by Carla Vieira

Alternative therapies are built on the premise that for our mental and physical health we need to have a perfect balance between body, mind and spirit. If we give predominant value to only one of these factors, we are likely to bring our own energy balance out of tune. Socrates would say "a healthy mind lives in a healthy body". The Hindus would then add to this: "and a healthy mind and body are based on a spiritual life". Hence, we should take equal care of all our three spheres and pursue activities that are nurturing to all our make-ups.

While most of the people today get the chance to do lots of mind work in their jobs and invest in further education, there are fewer who take the time to practice sports and care for their physical needs and even fewer who regularly invest in a spiritual activity such as Yoga, Meditation or simply concentrative praying. Today's life is characterised by stress and constant pressure to keep on top at the work place as well as social duties and household chores, which amongst other things are the reasons for our lack of spare time.

In recent years there has been a tremendous reduction in people's spare time, which is closely related to the economic downturn and the resulting pressure on the job market. Hence today many men and women report stress symptoms associated to their workplace.  Some fear to loose their job or have to work overtime or invest their spare time in further education. A decade before, most of the stress was related to people's sentimental life; splitting up and divorce as well as children leaving the house were mainly reported as being sources of stress. It is likely that in the future, pressure due to the reconciliation of working and family life will further increase.

Most practitioners of alternative therapy have reported that clients suffering from various illnesses and associated symptoms have all one thing in common;  they ignored the early signals the body showed them to make them understand that the current stress levels would cause insurmountable damage to the body and mind and that a life-change was urgently called for.

It is likely that, prior to falling seriously ill, they ignored the body's request for rest and the mind's plea for relaxation. They kept on sailing against the wind until the sail broke and they needed serious repair. However, at that stage complementary therapies only have a marginal effect.  Often the symptoms are so severe that the person can not get by without consulting a doctor who will treat the problem with drugs.

In ancient times doctors in China were paid their fees if the people in the village did not fall sick.  In other words doctors were there to foresee the patient's health before serious illnesses and unwell-being could set in.

It is a good idea for alternative therapists to understand stress management techniques.  They can then advise their clients about the damage stress causes to their bodies and minds.  Therapists should be able to teach self-help techniques to combat stress.  A stress management plan should be developed with the client, where the practitioner helps the client to set priorities, delegate and make the life changes necessary to achieve a balanced life-style.

However, at this point it has to be mentioned that stress is difficult to define, since it means different things to different people. Some people might find it stressful to work overtime and do a difficult task, while others might feel stressed from not being challenged enough and bored and would actually welcome demanding tasks. However, most likely everyone is stressed by the following factors; financial problems, unemployment or mobbing (collective bullying)  at their workplace and threat of redundancy, marital and family problems including problems with children and parents as well as traumas experienced in childhood etc. Moreover, stress can also be caused by assuming the "role of the underdog" or because one lacks self-esteem and the assertiveness skills to get one's needs and wishes through and is thus always frustrated because one feels abused and misused.

Furthermore, one can distinguish between two different types of stress, stress that comes from within and stress that comes from outside. Stress from within is strongly associated to people's ingrained reaction patterns and personality structure. This has its roots in childhood and general family constitutions as well as personality type and ingrained views about the world based on experiences. These factors lead to counterproductive behaviour patterns, which are often hard to change and which create insurmountable barriers trapping one within the vicious cycle of stress.

External stress is mainly due to exogenous factors; these include unemployment, working overload, financial problems, problems with their social environment in general etc. Occurrences play some part in stress, however, the stress levels experienced vary according to the individual. Every event is potentially stressful but not invariably so. Stress is caused by both events within and outside of the individual and the definition therefore solely relies on the symptoms that are caused by these events - that is both mental and physical symptoms, which are ultimately designated under the label "stress".

Broadly speaking, stress is an overproduction of hormones such as adrenalin and others, which subsequently can not be expelled from the body soon enough.  This damages our physical and mental state of being. Our ancestors faced stress due to life threatening situations permanently, however, they "vented off" their stress through an immediate flight or fight response.  An accelerated heart rate and dilated blood vessels and bronchi feed the relevant muscles with oxygen-rich blood. Secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline maintains the effects of sympathetic stimulation, enabling the muscles to work harder for longer. All this to enable the body to save itself through extreme physical activity, fighting or fleeing. 

