|
�
In Spain there has still been little research on the subject but the data we do have shows that every day there are more work related disorders. Now more than 9% of all Spanish workers are affected, and one in 20 people suffer from stress.
�
According to M� Dolores Sol�, specialist in occupational medicine of the Barcelona National Centre for Working Conditions, there is a common denominator in all these disorders. She believes that �they are all disorders arising from stressful work related factors, such as dissatisfaction, lack of participation, autonomy or responsibility, uncertainty of ones role -when you are not entirely sure what you should be doing- and lack of motivation�.
Juan Manuel Guti�rrez, safety and risk management in the workplace specialist and author of the work Ergonomics and Psycho-sociology in the Company, published by CISSPRAXIS, identifies six major groups of stressful conditions: �...physical work environment, job function, role and social relationships, career path, evolution of systems and technologies, and others such as family, financial or social problems�.
What is undeniable is that, in this industrial society we live in, in order to keep our jobs, get that promotion, get to grips with that new technology or simply to be the best, we are being overstretched physically and mentally.
�
So just what is stress?
Stress is simply our bodies� early warning system telling us it�s time to ease off. Everybody can cope with a certain amount of pressure. However, once we go past our personal limit we start to feel anxiety. Our body reacts to the pressure of modern society with the same primitive human response as it used to react to a physical threat. Our hunter and gatherer ancestors reacted with anxiety and fear when they were in danger, then they either fought or ran. Nowadays we simply get stressed out.
�
The symptoms
To solve the problem of stress it is very important to detect the symptoms as early as possible.
Fear of the future. This is an unfounded fear, the sensation that something bad is going to happen but without knowing what.
Nervousness. You are constantly on the alert, reacting to every new stimulus. New ideas worry you more than they used to and you take everything too seriously. You cannot get to sleep.
Muscular pain. When you are stressed you secrete adrenalin and your muscles tense up, especially in your neck and shoulders. Also� the constant tension saps your energy leaving you feeling much more tired than usual.
Morning exhaustion. Stress keeps your mind awake, working flat out even while you are asleep, and doesn�t give you a moment�s peace. This means you wake up exhausted after spending all night in bed.
Loss of sex drive. It�s very common that when you have a lot on your mind you lose the desire to have sex. However sex is one of the best ways the body has of releasing endorphins and reducing tension.
Lack of concentration. Stress causes loss of concentration and can even make you clumsy and lazy, so you can end up making mistakes at work. It�s your brain�s way of telling you to slow down.
�
Treatment
The first thing you have to do is to surround yourself with positive things; a cosy environment, nice music, peace and quiet and, most importantly, good friends.
You should take up an old hobby again, or start a new one, preferably something sporty. This will help you to be more efficient in your work and release a few happy hormones (endorphins), as well as calming you down and helping you to get to sleep.
You could also try some natural medicine. Some plants have a sedative effect, such as passion flower, valerian, camomile and red clover flower, which can be taken in pill form or as teas. Others, like St John�s Wort, act against depression and panic attacks.
Homeopathy is another type of natural medicine using minerals and some animal based products as well as plant extracts. And massage and acupuncture are also very useful and common anti-stress therapies.
�
The latest therapy
But if you�ve already tried all this and you�re not convinced, here are some up to the minute techniques for dealing with stress. Try Phototherapy, Odorology or Chromotherapy. Normally they put you in an all enveloping and relaxing space and bombard you with colour, odour or light, at a temperature of 30�C, while you drink water, listen to music and eliminate toxins and release endorphins. Then comes the best part: first face down and then face up they give you a top to toe massage.
Phototherapy.
Salus Center. Madrid. Tel. 902 20 31 32
Chromotherapy.
Ana Pab�n. Madrid. Tel. 91 594 33 10
Iradier Beauty Centre. Barcelona. Tel. 93 254 17 17
Sunnie. Bilbao. Tel. 94 437 92 01/91 41
Odorology.
En Memoria del Agua. Barcelona. Tel. 93 418 91 57
Anti-stress massage.
Terapier S�ren Karlsson. Madrid. Tel. 91 740 19 70
Alquimia Spa. Barcelona. Tel. 93 302 74 23
Spa Marta Winters. Seville. Tel. 95 423 06 00
Global Spa. Mallorca. Tel. 971 46 94 71
�
|
