Although there are of course people who look for help quickly to nip it in the bud, “self-visibility” unfortunately only seems to come when relationships break down or the body starts suffering from health problems.

Stress creeps up and integrates so naturally into our everyday life that often we can’t see it until it’s taken a toll. That’s why I recommend looking out for signs like the ones I’ve listed in this article.

Best, Robin
Robin Dickinson´s last blog ..How you make money from social media

I do think people are more ready to see signs of stress etc. in others than they are to see or admit to it in themselves.

Thanks for your comment Robin.

Tragically, your five warning signs read almost like a behavioral guide for the corporate world. I’ve experienced many people carrying on with these clear stress signs, almost wearing them like a badge of honour – especially amongst more senior managers.

It’s a sign perhaps of the state of cultural sickness we endure corporately.

It seems the so called ‘balanced lifestyle’, ‘four-hour work week’ and expected productivity gains from all of this marvelous technology, have yet to manifest as a lighter touch in business and in life.

We almost seem more stressed. In your experience Reeta, as a group are we becoming more stressed or less stressed?

Best to you,

Robin
Robin Dickinson´s last blog ..How you make money from social media

For the best and smoothest transitions, people need to want to address it for their own reasons. This is because it’s a two-way interactive process and they need to be open to exploring.

When someone’s chronically stressed, they don’t necessarily realise that they DO have the commitment and desire so it’s a good idea to remain encouraging.

However, they’ll switch off if “encouragement and support” is your only topic of conversation so, like you already spotted, stay alert for the boundaries.

Ways to encourage can include:

- Keeping them advised of all the various options open to them
- Empathy for their own reasons for not wanting help – they might be embarrassed, confused, frightened etc. It’s always a risk to assume you know what they’re feeling
- Setting up a no obligation appointment for them to talk to someone just to get a feel for it so they can decide if they want to continue

Hope this helps Julie.

I find people who understand that they have a problem but they are not willing to take the first step and too much pushing from family members will turn them off even more.
Julie Walraven | Resume Services´s last blog ..How do you start your day?