Amitabh Sharma, Features Coordinator

Are you feeling rundown, exhausted before you reach the office in the morning, having headaches or stomach pains? You might be suffering from stress - the stress of workplace, in this case.

"These are some physical manifestations that are symptoms of workplace stress," said Dr Hame Persaud, a Kingston-based physician and author of A Renewed You, a book that offers a simple and pragmatic approach to a healthy lifestyle.

Persaud explained that a persons suffering from stress at the workplace are constantly complaining and are frustrated or infuriated with small matters in the office. "Even recurring sinus problems can be attributed to stress," he said.

"If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, then it is time for you to slow down and address the root cause rather than let this get the better of you," Persaud advised.

He revealed that there are many factors that precipitate workplace stress. " There are four basic reasons: health, financial, inter-personal relationships or for some, they are just stressed," he said. "For the last category, it is the case of half-empty versus half-full glass of water."

He further explained the probable causes of stress:

Not at the right place at the right time.

Long working hours.

Heavy demands at home and in other social activities.

Long commuting time; traffic stress.

Friction at home, taking care of the family, multiple commitments.

Persaud said to get a stress-free work day, it is recommended that you divide the day into eight hour intervals of work, sleep and relaxation. "But, given today's high-pressure and demanding jobs, you should try to fulfil the requirements of perfect health - find time for meals, bathe and sleep," he said.

Above all, he said, one needs to be disciplined in life. "It goes to saying the 'early bird gets the worm', Be up and awake early and get on with your work," especially in these testing times, Persaud said.

"It has become imperative that people do not sit and mope but get on with their jobs", he said. "Keep your mind focused on the job and use your expertise to get over these times," he advised.

Next: Stress management and proper diet

amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com