Stress is the most common problem to affect anyone’s working life, and it isn’t always a bad thing. The brain is hardwired to go into fight-or-flight mode when it senses danger, and it does this by releasing chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol. These shut down unnecessary functions such as digestion, give a surge of energy, and boost circulation to the muscles so they are primed to respond as quickly as needed. It is when this response happens frequently or inappropriately that problems can arise, with prolonged stress linked to a whole host of health issues. 

While some people will show they are stressed in a classic way (see Table 1 in 'spot the signs'), it is important to remember that the way stress manifests itself can be highly individual. What is fair to say is that it manifests in a negative way, usually tied into that person’s idiosyncrasies: someone who is prone to eczema may experience an exacerbation when stressed, for example, whereas somebody who is naturally quite impatient is likely to become even more intolerant of others.

Being aware of negative changes – whether physical, emotional or behavioural – is key, as is keeping an eye out for the knock-on effects, for example, a deterioration in relationships with colleagues or reduced productivity. Such changes will persist for a period of time – it is important to remember that anyone can have an off day now and again.