Charts Displaying Stress

Is stress a 21st century condition?  Has it always been around?  Did people just deal with it differently before?  What are the answers?  It seems as though stress is a recent condition because it’s only over the last 150+ yrs that there have been such massive changes in the pace of life, in westernized countries anyway.

And this seems to be emphasized whenever we catch a television documentary showing a different culture with a much slower pace, where inhabitants are slim and a leisurely lifestyle going about day-to-day life?

Stress – A 21st Century Condition

My view is the change has evolved with post-industrialization, where technology changed everything (which enables me to write this today).  But there’s no doubt that these are very exciting times.

Executive Stress

But some people are suffering with the pace, especially those in high-powered jobs, rushing to meet deadlines with the embedded cost penalties applied where a fail incurs and questions have to be answered.

Yet we’re only human and that’s a factor that’s sometimes overlooked.  We’re not machines able to churn out perfect information and meet targets without hitches, like a production line.  And we often pay with our health which materializes through the body.  Its a tough gig.  Will your company understand and be sympathetic, even empathetic, because there is always someone standing behind us, awaiting their opportunity to step up and replace you.

The Stress Ball

The Stress Ball

But these days it’s not so unusual for larger company’s (at least) to provide some stress-reducing activities their employees can take advantage of.  Perhaps a lunch-time session of neck and shoulder massage, or a little midday relaxation through a pedicure to enliven the feet or such, so they are ready once more to tread the synthetic office carpet, kicking up all that static day in day out.

Others may suffer at a deeper level, taking their work-felt stress home with them, into the pub, maybe smoking too much, or getting angry at home or behind the wheel when driving, not spending enough quality time with loved ones, or just finding it hard to switch off and play.

The Good Stress

A bit of stress can be a good thing, the pressure that helps circulate an adrenalin rush bringing out the more creative side of you, this helps to circulate endorphins and serotonin and is the healthy side of stress.  The danger signs are when we find it difficult to switch off or recharge our batteries by having a chill-out with some good old Rest and Relaxation.

What To Do If You Feel Over-Stressed

Relaxation And Meditation

There are plenty of things to do to reclaim the calmer self.  Join a calming ‘exercise’ class, such as Yoga, Tai Chi or Pilates. These are less energetic aerobic forms of exercise that help on a number of levels, the idea is to reconnect with your inner self and spend some time for you.

This way you can notice when you are out of sorts before it gets too advanced and they work at the deepest level of the organs, blood circulation and breathing among other aspects.  You could increase the heartbeat through a number of anaerobic forms of exercise, like swimming, walking, cycling or you name it, you don’t have to join a gym.

If Not That – Try This

If you’re not able to find the recharge switch without one stimulant or another to coax the process then perhaps you’d like a session here at ABC Simple As to help you get back to a more connected and centred self, that part of you that loves being with family and friends, or the great passion you had for getting into your career in the first place.

Tell Me More …

If you’d like to learn more you’re welcome to an introductory chat – see how to kick-start the process – all sessions are private and confidential.

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