Official research is showing that prolonged exposure to chronic and constant stress is fast becoming a veritable killer. We just can’t function under this sort of consistent pressure. In our modern world, stress is a concern for us as a community, so we must address the issue both as individuals and as a society right away. We know that small amounts of stress can at times be good for us, spurring us to take action or step out of our comfort zone when we need to, but each year consistent results are showing us that as a nation we are no longer feeling just a little bit of stress and it is fast getting out of hand. And this is true in all other countries in the so call ‘civilized’ world. Are we beginning to lose a grip on what is really important in life? I believe we have already.

A national poll in Australia has found that 87% of the community is stressed.  More alarmingly, 41% of Australians indicated that they are experiencing unhealthy levels of stress. The poll, commissioned annually by Lifeline Australia, conducted by News Poll and analyzed by Orima Research, has found that Australians cite workplace stress as their number one stressor, followed closely by financial stress, concerns about the future, health and personal relationships.

Interestingly enough, other results from the poll show that overall, women are more stressed out than men, people who live in big cities are more stressed than people who live in the country, single people are commonly more stressed than couples and the more people earn, the more stressed they get! What does that say about our values as a nation?

To help the country stress less, Lifeline Australia is once again holding Stress Down Day, on Friday 24 July and thousands of people around Australia are expected to take time out then to take part. Stress Down Day is part of a drive to get Australians to stress less as extreme levels of stress have been linked to real and lasting mental and physical health problems, such as anxiety, depression, back and neck pain, not to mention heart disease and even cancer. The campaign is designed to encourage all Australians to stop and think about developing positive habits to reduce stress now.

Lifeline Australia CEO, Dawn O’Neil is quoted as saying that “Stress and emotional health are serious issues, but we really want people to also have some fun on Friday and to participate in activities with friends, family, colleagues or on their own.”

We’ve heard about all sorts of activities that are happening all over the country. Some people are holding morning teas or dinners; some are holding relaxation activities such as yoga, while others are doing something quite silly like wearing their pyjamas and the Lifeline slippers to work or school. Lifeline also has an online store where you can purchase other products besides their quirky slippers plus your generosity goes to support Lifeline.

There are any number of things that people can still do to get involved. It isn’t too late to join in. People may simply want to take some time out on Friday to do something that is relaxing to them, like going for a walk, meditating or reading a book. Arrange to do anything which is going to give you some respite from stress, if only for a little while. Who knows, it could … and should…become a daily habit if it stops you getting quite so stressed!

Lifeline wants all Australians to put stress aside for the day and enjoy some fun, stress reducing activities in return for making a financial donation to Lifeline. “We just ask that people consider making a donation to Lifeline when they do this,” Ms O’Neil said.

All funds raised from Stress Down on 24/7 will go towards covering the growing cost of running Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counseling line. This service connects over 1,200 people all over Australia with emotional support and without the backing of the community, this service would just not be possible at all.

As a nation Australians need to address the toll that stress is taking on our physical and emotional wellbeing and develop vital strategies to deal with and reduce the level of stress we experience on a day to day basis. This is also true for Americans, Europeans or anyone else who is part of the high pressure, 21^st century lifestyle. We must bring balance back into all our lives. Beyond raising much needed funds for Lifeline, Stress Down on 24/7 is intended to encourage Australians to consciously take steps to look after their own wellbeing for the longer term. Perhaps other countries could adopt this amusing stress awareness strategy? We’d love to hear about it happening all over the world as an anti stress initiative. Perhaps we could get it going like the Free Hug campaign?

To make a donation to Lifeline and get involved in Stress Down Day on 24/7 visit www.stressdown.org.au and if you would like some very practical help on how to deal with stress, don’t forget to check out our brand new book The Anti Stress Book.

Enjoy Stress Down Day! We will be wearing our slippers all day.

Once you come across the 90/10 Principle and incorporate it into your life, it will categorically have a profound impact on your way of life (at least the way you currently routinely react to your circumstances).

So what is this principle? It states that 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is determined by how you react.

What does that mean?

It means that we really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot?stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different and determined by YOU alone by your decision as to what something MEANS to you and your subsequent reaction to that meaning.

You cannot control a red light, but you can control your response to it by deciding whether it means you’re going to be late for a meeting or to get home for dinner, or whether it gives you a few minutes to centre yourself before dashing back to the office for that interview. Your call!

Don’t let people tell you stories! You CAN control how you react.

For example: You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over?a cup of coffee onto your clean clothes. You have no control over what just what happened, but what happens next will be determined by how you react. You get annoyed and scold your daughter unkindly for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize them for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your clothing. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work.

You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye.?After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started dreadfully and as it continues, it?seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home but when?you finally do arrive home, you find a small stumbling block in your relationship with your?spouse and daughter.

Why? Purely because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a?bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?? B) Did your daughter cause it?? C) Did the policeman cause it?? D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D”.

You had no control over what happened with the coffee.? How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, “It’s ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time”. Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing fresh clothes and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on what a splendid day it is and you agree feeling great .

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios: Both started the same. Both ended differently

Why? Because of how you REACTED.? You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens.? The other 90% is determined by your meanings, interpretations, beliefs and ultimate reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.

If someone says something negative about you, don’t be a sponge. Let the incident roll off like water on glass. You don’t have to let the disparaging remark affect you! React well and it will not ruin your day. An inappropriate reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.etc or worse.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Do you pound on the steering wheel? Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and ram into?them? Who cares if you arrive three minutes later at work? Why let the slow traffic ruin your journey?

Keep the 90/10 principle in mind and do not stress about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your energy and time instead to find another job.?The plane is late; are you going to let it mess up your agenda for the entire day? Why take out your annoyance on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to do something else: read a book, write an email or two if you have your laptop with you or get to know the other passengers.

Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle, apply it and you will be astonished at the results and you have absolutely nothing to lose by experimenting with it. The 90-10 principle is incredible but very few people know about it and even fewer ever apply it, with the result that millions of people are suffering from needless stress, pain, problems and despair.

We should all set great store by the 90/10 principle but we must also apply the 90/20 principle because it really CAN change our lives if we use it consistently.