In order to combat stress the body need to be allowed to do what it has prepared itself to do.  Difficult when you are sitting at a desk in your office.  At the earliest opportunity you should go for a run or engage in other strenuous activity.  This is why engaging in an activity which "expels" the stress hormones from the body, such as sports, is a major anti-stress "treatment".

One definition of stress can be specified as: Stress is caused by events both within and outside of an individual which have a detrimental effect on his or her health. These symptoms can further be distinguished in to physical and mental symptoms.

Major physical symptoms of stress include:

* Muscle tension

* Palpitations

* Headaches

* Migraines

* Non-specific aches and pains

* Old injuries playing up

* Indigestion

* Breathing problems when under pressure

* Teeth grinding

* Pallor

* Nausea

* Heartburn

* Loss or change of appetite

* Diarrhoea

* Constipation

* Flatulence

* Stomach cramps

* Tremors and shaking

* Fainting or feeling faint

* Nervous ticks and twitches

* Foot tapping

* Hand wringing

* Nail biting

* General nervousness

* Insomnia and other sleep disorders

* Muscle spasms and cramps

* Neck pain

* Back pain

* Rheumatoid arthritis

* Eczema, either onset or worsening of condition

* Psoriasis, either onset or worsening of condition

* Increased sweating

* Cold fingers and toes

* Menstrual irregularity

* Weight loss

* Worsening of asthma

* Frequent colds and flu

* Frequent low level infections

* Itching

Major mental and emotional symptoms for stress include:

* Comfort eating and obesity

* Loss of appetite

* Anorexia (treatment of which should be referred to a specialist)

* Increase in alcohol dependence

* Increase in nicotine dependence

* Increase in caffeine consumption

* First time substance abuse

* Increase in substance abuse

* Marked increase in irritability

* Trouble making decisions

* Outbursts of suppressed anger

* Trouble concentrating

* Short term memory problems

* Loss of sense of humour

* Inability to have fun

* Paranoia

* Feeling loss of control

* Feeling unable to cope

* Feel like crying

* Feelings of isolation

* Changes in eating patterns

* Fear that something bad is about to happen contrary to evidence

* Loss of interest in hobbies

* Absenteeism

* Feeling constantly tired and run down

* Trouble sleeping

* Decreased sex drive

* Impotence

* Panic attack

* Can't stop thinking about problems

* Focusing on the negative

* Feeling pressurised against evidence to the contrary

* Being uncharacteristically rude or sarcastic

* Overly sensitive to criticism

* Hyper-vigilance

* Startle response

As can be seen the list of symptoms associated with stress is quite extensive. However, the worst of all is that if stress persists over the long term it will inevitably lead to a depression, which in many cases can have a long-lasting detrimental effect on a person's psychological and mental health. Moreover, research findings point to the fact that people exposed to stress over long periods of time get sensitised to it and will be hooked
up in a vicious cycle, perpetually displaying physical and mental inappropriate responses to stress, even if the trigger causing stress is rationally described as minor by the person. More than that, triggers causing stress will increase in number and the intensity of the response to stress triggers is likely to become stronger too.

Once sensitisations sets in it works like an allergy.  Take a pollen allergy as an analogy.  For some people the slightest bloom in spring is enough to immediately show the allergy symptoms. So it is of major importance to recognise stress symptoms early on and take immediate action by tailoring an appropriate anti-stress program.  This should include  include exercise and changes in nutrition and life-style. It is it important to find ways to change the person's perception of the problems he or she faces as well as induce changes in the person's behaviour pattern when it comes to dealing with problems and difficult situations in life.

One good thing about the "theory of stress" so far is that it can be managed if action is undertaken early on and the person is co-operative.  Then a wide range of changes in nutritional habits and life style, including practicing sports and having a creative hobby as well as the regular practising of relaxation techniques is of great help in managing stress.

Anti-stress Diet

Everything that enters our body through our mouth - food, pills, drink or cigarette smoke - can either add stress to our body or reduce stress. Stress robs the body of nutrients and damages the cardiovascular system. By adopting an anti-stress diet, we will notice an increase in stamina and an improvement in our physical and mental health. An anti-stress diet is a fundamental stress fighting tool.

