Knowing the difference between pressure and stress

Ann McCracken, vice-chairman of the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) said that people needed to recognise that while "pressure" at work could be a good thing - and was even necessary for some - "stress" was never good.

She told us that whenever stress was being considered, people needed to think in terms of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) definition - "an adverse reaction to too much pressure or other type of demand".

"By definition an adverse reaction is not good," she said. "It may seem like semantics, but to tell yourself that you are regularly stressed is not a good message – awareness of how pressure is getting the best out of you is another, quite different message.

"A bad trip to work is not stressful, but a bad trip to work every day is a build up of pressure which can upset some people."

'Too much' pressure

Ann added: "Stress is one of those words that everyone uses, but it seems to mean something different every time it is used. People describe themselves as 'stressed' when they often mean 'busy' or 'very busy'.

"Life is full of challenges and pressures, but that is life. We need challenges and pressures to motivate and stimulate us. Interestingly some people really thrive on pressure and feel low and below par (stressed) if they are not being pushed or pushing themselves."

She explained that it was only when increasing pressures in or out of work reached the point where people were unable to cope, or were actually being made ill, that they could genuinely be regarded as "stressed".

The key to effectively managing workplace stress was therefore to recognise this shift, both in ourselves and in our work colleagues. This meant adopting strategies to cope better with everyday pressures, and to avoid situations where pressure was getting too much to bear.

Awareness day

Ann's comments were made to mark National Stress Awareness Day 2007, which this year has been encouraging people to give away a smile, send an "e-smile" or do something positive about pressure in the workplace.

A special website has been launched - link above/right - which includes a "top-ten stress busters" section, a stress-busters game, information on how to send an e-smile and even a chance to win a spa day for two!

According to ISMA, simple ways to manage stress included exercising (both body and mind), putting situations into perspective and valuing your time more - which often meant deciding what was "really important" and being strong enough to make changes to reflect this.

For further information on managing stress, see the ISMA website - link above/right.