This blog reflects the name of a BBC Radio 4 programme and the actual subject of the said programme. Last night's programme (Thursday 20th December 2012 9.00 pm) follow this link to hear it, was about stress.

Like us the BBC have been publicising and analysing the results of a stress test on their sight and this gave rise to the article on last night's programme. The headlines of the study were quite remarkable and were music to our ears. It is, after all, always nice to have another study prove you right. The key conclusion was that while traumatic life events have an impact on our levels of stress, it's actually how we deal with them that matters. The study and the conclusions focussed in on two particular areas, those of self blame and rumination. In other words if I am one who is prone to self blame and continuously thinking about situations in the past or the future then I am more likely to experience high levels of stress.

The link for us is that stress is a major factor in anger, conflict and productivity issues in the workplace.
In the words of Claudia Hammond "so ....as a therapist....could you just look at rumination and self blame and reduce stress?.." and the answer firmly from our point of view is a resounding "yes!"

In our work with stress, conflict and anger we have long known that the really unhealthy stress that we carry is self perpetuating. We know that we are the masters of our own reality and what we create (i.e. the stress) we can uncreate. We have not focussed solely on self blame and rumination but they are firm components of it.

In fact we deal with the following factors

• How I put myself under pressure
• How I seek approval
• Not making myself a priority
• Letting go of control
• Trusting the unknown
• Trusting myself
• Trusting others

The above factors in stress are, what we have learnt, the anchors that people tie themselves to stress with. Our work with our clients is about helping them free themselves from them. The BBC report language may be slightly different but rumination and self blame are factors of at least four of the five anchors. Read them back, reflect on yourself and see if you agree.

This survey and the work that we do is fantastic news for individuals and employers alike. For individuals you now know (if you did not already) that the greatest stress is that which you give yourself. This is empowering knowledge because once you understand this then you can move forward to removing or minimising the stress you create.

For employers this is the key to a raft of issues that will (or should) bother you and cause members of your HR department to ruminate more often than they should. Issues such as employee morale, stress, employee absence, staff turnover, recruitment and training costs. Helping your employees deal with their stress is within your gift and the benefits to you and your bottom line are huge. Stress is a multiplier issue. Deal with it and your effectiveness and your team's will be multiplied.

If you want to hear it for yourself listen to the podcast on our site. Link here.

If you want to take action as an individual then e-mail julian@beatingangerderby.co.uk.

If you are an employer interested in their employees health and wellbeing then e-mail info@stressexperts.co.uk