Here is a brief article that was released to the press this week. I hope it helps you. The British Association of Anger Management and its training team Beating Anger are proud to announce the online version of their unique Stress Test. “Stress is often the straw that broke the camel’s back” says Mike Fisher of the British Association of Anger Management. Most of us can remember angry incidents and relate them to periods of our lives when we felt particularly stressed. It is fair to say that if I am stressed I am more likely to trigger into anger. Now anger is not just about stress but if we can reduce the stress in our lives then we will immediately reduce the number of times we get angry.

“This is why at Beating Anger, Anger Management we deal with stress on every course we run” says Julian Hall Director of the Derby Clinic. “Getting rid of stress does not get rid of anger issues but it reduces incidents and helps our clients lead a healthier life. This is why we developed our own stress test and our unique way of dealing with stress.” Stress is linked directly to the oldest part of our brain (the Amygdala) which governs our fight, flight and freeze responses when we perceive ourselves to be in danger. If we think we are in danger this takes over. This was really useful when we used to run around in loin cloths and we were likely to turn a corner and meet with a Sabre Toothed Tiger.

Luckily we don’t encounter many of those on the high street or in the workplace these days. The instinctive response mechanism is still there and can trigger with anything from a near miss accident to criticism at work. That is why BAAM’s stress Test extends to ten key areas of our life ranging from Feelings of Integrity to Weight Management and Emotional Ease.

Paula Backen Director of the Birmingham Clinic tells us about stress. “Our body appears to have an almost infinite ability to deal with stress for brief periods of time. However it will need recovery time otherwise the effects can be devastating.” The effects Paula talks about are to be seen everywhere. They range from absenteeism at work through stress to muscular skeletal issues, and anger issues. In fact, because of the suppressing effect stress has on the immune system there is a link to almost every illness we suffer. BAAM have been helping their clients successfully manage their anger for over 14 years. Part of this is successfully managing their stress.

Julian goes on “Managing Stress is key to managing me and my relationships at home and at work. The reasons why I get stressed may have changed but the effects on me and those around me are the same.” If you want to try the BAAM Stress Test and get your scores go to www.beatinganger.com/stress-test