Stress is by no means a new condition, in fact it is a throwback to the days when our primitive ancestors needed to protect themselves from predators such as sabre-toothed tigers and the like. Encountering such a creature would trigger a primitive survival response which meant that hormones including cortisol and adrenalin were released causing the blood pressure and heart rate to rise, digestive activity to be suspended and blood to be diverted to the muscles and major organs. The body was literally preparing for fight or flight!Unfortunately our stress response hasn't changed much since those times, and although modern day stressors are more likely to take the form of traffic jams, financial problems or relationship difficulties, our bodies still respond as though we are in physical danger.

So what can we do to make ourselves more resilient to the effects of stress? Our first feeling may be that stressful situations are bad and to be avoided at all costs, but this approach is not very realistic. We need some stress in our lives in order to stretch ourselves and grow, and avoiding stressors is simply not practical if we are to survive the rigours of every day life. A better strategy is to try and change the way we react to events and challenges, by using the imagination in a more positive way.

You may find it helpful to divide things into two categories: those that you can influence, and those that you cannot. Do not allow things that you have no control over to worry you and make you feel stressed, because it is a waste of energy which would be better spent finding ways to live with, or in spite of the situation. By accepting what you cannot change, you can significantly reduce the number of stressors in your life.