Workers' compensation claims related to stress have tripled since 1980. New research on stress tells a different story. Working conditions now appear to be the primary cause of stress-related illnesses. When workers find themselves in stifling organizations that do not allow them to use their creativity and judgement, they are prone to get sick. The famous Framingham heart study discovered that female clerical workers have high rates of heart disease.
Stress is a natural biological response to unusual demands.
It is the survival mechanism that allows the body to react quickly and release extra energy to fight off danger or to run away. We all know the feeling. A good example is braking to avoid hitting another car. The body releases adrenaline, the heart beats rapidly, breathing increases and perspiration starts to flow. Once out of danger, however, we begin to relax.