How to relieve symptoms of stress

I don't think I'm ill, but I have been wondering if I could be suffering from stress. Is this just "the way it is at the moment" or could I be genuinely ill? I feel a bit embarrassed to go to the doctor, so what symptoms would I display if I had stress and should I be concerned?

A Apparently, typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, drinking too much, not exercising, getting little sleep, impulse buying and not feeling yourself. Worryingly for me, that's my idea of a perfect day.

However, stress isn't a subject one can joke about easily - and I should know, as I have spent the last three days sweating away over my computer until the early hours of the morning trying to come up with this subject. Therefore, I feel more than qualified to talk about stress.

While there are some individuals who take advantage and use stress as an excuse for getting time off work, stress really is a serious illness. With the pressures most of us are facing right now, stress is a workplace problem that is becoming more and more common.

Being tired and lethargic, losing concentration and being impatient, having cold hands and feet, being breathless and having heart palpitations are just some of the signs related to stress disorders.

If you are displaying any of these symptoms on a regular basis, then go to your doctor and get yourself checked out.
At the same time, try not to focus on whether or not you could lose your job. Instead, spend some time reviewing how you live your life, both in and out of work, and try and work out a stress management plan for yourself.

You can do this by listing the top four things that give you the most negative stress at work and at home. Once you have identified them, plan how you are going to overcome these over the next three months.

If you can't come up with a solution yourself, try talking about your stress points with friends or colleagues. Don't be surprised if they have had the same issues that you have experienced. They might have already worked out a solution that could also work for you.

But don't worry if they haven't, because just talking about your concerns with friends or family will make you feel better.