Stress tends to draw closer to you the moment you begin your corporate life. It’s also a bedfellow to those who consistently follow a set pattern, no matter the activity at stake. It loosely refers to that emotional or psychological strain or suspense, and it’s almost always as a result of a continuous adherence to a similar pattern, especially in a situation where energy is continuously sapped.
This is usually prevalent in a scenario where there seems to be no break in activity; and the body, recognizing the incessant stream of mental, physical or emotional activity, “decides” it’s had enough. In small doses, stress helps to stay focused, energetic and alert. It tends to endanger one’s health, mind, and productivity and focus when it gets to the extreme.
Causes of stress are numerous. They include, but are not limited to bereavement, family problems, financial matters, illness, relationship or divorce, parenthood, conflict in the workplace, (Un) employment issues, pregnancy, retirement or uncertainty, overcrowding, pollution and noisy neighbours.
And the panaceas are abundant; Exercise, assertiveness, division of labor, abstinence from alcohol, drugs and caffeine, good nutrition, talking, controlled breathing, enough relaxation, and seeking professional help.
Stress, when left unattended poses a myriad of problems. On the body, it could induce sweating, back pain, chest pain, cramps or muscle spasms, erectile dysfunction, fainting spells, headaches, heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, loss of libido, muscular aches, nail biting, nervous twitches, insomnia, stomach upsets and fatigue.
In our thoughts, it could take the form of anger or anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, irritability, sadness and restlessness. With our behavior, it could range from over or under eating, food cravings, angry outbursts, drug and alcohol abuse, frequent crying, social withdrawals and relationship problems.
Stress is a killer when we allow it to eat deep into us, but it could be channeled into a fulfilling direction if it is well managed. Stress management requires no academic tuition. It all rests on knowing exactly when to pull the breaks, and get that needed fresh air.It’s part of your corporate life. Learning how to turn it to your advantage would definitely leave you healthier, so that you can prove your worth wherever you find yourself.