CDA Essentials 2019 • Volume 6 • Issue 3

35 Issue 3 | 2019 | I ssues and P eople Some stress is actually good for us. It can help our minds focus, our senses sharpen and our bodies get ready for physical challenges. Who hasn’t felt butterflies in their stomachs and their heart beat faster before a presentation at work, a job interview, a date or a rollercoaster ride? These short bursts of stress are completely natural and normal. It’s the long-term, inescapable stress — job insecurity, chronic illness, financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, work overload — that’s not good for us. When our minds and bodies are constantly flooded with stress hormones, our physical and mental health can suffer. Whatever the kind of stress we experience, one thing is clear: it’s unavoidable. So we need to find ways to harness the power of short-term stress and control the negative effects of long-term stress. Bad stress blues According to the Mayo Clinic, long‑term stress is a contributing factor to many health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and depression. It often makes us irritable, angry, withdrawn or unmotivated and this impacts our professional and personal relationships, resulting in more stress. Long-term stress has such a damaging effect on our lives because many people develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. These include: ➲ Consuming too much alcohol or caffeine. ➲ Overeating or undereating. ➲ Dependence on prescription medication or illegal drugs. ➲ Smoking. ➲ Withdrawing from family, friends and activities. ➲ Consuming sugary, high-fat foods. The following article is reprinted with permission from the Morneau Shepell website www.workhealthlife.com GOOD and BAD STRESS: Do you know the difference? The Members’ Assistance Program (MAP) is sponsored by CDSPI and provides confidential short-term counselling support, professional guidance, resources and referrals for dentists, dental office staff and immediate family members. MAP services are complimentary and accessible 24/7/365. Contact MAP at 1.844.578.4040 or visit their website at www.workhealthlife.com . MAP is operated by Shepell, the largest Canadian-based Employee and Family Assistance provider in the country. Available services vary by region. Use of MAP services is completely confidential within the limits of the law. • Healthy Workplace Series •