Stress can actually make people fat due to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their system. Instead of absorbing the caffeine found in some teas, soft drinks, coffee and many appetite suppressants, your anti-stress diet should emphasise natural herbal teas, juice or plain water. Avoid drinking too much alcohol each day since this may dehydrate your body. At the same time, some studies have shown alcohol has medicinal properties in small amounts. Just make sure to drink a lot of water whenever consuming alcohol if you intend to stay on an anti-stress diet.

Avoid smoking cigarettes, which depletes antioxidants, to get the most out of the anti stress diet.  Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. A stress free diet is all about having a balanced diet that raises serotonin levels, the feel-good brain chemicals that "elevate our mood". Important nutrients in the anti-stress diet include zinc, which can be found in seafood such as oysters, whole wheat, nuts, seeds, eggs and lean meat.

If there is no sensitivity to dairy products, include cheese and yogurt in your anti-stress diet. When we are feeling stress, we may become deficient in magnesium. The anti-stress diet emphasises magnesium found in dark-green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, grapefruit, figs, sweet corn (maize), raisins, carrots, seeds and nuts. We should consume fruits and vegetables such as those high in vitamin C including citrus fruit, cabbage and broccoli, strawberries, blackberries and kiwi.  Experts suggest an anti-stress diet should include B vitamins, which are found in whole grains, yeast extract, yogurt, dates and liver. An anti-stress diet might also include brown rice, rye, oatmeal, quinoa and buckwheat. When selecting protein sources, one should choose the leaner cuts of meat.

Vegetarian products, such as those made from soy, may make a fine addition to an anti-stress diet. Fat is an important part of any diet but it's important to avoid saturated fats. The best fats for an anti-stress diet include sunflower or safflower oils, avocado,
extra virgin olive oil, cold pressed walnut, unsalted nuts and sesame
seeds.

It is important to consume between five and 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day in order to get enough fibre. It's best to avoid foods high in refined sugar while on an anti-stress diet. Herbal supplements that go with an anti-stress diet include Siberian ginseng, which supports adrenal gland functions when the body is challenged by stress. Chamomile, widely used for relaxation, may also be enjoyed as a tea.

Life-Style Changes

Now that we have outlined some of the nutritional requirements for successful stress management, lets look at the life-style changes necessary to manage stress levels. First of all one has to make oneself aware of the factors causing stress in our life.  Is it a lack of spare time because of working too much overtime?  Is it emotional problems with family, colleagues and friends?  Are we bored and not sufficiently challenged, therefore lacking the drive and enthusiasm in life? 

If our problem is a general lack of time, it is of utmost importance to take a closer look at the activities we undertake and analyse time management. Some activities might be sourced out or delegated.  For instance you can hire a cleaner to take care of some of the household chores. Once the time management component is sorted out, one should advise the client on a number of relaxation techniques that improve their physical and mental well-being. A list of such activities should always include some sports activity as well.

When a person is stressed there is an injection of adrenalin from the adrenal glands to give an instant boost of energy and mental clarity. Cortisol is released from the outer part of the adrenal glands to increase the availability of glucose to the muscles. Similarly, endorphins are released by the brain with pain-killing properties. These processes evolved to aid our ancestors in the fight for survival and they are still very useful to us now. They can be activated in times of stress or intense physical activity.

Unfortunately, if these secretions are not utilised by physical actions, the accumulated amount over a period of time can lead to toxicity and disease of the circulatory system. There are two types of physical exercises we distinguish: light physical exercises such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga, which also have a spiritual component and thus fit particularly well with the body, spirit and mind balancing theory.  The second type involves more strenuous physical exercises such as work outs, certain types of aerobics, jogging, swimming and fast cycling etc. The most popular and easiest to practice sports activities include: brisk walking, jogging, swimming and cycling. These are all activities you can do by yourself and for which you do not require instruction, nor do you have to commit to a specific schedule.

Further sports you might consider include: aerobics, ball games, surfing, etc., however, you have to pay close attention to the individual's own preferences. Furthermore, relaxation techniques also play an important part in reducing stress levels.

There are many different relaxation techniques you can use to reduce stress levels, these include the use of aromatic oils, massage, breathing and meditation techniques as well as visualisation techniques.

