Managing Stress - Stress Is A Choice

Simply put, stress occurs when a person is not able to cope with the demands placed upon them. It's an instinctive reaction to 'fight or flight'. These days we're no longer fleeing from sabre-toothed tigers or hunting woolly mammoths but the physical response is the same when we're put in a stressful situation. The hormones released and physical changes prepare our bodies to deal with the situation but those now tend to be traffic jams, deadlines, confrontation, relationships and life changes.

Stress can be both positive and negative. A certain level of stress is good - it stirs us into action and gives us a push to meet deadlines, deal with confrontations and adds spice to life. However, too much stress affects the body both physically, mentally and emotionally and causes a loss of performance and ultimately a breakdown of the body resulting in illness.

Undue stress varies greatly from one person to another. What is stressful for one person is enjoyable for someone else. People can handle different and varying levels of stress so there is no 'one-size fits all' approach when dealing with stress.

Stress can result in digestive, back and skin problems, insomnia, high-blood pressure, weight problems, heart disease, headaches, depression? the list goes on. It's one of the main reasons people are off sick from work. Even less serious symptoms like lack of concentration, low energy levels, forgetfulness, being late and frequent colds can all be signs of stress.

One in five people are stressed at work.

Almost 30 days are lost per stress related incident and over 12.8 million days are lost per year!

Stress costs UK businesses £3.7 billion a year.

The old saying of 'pull yourself together' or 'just get on with it' is not helpful any more. Know what causes you stress and then you can either reduce it or learn how to deal with it better.

Look after yourself:

eat a healthy, balanced dietavoid excessive stimulants - coffee, tea, cigarettes and alcoholtake regular exercise - include gentle exercise like Yoga or Tai Chiallow time for yourself, your family and friendstake up meditation

Adjust your workload:

work fewer hourslearn to say "no"take responsibilitystart being pro-active instead of reactivedon't 'sweat the small stuff'improve your skillswork within your own ability

Take some time this month to think about your own stress levels and what you could do to improve and reduce your stress.

Clare Evans is the author of a time management book. She is a personal and business coach and enables individuals and business owners to get more out of their day and make better use of their time.

How good is your Time Management - find out in my FREE Time Audit and get free articles, information, tips and resources when you register for her free newsletter http://www.clareevans.co.uk/

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