In an April 2009 Newsletter on Workplace Stress, Canada’s National Occupational Health & Safety Resource (CCOHS) outlines the physical and mental cost of stress on the health of employees. Although stress can have some positive effects, the negative effects of anxiety, fatigue and dissatisfaction can cause physical, psychosocial and behavioral symptoms that impact a company’s bottom line.  The article outlines 10 areas in which you can focus to improve overall mental health -

1. Build Confidence – identify your strengths and weaknesses; use your strengths; fortify your weaknesses
   
2. Eat Right and Keep Fit
   
3. Make Time for Family and Friends
   
4. Give and Accept Support
   
5. Create a Meaningful Budget – reduce the stress caused by financial concerns by living within your budget
   
6. Volunteer – volunteer work provides meaning and purpose that paid work does not
   
7. Manage Stress – learn techniques to deal with stressors before they become overwhelming
   
8. Find Strength in Numbers – sharing with others helps us feel less alone and isolated
   
9. Identify and Deal with Moods – learn constructive techniques to deal with anger, fear, sadness
   
10. Learn to be at Peace with Yourself

HelpGuide is an online resource that helps you understand, prevent and resolve life's challenges. It provides solutions that help you assess stressors and reduce them by choosing to avoid, alter, adapt or accept them.

Although it is difficult, it is important to make your health a priority. Many other sources are available to help you learn methods to relieve stress.  Here are jsut a few quick and practical tips to help you relieve stress in your life -–

1. Get enough rest
   
2. Find a relaxation technique that works for you and use it - for example, yoga, meditation, deep breathing, massage
   
3. Exercise
   
4. Manage time – take a few minutes at the start of the day to prioritize activities and organize the day
   
5. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, sugar and eat a healthy diet
   to provide long-lasting energy
   
6. Take on one project at a time. Prioritize.
   
7. Avoid criticizing both yourself and others.
   
8. Laugh.  Find things and perform activities that make your smile.
   
9. Take a break.  Find a way to take even a few minutes just for yourself.

Marji Hajic is an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist practicing at the Hand Therapy & Occupational Fitness Center in Santa Barbara, California. For more information on hand and upper extremity injuries, prevention and recovery, visit Hand Health Resources.