Is Stress Getting You Down?

Stress at work is a major problem in the UK today. Well over half of British people report having experienced stress at work in the last twelve months.

Yet staggeringly only 20%, of those experiencing problems due to work related stress actually seek professional help – despite all the ill effects on our physical and mental health.

This is one of the key findings of the International Stress Management Association, who held their annual National Stress Awareness Day on Wednesday, November 1.

NEW CAMPAIGN

The aim of the ISMA is to raise awareness about one of society’s biggest causes of ill health, and to launch their new campaign, which this year focuses on adopting a more positive and proactive approach to stress management.

New research commissioned by ISMA has confirmed that stress continues to cause serious problems for both employers and workers in the UK and the trend is set to rise.

The most common cause of stress is too much work. Other significant reasons are; deadline pressures, an unsupportive work environment and problems with maintaining a healthy work – life balance.

FINDINGS

Stress can have a major impact on all areas of life. The research shows that it can be damaging to a person’s health, job satisfaction, social life and relationships with partners and children.

Their findings conclude that:

• 53% of people have experienced stress at work in the last 12 months.
• 57% believe their stress levels have increased over the last 12 months
• 72% get stressed from too much work
• only 20% of people experiencing stress have sought medical or professional help to deal with their issues.

LIFE-CHANGING

And yet, adopting a more proactive approach to stress management can be life-changing.

There are many ways in which an individual can take control of their lives and lessen or even eliminate the damaging impact of stress - but many would benefit from professional support to construct and maintain an effective stress management plan.

Hypnotherapy has been proven to significantly reduce the effects of stress. The deep relaxation experienced in Hypnosis has a profoundly beneficial effect on both the mind and body.

A therapist would also encourage a client to learn to manage their own stress outside of therapy, by showing them simple but highly effective relaxation techniques.