Fight the Stress Epidemic – Hints on How to Reduce Stress
June 18, 2010 No Comments
The Australian economy loses $14.81 billion a year as a result of employees unable to work due to stress.
A 2008 Australian report found that workers miss an average of 3.2 working days a year because they are too stressed to function.
In addition to lost output, further costs are required to retrain or hire new staff when the workers are eventually unable to cope.
The workplace isn’t the only victim to stress. Students at school or university are under constant pressure to perform and meet demanding deadlines while too participating in extra-curricular activities.
Good vs negative
Good stress is motivating. It keeps us focused and gears us up to meet a challenge. In emergencies, our “fight or flight” response to stress may enable us to get out of danger or perform at a higher capacity. As an example, imagine yourself being chased by a hungry tiger. In this case, your heart rate and blood flow to your muscles would increase, and you would find that you would be running faster than ever before!
However, when stress becomes unrelenting and our body fails to relax, it can be a real threat to our health and wellbeing, including our work whether it is on the job or part of our studies. Among students, counselors are encountering worrying levels of anxiety and depression and a tendency to inflict self-harm especially worse during exam periods. This just highlights the crisis our society is facing in which stress is having a detrimental effect at an early age.
With a growing rate of stress-related conditions plaguing our nation, including anxiety, depression and heart conditions, it is vital to implement changes to combat this damaging epidemic.
Hints on how to reduce stress
Procrastination is your enemy!
Effectively managing your time is vital for most of these tips to work. Be sure to set realistic goals, but be wary of being a perfectionist since this often leads to more undue stress. See my previous article on the benefits of time management
Revision is key!
For students, exam time can be overwhelming. With exams looming and not enough study time left, stress can easily creep in. A good habit to develop is to make revision notes after each class or lecture. Then by exam time you will be revising what you have already revised in the past and condensed into key points.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”
We’ve all heard the phrase; and it’s true! Working or studying for extended periods of time can bore even the most industrious of people. During times of increased workload or study, it’s best not to break your regular routine of relaxation and exercise (unless it leaves you with no time for work). Going for a walk, run, or to the gym is not a waste of time, it is a great way to clear your head and help you work better.
Ditch the Red Bull!
Working until early hours of the morning dosed up with Red Bull isn’t the best way to learn. Caffeine and other drugs may give you an initial hit, but quickly fades and leaves you unable to sleep or concentrate properly. You actually work better with regular breaks, sufficient sleep, and from exercising.
Suffering in silence
Are your job conditions the cause of your stress? Suffering in silence may only make you feel more pressured. Talk to your employer! If they don’t know there’s a problem, they can’t help. Point out to them that less job-stress will result in increased productivity and overall benefit to the company.
Is it a need or want?
Financial debt can put a huge burden on your shoulders and make you feel the need to work harder as a result. Minimizing financial stress plays a large role in reducing your body’s overall stress levels. But working harder isn’t always to answer. Have you noticed that the more money you earn, the more you spend? Ask yourself, “Do I really need to work those extra shifts? Do I have a budget? If so, am I following it each week?”
Learning to be content with less is realistic and practical. Try to control your spending, resisting any impulse buys. Ask yourself, “Is this a need or a want?” Teach your children the wise use of money, and set limits to the amount that you give them. In this way, you won’t be shocked when you receive your next credit card statement!
Talk to a friend
Sharing your worries with a friend can be relieving. Speak to them about what’s going on in your life and you may be surprised to find that he or she is experiencing the very same issue. If you are in a relationship, good communication can be a real source of mutual comfort and support. It takes effort to practice healthy communication but it is highly beneficial in the long run. How about enhancing the stress relief by talking to your friend while out on a leisurely walk along the coast!
Enable the body’s natural healing ability
Often a good warm bath or massage can go a long way in reducing stress. Furthermore, a chiropractic adjustment may provide even greater stress relief. Chiropractic is based on the concept that given the opportunity, the mind and body can heal itself. In relieving some of the effects of chronic stress (such as muscle tension and joint dysfunction), chiropractic care provides just such an opportunity.
Fight the epidemic!
We all face increased levels of stress at times. But it’s how we handle it that makes difference. Don’t allow stress to leave you in dis-tress!
Of course, this is just a handful of the many tips available on how to reduce stress. You can find plenty more stress management resources online or in the form of books, brochures and counselors.
Dr Sean Tan is a chiropractor at Capacity Health, Subiaco, Perth Western Australia. Read more…
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