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Supplements - Operators Handbook on Driver Health

The modern day corporate environment in which we operate is a perfect platform for exposure to stress, a term we often use flippantly to describe our average working day, without considering the consequences of this condition on our mental and physical health.

Stress forms part of our everyday existence - you start your day in a traffic jam that puts you behind schedule, your cellphone loses signal at a crucial moment in your sales pitch, the latest computer virus destroys all the info on your PC and to top it all, your personal assistant calls in sick due to a migraine headache - a result of yesterday's stress!

Not all stress is bad

Positive stress acts as a motivator, challenging you to solve problems in creative and resourceful ways. Negative stress on the other hand sets in when you feel overwhelmed by the changes or demands you have to face.

Physical reactions to stress

  • Breathing rate increases
  • Blood pressure goes up
  • Heart rate increases to supply blood to the muscles and brain
  • Perspiration and tension

Unless you can regularly release the tension that comes with stress, a physical state of constant stress sets in, leading to various health problems both mental and physical.

Learn to recognise the symptoms of stress

  • Tension headaches, stiff neck
  • Sweaty palms
  • Upset stomach
  • Lack of concentration
  • Irritability and intolerance
  • Constant feeling of exhaustion

Once you are able to recognise stress, you are able to manage the situation by :

  • Exercising regularly - a natural way to relieve stress. A quick game of squash or even a brisk walk will lower your stress level, making it easier to manage.

  • Taking up a hobby, not something related to your working environment. Setting some time aside to build a model aircraft for instance, allows you to step away from the burning issues of the day and fills you with a sense of achievement upon completion.

  • Learning to control your stress level without having to rely on alcohol, tobacco or drugs.

  • Don't ignor the emotional turmoil stress can create. Talk to others about how you feel. It not only relieves stress but often puts matters in a more rational perspective once spoken out loud.

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