It is not surprising to know, we as humans all feel stress at different times in our lives once we know the origin of the stress response. Originally the stress response served us a useful purpose, it saved our lives in the era of the sabre toothed tiger and the woolly mammoth. When confronted by these creatures we had a choice to fight or to flee and this is the stress response (it was no use asking either to wait while we mustered more resources or greater strength).

The stress response is therefore geared for fighting or fleeing. Our heart rate increases, we begin to sweat, our muscles tense, our respiration becomes rapid and shallow, our gastrointestinal system feels empty and is stimulated and psychologically we are hyper-alert and we are not fully aware of all these changes in our body. Since this was the response to sabre toothed tigers and woolly mammoths, both of which are now extinct, what useful purpose can this response be to us in 2006? The response is useful in competitive sport and probably before University examinations but serves little purpose in the life of most veterinarians (except maybe when treating wild or unhandled animals).

In Australian surveys the majority of veterinarians report stress to be their major health concern. This concern is warranted when considering the long term effects of chronic unrelieved stress including fatigue, hypertension, migraine, chronic diarrhoea, asthma, adult onset diabetes, osteoporosis, immune inhibition and increased cancer risk, neurotic depression and cardiac disease all leading to a shortened lifespan. There are also other psychological and emotional effects all deceasing enjoyment and fulfilment in life. Who needs it?

There are many techniques known that will decrease stress on a daily basis but the downside is it takes time to learn these (it has been postulated that it take three weeks to form a bad habit and three weeks to change it).These skills are a combination of both personal and interpersonal skills. We all possess both the potential to learn new skills and often we use some skills some of the time but under periods of threat we forget these skills and do not apply them.

The interpersonal skills involve listening (not hearing) others and being able to communicate assertively not passively or aggressively in all situations. Assertive communication means owning your personal thoughts and feelings and being able to express them without fear of judgement by another. The outcome is increased respect and acceptance for oneself and others.

The interpersonal skills are varied and some provide relief while others have no positive effect it depends on the individual. These include deep muscle relaxation, correct breathing (a baby breathes using the diaphragm), visualisation of a peaceful scene, meditation, being aware of your body, thought stopping, goal setting and time management, disputing irrational, distorted or dysfunctional beliefs, and lastly stress inoculation. As veterinarians we vaccinate animals on a daily basis to prevent physical ill health in animals, it is logical to therefore vaccinate ourselves against stress and its physical ill effects.

Chronic stress also produces burnout and is often a precursor to both anxiety and depression. Gain the skills, live a long happy and stress free life.