I'm running further now than I used to and that's a good thing. It's a good thing I can still run, a good thing my distances are increasing and a good thing for all the health reasons thrown at us by every government department, media campaign and gym membership junkie we get accosted by on the way to work. The downside to the running is the need to release stress and the triggers of the day that sometimes make you want to slap someone in the head because they have caused you grief, most often because they didn't think of the consequences of their actions. The annual Labour Day survey in the US points out half of Americans are somewhat or extremely stressed at work and a shocking one in six workers reported being "angry enough to hit a co-worker". So the longer distances point out an obvious correlation to my work day, let alone the safety of colleagues from an errant right hook.
Like many buzz words that linger too long in the corporate lexicon, stress has many iterations including, excessive hours, performance demands, physical environments, noise, health and safety risks, company culture, communication problems, office politics, lack of autonomy and job insecurity. I look at that list and think a run is not going to be enough so maybe the answer, is to download a de-stress app of yoga music with a kaleidoscope of sunrises and manicured mountain meadows on my favourite hand held device while lighting a scented candle? Sorry, too easy to be facetious and poke fun at a serious subject.
Medical studies have shown that stress is causing more long term absenteeism than the old chestnuts of repetitive strain syndrome, skeletal injuries and medical conditions including cancer. Australian studies have indicated a loss of $15 billion to the economy each year due to this absenteeism along with a direct loss of $10 billion to employers. With figures showing healthy employees being three times more productive and unhealthy ones taking nine times more sick leave, employers need to find that fine balance between profits and giving their people the best place to work.
If employers can find that balance, then onus on the employee, is to also work on that balance, finding ways to combat stress in ways that best suit their personality. Like fighting off a cold, bandaging a cut or rehabilitating an injury we work on the obvious ailments but often let stress compound till it requires major restructure in our lives, radical redirection of thinking or a total change in environment. Drinking to excess, eating disorders, withdrawal, drugs, procrastination and general disengagement are obvious signs in the work place, unless of course you are an ageing rock star and then it's just a normal day.
There are the obvious Ms, meditation, music and massage that always get a mention but most experts contend taking back control of your life to bring down the stress levels. Learn to say no, take control of your environment, avoid the conversations that trigger anxiety, communicate concerns early and avoid bottling, work on compromise as opposed to disappointment to gain better perspective, get over the things you can't change, find a stress buddy to talk over frustrations and get out there and pound the pavements. Of all the recommendations, health seems to play the biggest part and no end of coffee, cigarettes, alcohol or self medication come close to being substitutes for any of the above.
Wherever you go and whatever you do, you'll encounter levels of stress that need an outlet. There are plenty to choose from, so in the end, use whatever it takes and if that happens to be an app and a scented candle or a long run, make it your own and go the distance.
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