managing pressure

For many people, being part of the business world comes at a substantial personal cost: stress. “It’s a high stress job,” people often say, as if this testifies to the position’s prestige. For people whose ability to cope is at crisis point, however, stress is no longer a matter of bravado. For them, stress is a serious problem that can have far-reaching consequences. To avoid reaching this point, stress must be managed.

Know the Symptoms of Stress

It is important to be able to distinguish between pressure and stress. Pressure is motivating, stimulating, and energizing. But when pressure exceeds our ability to cope, stress is produced. Sustained high levels of stress can, at worst, result in illness, depression, or even nervous breakdown. However, there are a number of warning signs that can help you determine when your level of stress is bordering on dangerous.
Take a good look at your well-being. If you experience some of the following behavioral and physical symptoms on a frequent or near-constant basis, it can indicate that you have crossed the line between healthy pressure and harmful stress.

Behavioral symptoms

Constant irritability with people
Difficulty in making decisions
Loss of sense of humor
Suppressed anger
Difficulty concentrating
Inability to finish one task before rushing into another
Feeling the target of other people’s animosity
Feeling unable to cope

Physical symptoms

Lack of appetite
Craving for food when under pressure
Frequent indigestion or heartburn
Constipation or diarrhea
Insomnia
Tendency to sweat for no good reason
Nervous twitches or nail biting
Headaches
Cramps and muscle spasms