Stress. We all experience some form of it on a regular basis. In small doses, it can be positive – the pressure of a deadline can help us produce our best work. But for some, stress can be a major feature in our lives, aff ecting us mentally, emotionally and physically. What happens when it stops being positive and how can we better deal with it?
Spotting the signals
Many things in our environment can lead to stress but, for a lot of us, work is one of the main factors. According to the Health and Safety Executive, work-related pressure, anxiety or depression accounts for over half of all working days lost to ill health in Britain. Forty-four per cent of these cases were attributed to workload. UKCP psychotherapist Susan Smith explains in our podcast that stress can often see us returning to our coping mechanisms – drinking too much, overeating or not eating enough. Or we might find ourselves checking that we’ve locked the front door 20 times before we leave the house. It is vital that we recognise these signs. What’s your way of coping?