Both physical and emotional health problems can be caused by pressure in the workplace. Everyone’s ability to cope with stress is different and while some people can work under pressure better than others, no one persons reason for stress should be ignored.

People who have stress in the workplace will have more sick or absence days which can cost the company in both lost productivity and staff retention.

The symptoms of stress vary from person to person, many may have regular headaches, back problems, tiredness and raised heart rates which if left unchecked can cause major health problems.

People who have stress in the workplace may also have mood swings, irritability, lack motivation and poor concentration, which will also result in time off work or work not being completed to the sufficient standard.

Poor working conditions can lead to stress in the workplace, as can long working hours, an inflexible approach to working, poor management and lack of job security.

In the UK the Health and Safety Executive has identified six key areas which studies have shown to affect workers levels of stress, these include demands which are placed upon workers, including work patterns and working environment, how much control workers have over their job, the type and amount of support available, the quality of working relationships, the clarity of the job role and changes in the workplace, which includes how the changes are managed and communicated within the company.

UK companies are required to take these six factors into consideration and make their workplaces less stressful places, which is also a requirement under the UK’s Health and Safety at Work Act. If companies fail to address the causes of stress workers can sue them for contributing to ill health.

Stress in the workplace can also be caused harassment and bullying, companies in the UK are also obliged to have a harassment and bullying policy which generally includes a whistle blowing policy to enable workers to make complaints without retribution.

Herbs used to relief stress are natural products which have very few, if any, side effects. People do not generally become addicted to them as with many prescription medications. Specific herbs are used on their own or in a combination with other herbs. A herbalist will be able to give guidance and support to help select the most appropriate herbs to use. Homoeopaths also use herbs as part of their holistic approach to helping relief stress.

Valerian is one of the most popular herbs used to relief stress, it is also thought to one of the oldest stress remedies. Kava Kava is relatively new addition to the list of herbs to help people who are suffering from stress which is available as a herb or extracts of the herb. Kava can be taken as a drink which provides a sense of well being and is excellent to aid relaxation. Kava Kava is used to relax muscles, relief stress and also as a remedy for sleep. Unlike many prescribed tablets Kava Kava does not make people feel drowsy the following day and concentration levels remain stable.

Valerian is used as a form of tranquillizer to calm anxiousness, it also aids sleep by relaxing the nervous system and tense muscles. Valerian gives herbal stress relief by providing a sense of peace within the person which helps them to take the things that cause their stress in a better perspective. The deep sleep that Valerian can induce also helps relief everyday stresses by enabling the person to ’switch off’ when they go to sleep. It is used on its own or in combination with other herbal products.

Chamomile is used as a herbal stress relief, it helps to boost the immune system and is also used as a mild sedative to calm the nerves. Chamomile is also used to treat digestive symptoms which can be triggered at times of stress such as queasiness and upset stomachs.

Stress is the name given to the body’s inability to cope with negative stress which requires a physical, emotional or mental adjustment. Eustress is constructive stress which does not last long and enables people to find extra strength to cope with a situation, for example athletes have eustress prior to a competition which increases their heart rate and raises blood pressure.

Each person’s work related stress should be acknowledge and taken seriously by the management team of a company. Any form of stress should be recognized and support offered to help reduce the level of negative stress being experienced as this can have a detrimental effect on staff morale and productivity.

The definition of stress can also be explained as an event or situation which makes someone frustrated, angry, nervous or anxious.

Although most people experience pressure from work from time to time those who believe they are suffering from levels of stress which are making then physically or emotionally ill should go the doctor for help, guidance and support.

Physical symptoms of stress in the work place or in personal life can include changes in normal patterns of behaviour, irritability which may also lead to aggression, the inability to make decisions or to concentrate properly, indecisiveness, excessive smoking, increased alcohol consumption and drug taking. At work people may become uncooperative, negative and unable to take any form of advice or criticism which is constructive.

Work related stress often leads to people taking time off work due to their stress or illnesses induced by the stress. There is an estimated half a million people suffering from work related stress in the UK every year.

The definition of stress which is caused by lifestyle is the same as workplace stress. It is when someone is put under adverse pressure which they are unable to cope with. This may be stress caused by money problems, housing or homelessness, stress due to children, inability to conceive a baby and countless other reasons. This stress causes as much emotional and physical illness as work related stress and can have an affect on relationships, sex drive and the inability to cope with everyday situations.

During breaks taking a walk to a nearby park or browsing shops can also help to give instant stress relief. After work or at the weekends a trip to the beach or park can help reduce stress in a peaceful natural way, as can gardening.

Reading a novel or looking at a magazine can also reduce stress during lunch breaks or in the evenings by diverting attention onto a completely different subject. By incorporating a walk to a park and sitting down to read combines two methods of instant stress relief, by deep breathing as well the person can effectively use another form of effective instant stress relief.

The art of tai chi with its slow controlled movements and meditation can also be used to relieve stress as it calms the mind, strengthens posture and balance which can help to relieve stress in tense muscles. Tai chi is becoming an increasingly popular way to reduce stress levels.

