Stress is a part of everyone’s life. Too much of it can immobilize us, affecting our enjoyment of life and others.

While stress is our reaction to a threat, most threats are based on our perceptions of threats, changes, and challenges — not reality, says Barb Sylvester, ACHC Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality.

Occupational stress has been a long-standing concern of the healthcare industry, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Learning to manage stress can help many deal with it more effectively. (Information on job stress in hospitals and other healthcare settings and ways to reduce it is available from NIOSH.)

The following list, developed by psychologist and author Dr. Gary Schwartz, can be used to better assess and manage stress:

• Mental
  • You control your attitude.
• Intellectual
  • When you are under stress, it is easy to lose perspective. Step back, take deep breaths, and focus on short-term goals.
• Emotional
  • Understanding why you feel the way you do gives you an opportunity to work through problems.
• Relational
  • Good relationships encourage you while toxic relationships kill your spirit.
• Environmental
  • Work surroundings — noise, lighting, air quality, or crowding — can prevent concentration and cause stress.
• Physical
  • Most of us don’t get enough sleep. Exercise makes people more resistant to the effects of stress. Stress negatively influences dietary behaviors.
• Global and Spiritual
  • We can control how we respond to world events and others. People often deal with stress through prayer, meditation, and solitude.
• Organizational
  • Organization relieves stress. Take control of your time and plan ahead.
• Practical
  • Spend time away from work. Americans spend more time on the job than employees in other developed nations.
• Financial
  • Take steps to manage your money. Financial problems are a major life stressor.