BY GEOFF TAN

STRESS levels are soaring because of the recession.

Londoners reportedly face the biggest such woes - nine out of 10 people experience more work-related pressure.

A recent survey by human-resource specialist Robert Half revealed that workplace stress levels in Singapore will rise to 69 per cent this year.

However, work stress is only one side of the story. Stress at home, stemming from anything from relationship issues to finance matters, is another reality many have to deal with.

Many of us tend to look at stress negatively. I suppose this is because the term is often used to denote a less-than-positive experience.

But ask any psychologist and he will tell you that there are many variants of stress. Some professionals specify four - namely eustress, hyperstress, hypostress and distress.

I won't explain what these are. You can Google them yourself. What I would like to focus on is the idea of bad stress versus good stress.

I've realised that exposure to bad stress often leaves me tired, anxious and discouraged. Good stress, conversely, inspires me to rise up to meet challenges.

A former colleague categorises stress as being either 'functional' or 'dysfunctional'. I remember asking him what he meant. He explained that if a capable employee is given additional work and higher targets, with the knowledge that he is capable of achieving them, this is 'functional' stress.

However, if the same person is constantly inundated by negative comments about his work and given an unfair assessment, this would constitute 'dysfunctional' stress.

The difference between good and bad stress can sometimes lie in our attitude. A positive outlook, where one sees a glass as half-full rather than half-empty, can turn a crisis into an opportunity.

Having the right perspective is also beneficial to one's mental well-being. American journalist Sydney Harris once said: 'When I hear somebody sigh 'life is hard', I am always tempted to ask, 'compared to what?'

It's easier said than done, but living life to its fullest has everything to do with balance.

Author and artist Douglas Pagels puts it well: 'Sometimes, it's important to work for that pot of gold. But, other times, it's essential to take time off to make sure that your most important decision of the day simply consists of choosing which colour to slide down on the rainbow.'

I choose to have peace of mind. So it's violet for me. What about you?

The writer is a senior vice-president of the SPH marketing division and the general manager of SPH NewMedia for Zapcode.

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