* Aromatherapy: If you use an aromatherapy oil for it's fragrance by diffusing  it, then the main benefit you get from it is due to the olfactory response.  Simply by inhalation, essential oils illicit an immediate olfactory response and they are readily absorbed into the bloodstream stimulating the production of relaxing hormones such as endorphin, serotonin etc. For instance it is said that Chamomile, Lavender and Neroli act on the "Raphe-Nucleus", which secrets the natural sedative hormone called Serotonin, while Bergamot, Frankincense and Rosewood are said to work on the Hypothalamus and secrete a variety of balancing neuro-chemicals and thereby regulates heart-beat, breathing etc.  Oils termed euphoric oils are clary-sage, Jasmine, Rose and Grapefruit.  They induce the brain to produce the pain-killing and euphorising hormone called encephalin. Aphrodisiac oils include Amber, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood and Jasmine. They act on the pituitary gland, which secrets the neuro-chemical endorphin, the pleasure giving hormone.

* Massage: Massage improves the circulation of body fluids, strengthens the immune system and brings stress hormone levels down. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you go to a massage session once a month and have your energy channels cleared and invigorated. Massage can include Reflexology which invigorates directly the associated organs, Acupressure or Shiatsu, which both work directly on the energy channels also called Meridians and Ayurvedic Massage which works on the whole body energy channels also called nadis and on the chakras and is a highly detoxifying treatment.  Sauna is also a good way to relax and detoxify the body.

* Creative Activities are a good way to distract your mind and "delve" into an activity that lets you forget the hassle of everyday life. Painting, photography or even DIY work is often experienced as a "meditative" activity as people tend to get completely absorbed in the activity and truly enjoy being creative.

* Listening to Gentle Music plays an important part in relaxation as research has proven that Classical, New Age and other styles of relaxation music induce the brain to produce endorphins and other "happy-making" hormones, thus relaxation music being a good anti-stress therapy activity.

* Relaxation exercises are great self-help techniques suitable for alleviating accumulated stress in the body and the muscles. They involve progressively and gently contracting and relaxing the major muscle groups which store tension. Many people remain tense because they do not know how to go about releasing tension from the muscles. You should breathe slowly and deeply when performing these exercises and make sure that your hands and feet stay warm. Again here you assume the Nidra yoga posture, which involves you lying on the floor with your back straight and legs and arms apart with the palms facing the sky / ceiling. When ready, you should take a few long slow deep breaths while closing your eyes as you do so.  Let your mind go blank. Then when ready, gently, very gently, tense every muscle. You should hold this for about two seconds only, then release. Then relax for a moment and then this time, gently, again very gently, stretch every part of your body, then release and rest again for a few moments. 

You can either repeat this part of the exercise again if you wish, or you can decide to move on to the next part. When ready, starting with your head and working your way down, you should think of all of the muscle groups and other body parts which can store tension.  As you think of each part, tense and then simply let go of the tension allowing each part to relax. You should start with the top of your head, the scalp, and you think of your scalp, tense it then simply relax and let go of the tension. Repeat this for the following areas in turn: the
forehead, jaw muscles, next the shoulders, the arms, hands and fingers, large and small muscles of the back, the chest muscles, hips, thighs, calves, ankles, feet and toes.

Once completed, stay in position for between ten to fifteen minutes, perhaps listening to a favourite piece of relaxing music. Avoid jumping straight back up again as this will counteract the benefits of the exercise and prevent the relaxation response from becoming more established. By doing this other similar exercises you will, in effect, teach your body a new habit, the relaxation habit. This method will take some time to master, but it is one of the most effective for preventing the build-up of muscular tension.

* Meditation: The regular practice of meditation has been shown to reduce physiological arousal.  It calms the mind and nervous system and lowers the heart rate. The rhythm of the breath slows down considerably which is an important element in the revealing of insights into the psychological and emotional conditioning. Due to the slowing down of these functions, our ability to cope with pressure increases, as our internal environment becomes more spacious. Most illness and disease is compacted by anxiety and the which is fear built around it. Meditation can help recovery from these traumas by developing a more relaxed relationship with ourselves. Meditation nourishes our spiritual beliefs, provoking experiences and insights into the deeper meaning of being alive in a human form. It enhances sensitivity, alertness, composition, mental clarity, a feeling of 'centredness' and unity with all beings. It is good to practice meditation in the early mornings or in the evenings, when we can best find the inner peace to calm down and concentrate.

