Why do we get stressed?

Written by Christine Webber, psychotherapist and life coach

Not releasing stress can affect your mental health.

In 2009, Australian research suggested that one in two of us will have problems with stress during our lifetimes.

Studies on stress in the workplace

Studies have shown that the most stressful occupations in Britain are: the prison service, the police, social work and teaching – closely followed by a whole range of NHS jobs, including nursing and doctoring.
In addition, there's the massive problem of ‘post-traumatic stress’, which is common in certain occupations. For instance, in 2009, many cases of post-traumatic stress disorder are being seen in Britain’s armed forces.
In general terms, many experts believe that most stress in the UK occurs because of our long hours culture.
In February 2007, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) reported that the average employee does almost an extra day’s work (seven hours) per week in overtime.
And in many offices, individuals are working far longer hours – notably in accounting, advertising, law, IT, public relations and broadcasting.
So does this long hours culture matter when we think about stress?

Long hours and stress

Long hours on the job may be viewed by some employers as a way of getting more work done. But in the longer term the consequences of this work pattern appears to be that it:

• increases sickness absences
• increases workplace stress
• has serious health and safety implications
• contributes to low morale in the organisation.

All this means is, we need to look carefully at our lifestyles to try to limit the amount of stress we're suffering.

What happens to us physically when we're stressed?

We are all born with an instinctive stress response.

• Whenever a potentially dangerous situation arises, stress hormones are released into our bloodstream.
• They cause instant mental and physical change in us, giving added strength and endurance, and make us feel pumped-up and ready to fight.
• Stress hormones also enable us to run away much faster than we could normally manage.

This response is generally called the 'fight or flight syndrome'.
The fight or flight syndrome was vital when we used to live in the wild and were liable to attack from other tribes or wild animals. We still use it today.
Suppose someone tried to snatch your child while you were shopping.