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A study of 17,000 individuals found that high work-related stress is felt by up to 20 per cent of the active workforce. In the United States, three out of four people described their job as stressful.

Stress is said to cost American companies US$200 billion (Bt6.76 trillion) a year and UK companies lose an estimated 13 million man days a year due to stress.

Stress is considered to originate from our "fight-or-flight" response. When danger is sensed, the hypothalamus in the brain sets off a chemical alarm. The nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, which increase heart rate and blood flow.

At the same time, body processes not essential to immediate survival are suppressed. The digestive and reproductive systems slow down, growth hormones are switched off and immune response is inhibited.

Ironically, some stress can also be good. Stress can lead to excellence in performance or creativity.

However, when stress continues, problems arise. A recent study found that an astonishing 90 per cent of illnesses could be stress-related.

A critical part of managing stress would be to determine your optimum and personalised "work-life balance". Some are happy to spend more time at work and be more productive. Others like to go to the gym or spend time with their children and be home on birthdays and anniversaries. These are the important "rocks" we must put on the ground so the water of the busy day flows around them.

Stress tends to make you less sociable, so it is important to make time to meet friends and family.  Laughing with friends helps you realise the importance of life and put it in perspective.

Stressful times tend to take on more importance than they actually should have, so perspective is important.

Exercising is essential. Even moderate amounts of exercise will help bring huge psychological benefits and make you feel good about yourself, not to mention the associated physical benefits.

More importantly, try to manage "negative sentiment" as this is a downward spiral and tends to lead to depression.

Try to take a break from the situation and then block negative sentiments in your mind and convert them to positive ones.

If all else fails, try to find another role or job as living with constant stress will eventually take a very high toll on you.