The stress can be one of the most debilitating emotion we can have. This is not only mental stress but also in many situations can cause physical health problems – both short-term and longer-term in nature. The sad thing about stress is often not so much the stress itself, though this is very unpleasant for the person who is stressed, but rather the fear of other people's reactions if the person wishes to confide in a friend, family or work colleague – even stress management specialists.

Another sad fact about stress management, and being a stress and anger management professional myself I know this all too well, is the widespread opinion that stress management does not matter; that it is a 'fluffy' concept that is not needed or is only for weak-minded people. From many years of experience now, I can tell you wholeheartedly that this could not be further from the truth.

We all know the effects that stress can bring about and if you are reading this in search of a cure, or at least some relief, from personal stress or that of a loved one, the effects of stress need no further explanation. What I will do is to suggest the main reasons why stress management' can be a helpful course of action.

The old adage comes to mind here that 'a problem shared is a problem halved'. One of the main factors why stress is stressful is that it starts off as something quite minor. This problem whatever it maybe is often 'swept under the carpet' hoping that it will solve itself which is seldom the case.