07/11/2008
Don't let the crunch stress you out.
We all feel stressed at various times in our lives. In fact “being stressed out” seems to be a constant theme in modern life. However stress in itself is not harmful, we all need challenges and goals. However, stress can become a problem when our lifestyles create expectations that we cannot 
meet.
Perhaps the simplest and the best definition of stress comes from the psychiatrist Professor Anthony Clare. He describes stress as "what we experience when there is a significant lack of balance between the resources we possess and the demands made on us".
As the current economic climate begins to bite a new study reveals that the three greatest sources of daily stress are work (55%) bills (40%) and lack of time (40%)
The survey called out on behalf of Bach’s Rescue Remedy found that in general, more than half of us believe that daily life is stressful.
The research also shows that work was a greater source of stress for men (59%) than women (51%) while lack of time was a greater issue for more women (45%) than for men (35%)
Another study, this time for finance giant Friends Provident, found that the economic downturn is forcing many people to work longer hours or even take a second job, leading to higher stress levels.
Mark Jones of Friends Provident says “Our research shows the credit crunch is having serious implications on the workforce. People are worrying more and more. There are tense times and working longer –often with little or no financial reward – will add to people’s stress levels”
Some of the common signs of too much stress are;
Increased Irritability
Poor sleep patterns
Drinking and smoking more
Poor concentration
Depression
Headaches
Loss of libido
Situations that can lead to stress at work;
Poor relationship with co workers
Unsupportive managers
Poor consultation and communication
Unrealistic deadlines
Feeling undervalued
Insecurity
So how do you deal with stress?
Well, according to the research carried on by rescue remedy the methods of dealing with daily stress differed between the sexes and between age groups;
Women: 51% talked to family/friends, 52% watched TV, and 46% went for a walk
Men: 51% watched TV, 46% listened to music, and 43% surfed the internet
18-24 year olds: 58% watched TV, 52% listened to music, and 49% surfed the internet
35-44 year olds: 45% went for a walk, watched TV or had a cup of tea
Therese Ryan is an independent stress management consultant and is the Irish representative of the International Stress Management Association. She is also the director of Renewal Consultants.
She says the gender difference is interesting. “Women deal with stress by talking with family and friends and, in total contrast, men do not talk at all about it but rather seek distraction from it – such as TV and surfing the ‘net’.
She goes on “it highlights that social skills are under threat and may be becoming a thing of the past, particularly with young people. Again, like men, younger people don’t talk about stress. They deal with it by going on line or by listening to music or watching TV. They focus on objects – the lap top, the iPod - to feel secure. There is a worrying dependence on technology to be oneself. There is, it seems, an incapability to be alone with oneself.”
“Taking a break is good but you must eventually deal with your stress. Women are allowed to need support but this is not the case for men. For men, admitting to being stressed out may be seen as a sign of weakness. Irish men, and their health, are at high risk due to daily stress” She comments.
To stay healthy, mentally, emotionally and physically, we must first acknowledge stress and then learn how to deal with.
It is crucial, believes Therese, to develop ways of managing stress. “Stress is a fact of daily life and you will suffer if you don’t have positive coping mechanisms. We know that if men do get support that they benefit dramatically and given that work is a major source of stress, companies have a major responsibility to provide supports. It is in their own interests – over-stressed employees under perform and threaten profits.”
Some ways to cope with stress;
Set realistic goals for yourself
Learn to recognise the signs of stress
Use relaxation techniques
Talk to someone
Accept offer of helps
Tackling work related stress;
Discuss your problems with your supervisor
If issues persist talk to your HR department
Try to work regular hours
Be aware of company policies on stress related illnesses.
General advice on coping with daily stress is simple, according to Therese. “An active lifestyle, no matter what age you are, is key. You must make exercise, for example a 35 - minute brisk daily walk, an essential part of your day – not an extra if you get time. Diet is of course vitally important and you cannot go wrong with the fresh vegetables and fruit, olive oil Mediterranean style diet – its benefits are well proven.”
A particular area that can stress can have a dramatic impact on is sleep. The survey revealed that women in particular have trouble sleeping when they are stressed. 72% of women and 59% of men admitted to their minds racing at night when they are under pressure.
“Proper rest and relaxation are vital. I thought it extraordinary that almost three quarters of women and most men could not sleep at night because their minds were racing. And of course, this sleep epidemic has huge implications for the work place. Tired, fatigued employees cannot concentrate and underperform” says Theresa.
“I think this Rescue National Stress Survey and findings highlight the need for employers to develop new work-life balance policies and initiatives and provide proper stress management education and this would particularly assist men. Let’s not forget that for most of us, we spend more time at work than at home.
-ends-
Marie Reilly