Dealing with the effects of work-related stress

Among the diseases or symptoms most frequently associated with stress are peptic ulcers, coronary heart disease (CHD), high blood pressure, backaches, and breathing disabilities. Many who have not experienced these severe symptoms have had milder ones, such as tension, cold hands, colds, headaches, tight muscles, and irritability, or feelings of disorganization, apathy, boredom, dissatisfaction, and even moderate levels of hostility. Although unpleasant, many people accept these as the cost of doing business or simply living. This need not be the case. If the mild symptoms are managed, more severe ones like CHD and ulcers may be avoided altogether. However severe or mild the symptoms, the important question is: "How can the symptoms be managed and even eliminated?" The answer is to become aware of stress and to engage in stress management strategies. These strategies are addressed here in some detail.