There are many forms of meditation and many ways to practice.  One method involves assuming the lotus position as taught in yoga.  Just sit on the floor with crossed legs, feet under the apposite knees and straight spine, while you extend your arms and have them resting on your knees. You can also form your fingers to a mudra by joining the middle finger and the thumb. Another popular option is to assume the Nidra yoga posture, that is you can lie on the floor, with your spine straight and your legs and arms apart.  These are just two examples. Whichever position you choose you should begin by closing your eyes and concentrating on your breath. Just gently focus your attention on breathing in and out. Don't try to force anything, just be aware of your breathing.  If your attention wanders, just gently bring it back to your breathing.

Once you have mastered this stage you may like to introduce a mantra.  In the beginning its a good idea to empty  your head of words by using a simple mantra like om / aum.  If you get this just right the vibration of the sound will clear your mind and life your consciousness.   Another method is to visualise a picture such as for instance a Buddhist mandala or other religious / spiritual symbol.  When using ancient symbols it is essential to find out what they mean first.   Another idea is to simply meditate on your senses, that is consciously focusing on each individual sense in turn.  For instance you can concentrate on smelling first, since this is closely related to the breathing exercise, then go on concentrating on the pictures that appear in front of your "inner eye" etc. Practice 15 minutes to 1 hour in a quiet space. (indoors or out), where you will not be disturbed.

* Creative Visualisation Techniques: Our subconscious minds have a very strong impact on how we act, think and also on our physical comfort levels, notably on stress. It is scientifically proven that, if you train yourself mentally to be healthy by using such techniques as autosuggestion or hypnosis, you will eventually grow into the habits and life-style necessary to have a relaxed, healthy and happy life. Without having to compromise on your personal attainments, your job quality or career and your performance in general, you will lead a more peaceful life.

Our subconscious minds communicate in pictures and it is therefore particularly conducive to visualise the thing or situation you wish to bring into your life. It is of utmost importance that you create a sharp and detailed picture of the event or occurrence you would like itself to produce. So if you want have a good work-life balance, stay fit, healthy and have a fulfilling and happy life including a good career and enjoyable interpersonal relationships, you should imagine yourself in such a position and say an affirmative and positive sentence that goes with it.

The above techniques are all of great help when dealing with work and achievement related stress but when it comes to deep-seated emotional stress other techniques are available to more effectively do away with these symptoms.  Traumas and other emotional problems such as lack of self esteem cause high stress levels. Moreover, these experience are the root of inadequate behaviour patterns, which perpetuate themselves and lead to further emotionally negative experiences and so "fuel the vicious cycle of stress". In this case we need to apply techniques that vent off anger, sadness, frustration and the general ability to cope with life's problems
and be assertive when necessary.  In particular there are two techniques which are especially suitable for dealing effectively with emotional problems and change behaviour patterns.  One is Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and the other is called Emotional Freedom Technique, a part of Meridian Psychotherapy, which is very helpful for getting bad emotions and their associated thoughts out of our energy system by treating energy points located in the corresponding energy channels to remove energy blockages.

* Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) was first developed in the U.S.A. in the early 70's from studying the thinking and behavioural skills used by particularly effective and successful people. NLP grew out of the behavioural modelling activity of Grinder and Bandler who studied Virginia Satir, Fritz Perls, and Milton H. Erickson. They devised several different short-term therapy techniques to be used in coaching and which have proven to be very successful.

One of these techniques is called Reframing. Here the first thing you do is concentrate on the precise problem and the associated feeling you want to change. It might be helpful to first write down all the triggers that are responsible for this problem to manifest itself and the feelings associated to make sure you have got to the core of the problem and are not simply focusing on side effects / symptoms. Once you have identified the problem you close your eyes and mentally go back in time wondering through your life until you remember the first time you have experienced this problem and the associated emotions. Then you visualise this scene very strongly concentrating on your emotions while anchoring this scene by pressing a spot between thumb and indicator.

Following this you let go of this inner picture and concentrate on an occurrence or event in your life that was similar to the one which is currently stressing you and where you had what you experienced an adequate reaction and felt self empowered and sure of your success and had a high self-esteem. If you do not remember any occurrence where you had positive feelings and a high self-esteem you can imagine how you would have ideally wanted to behave, react and feel and be perceived by others. Once you have either identified such a personal resource (this is the term used in NLP to refer to a past behaviour you already have which you can now apply to another situation, or you have made up) concentrate strongly on this picture focusing on the associated emotions.

