Stress is part of life, and some stress is key for survival. However, too much stress is harmful to your health.
In this fast-paced society, it is considered normal for people to work long hours and have little rest. An article published by Today online dated, 26 March 2019, reported that nearly 92 per cent of Singaporeans surveyed were stressed from work. The number is reportedly higher than the global average of 84 per cent. Of this group, 13 per cent said that the stress they faced was unmanageable.
The pursuit of rat race and the societal expectation may mean one need to work long hours to keep the job and maintain a decent standard of living. However, it is important to note that prolonged sleep deprivation weakens the immune system, which leads to physical illness, such as high blood pressure, fatigue, and even heart disease. If this happen, your job will be in jeopardy.
If you are feeling stress, you may like to try these stress management techniques to try to cope with your situation:
· Make a break from the stressor. These may seem difficult for some people.
· Exercise, at least 3 times a week, even if it just 30 minutes
· Smile and laugh. Laughter is one of the best medicine.
· Get social support. Nothing beats being with supportive people
· Meditate. Learn some mindfulness technique.
However, if you find that the stress has developed into anxiety to the point and it is affecting your appetite and sleep, please seek help from a professional counsellor. The counsellor will help you to identify the source of your stress, process the key issues and explore measures to help you improve your well-being.
Please act before the stress turns into anxiety and destroy your life.