The Last Taboo - it's not Cancer, it's Stress!

Once upon a time, it was taboo to mention cancer. It was thought that you could catch cancer. Not so many years ago, it was seen as a weakness to admit you had cancer because there was little understanding of the mechanism of growth and how it could be controlled and treated. Until relatively recently, colo-rectal cancer was something that was unmentionable. Today, cancer is not the killer it once was; it is not 'the big C'. It is discussed openly, researched widely and patients are supported with a whole range of treatments and therapies, both medical and complimentary. Some cancers are considered curable and many have long remission times. Cancer is not surrounded by the wall of silence which it once was - that wall of fear has been broken down.

Today's cancer is stress. Stress is the last taboo.  It must be contagious because the cost to British business is increasing year-on-year. More and more people are admitting they are unable to think clearly enough to do their work, are exhibiting signs of presenteeism, are developing coping strategies or suffering from sleeplessness, negative thinking and becoming depressed. Yet when questioned about work, few members of staff (and that includes management as well as staff) will admit they are feeling stressed. Why is this? Because they think it makes them look weak, will reflect badly on them and might even cause them to lose their job.

So what's to be done about it? First, people MUST be able to admit they are stressed without fear of reprisal or ridicule. Second, it should be incumbent on employers to train all staff in techniques which will help them become resilient to the stress of the job in the same way as they are trained to actually do the job. Third, any member of staff who is signed off with stress should be encouraged to see a therapist as well as their GP to ensure they can pick up their work-load effectively when they return - there has to be a willingness on the part of the employee to develop resilience and return to full performance. Fourth, incorporating wellness into health and safety policies will reduce the number of staff going off sick and reduce the huge costs to the company and the exchequer.

As a Member of the International Stress Management Association and an Anxiety UK-endorsed therapist, life and business coach I have worked with several companies and organisations to help them understand why people can become stressed and how to handle it and/or change to reduce it. Interrupting the release of stress hormones involves creating new neural pathways in the brain by changing thought-processes, active relaxation and emotional intelligence development.

Stress is a normal biological event designed to keep us safe from danger but constant stress where the body is constantly on edge can be life-threatening - I personally know people who have had heart attacks, strokes and full mental breakdowns due to stress. Stress might be the last taboo - but, like cancer, it can be a killer.

If you would like to know more about reducing stress and improving performance in your company, please do not hesitate to give me a call.

Linda Jane Johnson - 07585 802035 - enquiries@releaseyourbusiness.com