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Nobody
doubts the existence of a range of stress-related
illnesses. Some disorders such as anxiety, insomnia
and reactive depression can be closely associated
with stressful life circumstances, for instance
after bereavement or redundancy. Other disorders
such as tension headache, migraine, asthma;
irritable bowel syndrome and eczema (to name
only a few) are known to be worsened by stress.
Much NHS time and resource is spent attempting
to alleviate the effects of stress.
Where
does our stress come from?
A
lot of stress seems to be rooted in our own
behaviour - the way we treat one another, and
how we treat ourselves. Relationships with partners,
family, neighbours, or work colleagues can cause
enormous stress. A minor lack of thought may
cause large amounts of stress for others.
How
can we avoid stressing others?
Good
quality communication is probably the key to
good relationships with others. Old-fashioned
politeness, courtesy, consideration and respect
should be encouraged among us all. Expressions
of appreciation ought to balance those times
when we have true cause to complain.
We
also pressurise ourselves - many of us are working
far harder than is good for us! For all of us
some stress is unavoidable, but sometimes discontentment
with what we have can make us push ourselves
ever harder to get what we want…in some ways,
the vigorous pursuit of material happiness can
lead to misery!
For
short periods of time we may get away with it,
but prolonged excessive stress can lead ultimately
to "burnout". Burnout is a state of "emotional
exhaustion" with difficulty sleeping, tiredness,
irritability, depression, poor work performance,
accident-proneness, with physical symptoms such
as backache, indigestion, headache, hyperventilation
and frequent or lingering colds. High alcohol
or caffeine consumption often completes the
picture
How
can we avoid pressurising ourselves?
While
there is no simple answer, there are ways to
prevent burnout. A balanced life seems to be
the key. Experts recommend reducing alcohol
and caffeine consumption, regular exercise (you
know it's good for you) and a daily relaxation
technique. For example, research has shown that
Transcendental Meditation for 20 minutes twice
a day has a marked beneficial effect on health
(it can lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels
and heart rate: hospital admissions and life
threatening illnesses are also less likely among
meditators).
Other
techniques of achieving deep relaxation such
as yoga may be equally effective. We should
all aim to have our own method of relaxing.
Living
life is an art, and it can take a lifetime to
learn!
Contentment,
rather than "happiness" is perhaps the most
sensible goal in life.
Contentment
can transform dissatisfaction into satisfaction
and ultimate happiness.
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