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Tips of the year

Keeping calm throughout the year

Stress is simply a part of modern living. Whether we care or not depends on our own reaction to the stress. During our everyday problem/dangers we are outfitted with the 'fight or flight response'. This charges the body for immediate action and the body produces more adrenaline, which speeds up the heart and the nervous system and increases the blood pressure. It also releases glucose into the blood to provide the extra energy needed for urgent action. Stress is nothing but just the effect of this response. It can be triggered by anything we are worried about at work or in our private lives.

There are as many symptoms of stress as there are causes for it. Loss of appetite, compulsive eating, indigestion, irritability, rushing from one task to another without completing the first are just few examples.

Almost anything can cause stress too much work, too little work, unemployment, having a demanding job, divorce, even being stuck in a traffic jam! The best way to reduce any stress caused by change is to try and adapt to the situation rather than fight against it.

A simple formula may summarize the situation

S=M (D-C) where S stands for stress, M for motivation, large gap between demand (D) and coping (C) in presence of high motivation to do the work is very stressful.

Tips for keeping calm

*Treat yourself to half an hour of total peace and quiet each day.

*Take the phone off the hook; soak in a hot bath or simply curl up with a good book.

*If you feel yourself getting wound up, step outside and go for a brisk ten-minute walk.

*Live in the present don't worry too much about the past, it has already been and gone.

Tomorrow: Around the world and other tips.