Now go back to the first scene you have anchored on the spot between thumb and indicator. By pressing this spot the scene should come up again.  Next you mentally stick the new scene over the old scene covering all the parts of the picture.  That is number 2 experience - better your identified resource - is now used to change the former feelings and behaviour patterns by acting as a "substitute reaction" in the future. Before your inner eye you should take the feelings associated with your resource and substitute the old ones with the
new ones by creating a visual overlap between scene 1 and scene 2.  Once you can visualise this, you once more press on the spot between thumb and indicator to anchor this new behaviour.

Now every time you encounter a situation that is similar to the one you have just changed your behaviour pattern for, that is the stress situation previously identified,  you simply press on the anchoring spot which automatically set of the trigger, to feel the new emotions and act accordingly to the newly programmed behaviour pattern.

Another good NLP technique is called Time Line.  Here you identify a problem and its associated emotions and once more go through the first procedure as explained above. You go back in time and try to remember all the bad experiences and occurrences where this problem and the associated feelings emerged. By focusing strongly on each individual scene you let these feelings come up again, then you anchor them on the left hand, on a spot wherever you wish to.

Next you imagine all the good and positive moments and emotions you have experienced in life and you try to focus completely on your inner resources you have accumulated in the past and which gave you so much strength, self-confidence and comfort. Then again you anchor these moments on your right hand on the spot you choose. Now strongly focus on scene number one but then focus even stronger on scene number 2 and feel the emotions you had in scene number two.

Now try to overlay picture number one with picture number two and anchor all your positive emotions strongly on your left hand. After completing this, go forward in time and imagine how you will use these resources and good emotions in the future when you encounter difficulties and emotional turmoil. Once you have identified a couple of potential situations in the future which might occur and would have annoyed you before and you now feel confident that you have indeed been able to alter your behaviour and emotional patterns, you can finish off the exercise by taking a deep breath and resting for some moments.

* Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) was developed using the insights of David Craig, which focus on getting negative emotions out of our energy system by tapping a set sequence of points along our meridian channels. Firstly you identify a problem and again make sure you have identified the real problem and are not only focusing on a symptom of the real problem. Then you formulate an opening statement which goes something like this: "Although I (state the problem) I fully and completely love and respect myself".  For someone with fear of dogs this would be: "Although I fear being bitten by a dog I fully and completely respect myself."

Once you have stated the problem you should assess the Stress Unit Definition (SUD) levels you have experienced when you thought about the problem.  You should rank your SUD on a scale of 1-10 and associate your own subjective stress level unit to it. Then you should stimulate your thyme by pressing the sore spots as shown on this picture to increase your energy levels and for brain integration and a free communication channel between brain and meridian system. (for a more detailed explanation please refer to the Bibliography section at the bottom of this article).

Once you have done all this you are ready to undertake the tapping sequence.  Start with the opening statement and then tap the appropriate sequence of the points. (for a more detailed explanation please refer to the Bibliography section at the bottom of this article).  By doing this the problem will be treated along all meridians except the liver meridian which has been left untouched.  While you say the opening statement tap on all the meridian points according to their sequence, tapping each meridian point 3 times and repeating the opening statement to reinforce the treatment if you with to. The points are tapped or "percussed", using the first two fingers of each hand, by the client, not the therapist. 

Once you have finished the sequence you assign your own stress unit level to it again and see if you would rate your stress levels much lower if you think of your problem again. If you don't, repeat the sequence until the stress levels have been considerably improved.

Conclusion

As can be seen, stress has many different causes and is mostly due to an imbalance of working and personal life and due to emotional problems and traumas experienced in childhood, which subsequently lead to ineffective  and counterproductive behaviour patterns leading to a rise in stress levels. For most people it will be quite hard to make adequate changes to their life-style and take up nutritional and relaxation techniques to reduce stress levels and improve their work-life balance. Notably so, because people who tend to be stressed are also very ambitious and they fear that spending more time enjoying life will lead to their competitors catching up on them and will put them at a loss in their professional career.

For such people, stress can actually induce a self-sabotage system in the body.  The subconscious mind can block achievement of optimum performance levels by purposely putting up barriers until the person takes the hint and rectifies the situation.  This is why we should all learn to listen to our little voice within.

These barriers are commonly called stress symptoms. In other words, spending more time relaxing makes you a more attractive working colleague, friend and partner and improves your career chances . Moreover, relaxation is the primary source of innovation and creativity and relaxed people have proved to be better performers at work and make better progress in their careers than do stressed people.

Bibliography