Tips to help you deal with stress

Every occupation carries with it a certain level of stress, but it’s easy to see that some are more stressful than others. Careercast.com recently published their annual list of the ten most stressful jobs, as well as a list of the ten least stressful ways to make a living.

The jobs topping the most stressful list are not too surprising. The top five include police officer, airline pilot, and the number one spot, unsurprisingly, is held by firefighters. Rounding out the list, however, are some surprises. Actor and event coordinator can be found there, as well as newspaper reporter. Presumably, job security takes over for the risk of physical injury as the list winds down.

When it comes to the least stressful jobs, jeweler and tenured university professor can be found on there, and hairstylists top the list – interesting when one considers the pressures that must go into getting the job done right, as well as the lack of second chances that go along with a wayward snip.

This perhaps helps reinforce the idea that no job is completely stress free. Interestingly, both the Globe and Mail and CTV came out with articles recently that contained helpful tips for reducing stress. While the lists were varied, a few simple techniques showed up on both of them.

Both articles mentioned the value of taking your stressors and physically writing them down. The CTV article cited a study where certain students were asked to write down their worries prior to a big test, and in doing so increased their marks. The Globe article suggested keeping a journal handy, and writing in it when you are presented with a stressful situation.

Both studies also presented the merits of mindfulness and meditation.

“There’s been plenty of research in recent years that appears to prove practicing mindfulness meditation can help everyone from kids, to those with depression learn how to handle stress,” the CTV article stated. “By focusing on the breath and paying attention to just the present moment, meditation practitioners say they learn how to just let their worries roll off them.”

It was also no surprise to see that both articles recommended the use of a long walk to help reduce stress. The Globe article emphasized the idea of unplugging from technology and taking the walk in a natural setting.

These simple prescriptions are sure to assist anyone, regardless of your profession, when it comes to managing stress.

About the Founder

Dr. Henry Svec

Dr. Henry Svec is a the director of The Stess Vaccine, co-author of The ADHD Fix (www.theadhdfix.com) and a registered psychologist in the Province of Ontario, and licensed psychologist in the State of Michigan. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University, and his B.A., B. Ed. and M.Ed. from the University of Western Ontario where he played football for four years and won two National Championships.

Henry is married, with three children. He enjoys fishing and skiing. The Dr. Svec Institute of Psychological Services has offices in London, Windsor, Chatham and Sarnia. The Institute is available to help adults, children and couples of all ages www.drsvec.com.

Dr. Henry Svec has spent the past twenty years helping children and adults with ADHD achieve success by developing tools and strategies to overcome associated obstacles.