You hear a lot about stress today, but what is it really, and what can you do about it?

Stress is the body’s natural response to the ever-changing environment and situations that you experience. Some people thrive on stress while others find that it interferes with their ability to concentrate on tasks.

So how does stress come about? Stress happens when your regular coping skills and resources are not enough to deal with the pressures from challenging situations. Stress can happen because of an incident while driving to work (often called “Road Rage”), a co-worker’s nasty comment, an unrealistic workload, or an argument with a family member. Stress can also happen because of pressures you put on yourself, such as goals that are too hard for you to meet.

Know that stress is all around you and impossible to avoid, but life without it would be dull and boring! Stress not only challenges you everyday, everywhere, but it adds flavor and opportunity to your life.

What can you do about high stress?
Make the stressors in your life work for you, instead of against you. Set time aside daily for you to recharge your energy and strengthen coping skills you already have. By dealing with stress, you can live a healthy life at work and home. Remember, stress does not go away, but using stress busters can lower stress to manageable levels.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE...

(Answer True or False)

1. Nearly 50% of Canadian adults over 30 are frequently stressed.

2. Prioritizing tasks will NOT help you cope with stress.

3. It’s OK to have some stress in our life.

4. Stress can lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking, overeating and inactivity.

5. It’s a good idea to get professional help if stress becomes too great.

6. Stress management programs usually include ways to eat healthy, sleep better and get physically active.

7. Yoga, meditation, reading a book or watching a movie can help reduce stress.

8. Consuming alcohol is a good way to help manage stress.

9. Workplace stress is the most common source of stress.

10. Employers can help workers deal with stress by providing programs on financial planning and conflict resolution.