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Stress

STRESS is the ever growing 20th century phenomenon that is making society ill.

Forget the promises of the 1960's when new technology was going to bring about a brave new world of leisure. In reality the reverse seems to be true, and it is making us a stressed out generation.

By far the biggest cause of stress is the ever-increasing hours worked by an increasing number of people.

The TUC says stress at work is a prime cause of sick leave - and its getting worse.

Research shows Mancunians are among the hardest-working and most stressed-out people in Britain. The latest study by experts in Manchester reveals how lives here and throughout the country are being ruined by work stress, which in turn, is taking a damaging toll on health, family relationships and overall quality of family-life.

Leading academic Professor Cary Cooper and his team at UMIST have been tracking 5,000 executives, from shop-floor managers to powerful company chairmen for the past four years to see how working practices have changed.

Prof Cooper said: ''The really big issue is the long-hours culture - it's just killing them, because they feel they have to work them.'' And he says its the same across the board.

With more than 40% of people regularly working 51-plus hours a week and 10% regularly putting in 60-hours the majority of those quizzed say every aspect of life is damaged - their health, community involvement, morale, relationships with their partners and children - and even productivity.

More than 76% of men and 84% of women felt it was particularly damaging the relationship with their children.

Prof Cooper said: ''There is now a lack of home/work balance. People feel they have to work all these hours just to keep their jobs. That's bad for them and bad for their families, and quality of life is suffering.

''The workplace revolution means that job security has gone and people are worried about having their contracts renewed. So they work longer and longer hours, frightened of losing their jobs, becoming stressed out and burnt out. As a result loyalty, morale and motivation are decreasing - and so is productivity.''

A spokesman for the TUC said: ''Employers must recognise that their employees have lives beyond the workplace. By helping them achieve a better balance between their home and work lives, businesses will actually reap benefits.

''An over-stressed employee will not work at their best, and if the situation goes on too long will become ill, with all that entails for both employer and employee.''

So if its not going to go away...what can we do about it?

What Is Stress?

Well its not new and its an important part of our make-up. When danger threatens, we prepare for fight or flight.

Stress hormones are released into the bloodstream arming us to battle or run. They are incredibly powerful, and this sudden burst can help us perform jobs at a peak.

The trouble is that instead of using these stress hormones in emergencies, we're living at such a pace that we activate them all the time, so our minds and bodies don't get the chance to rest after such stress-filled moments.

And stress is now linked to a whole host of chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, depression and irritable bowel syndrome. It can be an ever-downward spiral causing the body to become reliant on other stimulants such as alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.

Spotting stress

Stress is a warning sign. There is only so much we can take, and if we can't control it, it can end up controlling us. There are literally hundreds of signs of stress.

They range from insomnia, tearfulness, constant tiredness, headaches and ever-present anxiety to frequent colds and infections, loss of libido, skin complaints or eating disorders.

We can become irritable, vague, forgetful, find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions.

Stress busting techniques

FIRSTLY don't turn to the bottle, pills or smoking. They might all seem to bring a brief relief, but in the end can be bad for health and make stress worse. We have to learn to manage the stress, and take back control.

Here are some suggestions:

• Keep a notebook: Some people find it useful to keep a note of stressful happenings. Once you realise what is causing the stress, you can try to work out a solution.
• Time for me: ''Time Famine'' is the curse of the age. There is just not enough time in an overloaded day to fit in everything we would like. Making lists, planning and organising in advance can help ease the strain. Prioritise, do your best, don't feel guilty if you can't achieve everything.
• Relax: Find 10 minutes to sit or lie down quietly, clear your head, let your mind drift, don't think of anything. Or try listening to relaxation tapes.
• Exercise: When you're really tired and stressed, exercise can help. The effort re-vitalises you, leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
• Aromatherapy: many people find the aroma of these oils very relaxing, especially when combined with massage, or a soothing bath.
• Meditation: Another way of clearing the mind of clutter to relax the whole mind and body. Often it means spending a short time each day just focusing on emptying the mind by repeating a word or phrase like a mantra.
• Yoga: Tones the body, and relaxes the mind. Regular practitioners seem to become poised and peaceful.

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