Stress is unavoidable. Situations such as the death of a loved
one, a failed relationship, financial hardship or workplace frustration
are all stressful. Stress can result from joy, as well as tragedy
-- the thrill of winning a lotto is stressful. In fact, most daily
activities cause some degree of stress.
The symptoms of stress can take many forms, effecting both
mind and body. Emotionally, it feeds anxiety and depression, causes
insomnia, and robs us of peace of mind. Many physicians estimate
that over half of our illnesses are stress induced. This begins
in childhood, where most school absences are attributed to headaches
and tummy aches. Headaches have become the leading cause of absenteeism
in the workplace, accounting for billions of dollars in lost productivity
yearly.