Stress

Stress is a common feature of the fast-paced and ever changing circumstances in which most of us now live. It may become such a common feature of our lives that we fail to recognise it and the price that we pay emotionally, socially, physically and in terms of loss of the higher quality life experiences, including the aesthetic and spiritual.

As stress is not always obvious here are some of the warning signals

• Persistent feelings of dissatisfaction with marriage or family life and difficulty in acknowledging and discussing those feelings with others.
• Repeatedly talking to yourself in a resentful or critical way.
• Unexplained fatigue, sleeplessness, loss of sexual interest or irregular appetite.
• Feelings of loneliness, moodiness or depression, and of failure or anxiety.
• A dependence on alcohol, tranquillisers, cigarettes, coffee or sleeping aids.
• Irritability occasionally developing into unmanageable anger, hostility or violence.
• Difficulties in setting or reaching goals, financial difficulties.
• Frequent job changes or problems with colleagues.
• Headaches or stomach ulcers, skin disorders, coronary or respiratory problems
• Tending towards social isolation within family, workplace or social and recreational settings

As with all personal problems the first step towards resolving them is to acknowledge their existence and to take constructive action. Seeking professional assistance is generally a constructive and successful next step.