Though everyone needs a degree of stress to perform optimally, problems arise when people ignore serious signs, or react to them too late. The problem is the symptoms are many and varied. Stress can manifest itself as lower back problems, fatigue, cardiovascular problems, intolerance, irritability, depression, poor libido, chronic fatigue, lethargy, insomnia, disruption in eating patterns and poor concentration. When compounded by other stresses and crises, such as emotional or physical violence, or a death in the family, this often manifests itself in life-theatening heart disease and cancers. The attitude and personality of the individual, as well as cultural background, determines the severity of stress and its impact, says Oliver.
Some people thrive on stress, can sleep four hours a night and wake up clear-headed.
Others sleep twice as much and cannot cope. He says stress management is vital and people should subject themselves to a medical examination every two years to assess the impact that their lifestyle is having on their health. Oliver says oriental cultures, with a powerful work ethic, suffer less from stress-related illnesses, even though they work longer hours than their pampered Western counterparts. The astonishing thing is that as a nation, the Japanese are not working harder than they were in the past. It seems that through the global expansion of satellite TV and the Internet, work expectations have become more westernised.