Stress Reduction is Today's Most Important Medicine!

The effects of stress are well documented in many thousands of medical studies that span over centuries. While occasional bouts of stress are not likely to have lasting adverse health effects, regular or constant stress can lead to the development of chronic medical conditions.

The causes of stress vary depending on our individual life circumstances.  Likewise, the potential effects of stress are very broad, and in fact, have been directly linked to the top causes of death in 

Stress management is important in optimizing work or sport performance, preventing injury and disease, and improving our overall quality of life. 

Stress Statistics

• Research has shown that stress can cause the development of chronic conditions in a few years

• Over one-quarter of men (28%) who report high job stress in 1994/95 continued to experience it six years later. Persistent job strain was even more common for women (42%).

• Men in highstress jobs were 2.5 times more likely than their counterparts in lowstress jobs to experience depression; women were 1.6 times more likely.

• Stress as a reason for absence has increased 316 % since 1995. The direct cost of absenteeism totals $4.5 billion each year.

• The total cost of work time lost to stress in Canada is $12 billion.

• Women seniors who report higher levels of psychological stress appear to be more likely to die sooner.

• Nearly a quarter (23%) of Canadians report a high degree of life stress.

                                                                                                                   (Statistics Canada)

• Mental health claims are the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada.

         (Manulife Financial Group)

• Job stress is estimated to cost American Industry $300 billion a year, more than the net profits of all the Fortune 500 companies combined and ten times the costs for all strikes.

• 60-80% of on-the-job accidents are stress-related

• 75-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints or conditions

• Health Care expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high stress level.

     (American Institute of Stress)

• 80% of workers feel stress on-the-job
• Nearly half say they need some help in learning how to manage stres
• (Gallop Poll, 2001)

Employees under sustained stress are more likely to suffer:

              3 X more heart problems and back problems

              5 X more of certain cancers

              2-3 X more conflicts, mental health problems, infections, and injuries

              2 X more substance abuse

                                                                                                                       (Health Canada)

Identifying Stress

Stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. Common stress reactions include tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a variety of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms.

It is impossible to live without some stress.  Even if it was, it wouldn't be particularly desirable.  Challenges, goals, and experiences that are stressful make life interesting and propel us toward achievement and success in all aspects of our lives.  According to many studies, optimal performance actually requires stress.

In fact, the benefits of dwelling in a sustained "stress-on" state can be addictive for some people, because they feel energetic, productive, and mentally sharp.  Early on, our bodies' mobilization of energy and resources are actually designed to help us endure difficult situations.  The problems arise in traumatic "overload" situations, or when we adapt to the stress, lose our awareness, and deplete our reserves.

Identifying overt stressors can be easy for anyone, but most of us are acutely unaware of the subtle or hidden stressors that affect us every day and reduce our resiliency.  The burden of the "unseen," or disregarded, can cause or complicate matters immensely.

New technologies, such as EPR biofeedback, can help identify the earliest signs of distress.

Managing stress involves learning about:

• How stress affects the body, mind, and behaviors 

• How to identify the warning signs of stress

• How to develop good stress management techniques

• When to seek professional help

If you, or someone you know, is feeling too much stress and would like to learn more, please  contact us for information about professional services, individual coaching, or group seminars.

Stress Levels Up in Canada

"They're stressed, anxious, worried about their jobs.  They're losing sleep, and they're losing confidence in the economy."

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