Many people find instant stress relief by listening to soft music, there are specific CDs available which incorporate gentle music designed to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Music can be discreetly listened by using an ear piece during work at break times, in the evenings listening to gentle music while soaking in a deep, warm bath can be a very useful way to reduce tension and stress.

Other people find instant stress relief by using a stress relief toy to squeeze and pummel in their hands. Other executive toys include mini punch bags and toys which can be ripped apart, these may be suitable for instant stress relief for some people.

Playing games such as chess or chequers can reduce stress by focusing on the game rather than the cause of the stress. Playing with the kids can also help divert the person’s attention away from the causes of their stress.

Taking a cat nap can be an excellent form of instant stress relief, particularly if the person has a headache or tense muscles.

Many stress relief gifts come in the form of different types of soft pliable synthetic materials which can be pummelled and squeezed with the hands. These help relief stress by giving the person something to hold as well as taking their mind away from the cause of their stress, albeit momentarily.

Other stress relief gifts such as tea lights which when lit provide a soothing aroma, incense sticks and cones also provide aromas which have calming properties which help to relief stress.

Small scale toys and gadgets are a popular choice of stress relief for the office such as punch bags to relieve tension and rip apart soft toys which are a fun way of letting off steam!

Stress balls have been around for many years and are available in a variety of designs and sizes, all of which are squeezed in the hands to reduce stress levels.

Alternative stress relief gifts include books on how to reduce stress, deep breathing and meditation techniques which are excellent to help people understand why they are stressed as well as methods of reducing stress in many different situations.

Relaxing music played on a MP3 player or personal cassette player can help relief stress, including the sounds of water falls and bird songs which can help people subconsciously go to a peaceful place in which to mentally unwind.

Aromatherapy sprays which relief stress, tension and anxiety are suitable gifts for both men and women. Women in particular may enjoy relaxing bath oils and soaks to help them relax after a stressful day at work. A really indulgent stress relief gift would be a day at a health spa which includes different relaxation therapies such as massage and steam baths.

A session of Indian head massage or acupuncture after work may be unusual stress relief gifts which are suitable for both men and women.

All of these lead to short tempers, tensions and depression among workers. Stress free jobs are those which have an approachable management team which is open to change and welcomes reasonable suggestions in working practices to keep the workers motivated and stress free during working hours.

Working long hours can also lead to stress at work, companies are beginning to realise that in order for maximum output they need to change working conditions and working environments.

Some companies are introducing chill-out zones which can be used during coffee breaks and also encourage their workers to take time out if they find themselves becoming stressed. This enables the workers to step away from their work station, providing time to enable people to undertake meditation or deep breathing exercises, while giving them time to re-focus on their work.

Rest rooms are also being fitted with a variety of relaxing games, such as Scalectrix to take the worker’s minds and attention to something completely different.

Stress free jobs are those where the worker feels appreciated and recognition for their work is made public, this constructive feedback approach has been proven to reduce stress and increase productivity.

Meetings held in less formal surroundings, such as a garden or courtyard, can also help reduce stress levels of employees and companies which have had ‘trials’ have noticed a change in the amount of workers attending meetings and their attentiveness.

In the UK workers can sue the companies they work for if they feel they are being subjected to unnecessary stress.

In reality there are few companies which offer these flexible working conditions and the onus is placed upon the employee to deal with their own stress. Many people feel that change within a company is one of the greatest causes of stress, especially if the changes involve re-locations or redundancy.

Stress free jobs are those which enable the worker to have some control over how they work, have supportive work colleagues and managers and are acknowledged for their input rather than being constantly criticised for their failings.

Stress can be relieved by taking a walk, this will enable the person to focus on something different or take them away from situations which are making then stressed. Walking with a partner is also a good way to discuss the reasons for the stress, this may be a life partner or a work colleague.

Many people find that listening to music helps them to reduce their stress levels, whether this is turning music up loud and dancing or quietly listening to an Ipod while at work. There are commercially produced stress relievers which use music to help people concentrate on their breathing rate to reduce stress levels.

Herbal remedies are available to help relieve stress, these are available from health stores and herbalists. Many of the herbs work as a muscle relaxant to help ease tensions in the limbs. Herbs can also help people to sleep undisturbed which may also reduce stress levels.

There are countless books and DVDs available which inform ways to relieve stress. These include meditation techniques, stress management and others suggest reading a non fiction book to take the mind and concentration away from the stress.

Many people find that life style changes are an effective way to relieve stress. Eating a healthy, nutritious diet and regular exercise can help improve concentration and sleep.

Those who are suffering from chronic long term stress should seek medical advice, doctors and consultants will suggest different ways to relieve stress, which may or may not include taking prescribed medication.

Stress relief toys are numerous; stress relief balls have been available for many years and have proven so popular that variations of these are being designed all the time. One of the latest stress relief toys is a chicken which is made of soft material, the stress releif is claimed to be obtained by strangling the chicken rather than an actual person, however, those who are suffering from stress may find this light hearted approach an unacceptable way of dealing with a serious problem.

Office toys which are used to relief stress include the Newton’s Cradle, this comprises of usually five pendulums which knock against each other in perpetual motion, although not intentionally designed as ways to relieve stress, the gentle clicking and visual motion of the Newton’s cradle help people focus on something other than their stress.