoke a psycho-physiological response that enhances personal sustainability. By drawing upon recent evidence from the fields of medicine, psychology, and management, we developed a conceptual understanding of how renewal activities are characterized by the movement of the individual from a negative to a positive psycho-physiological state. Such a transition happens over a tipping point, which people can enact in themselves and in others through emotional and social intelligence competencies. We illustrate this proposition with the specific case of ideal self-based coaching in the workplace that can enhance personal sustainability among both leaders and their team members.

Keywords: personal sustainability; coaching; intentional change theory; stress; renewal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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