Taking the Stress Out of Stressful Jobs

According to CareerCast.com, public relations ranks seventh in the list of the 10 most stressful jobs in 2012, ranking among military generals, enlisted soliders, police officers, firefighters and airline pilots. 

While PR executives may not see the life and death situations that some of the other occupations encounter, it is somewhat stressful knowing that the media tend to hang on every word a PR professional says, for better or worse, and that a company's image may hinge on those words.

The article states that PR executives not only must frequently speak in front of large crowds, but often deal with the pressure of tight deadlines, being in a highly competitive field, and managing the various personalities of members of the media, particularly in times of crisis.

So what can you do to cope with that stress, no matter what occupation you choose? Taking care of your health by getting plenty of sleep, eating right and exercising may be the start of something good.

"Exercise has positive effects on the brain and helps reduce stress by releasing endorphins," according to Reena Hamade, a certified personal trainer who resides in Upper St. Clair. "In addition, exercise helps to improve our moods."

Though the type of exericse you do is your choice, you should always take the first step by getting a medical release from you doctor, according to Hamade, who specializes in one-on-one kickboxing exericse. 

"Meditation and yoga are helpful for stress and anxiety, but it is truly a personal preference. Some people get have a huge release from vigorous exercise," she said.

Meditation, the CareerCast.com article stated, is beneficial because of the way it teaches us to help regulate our thoughts and emotions, and thus react to situations in a more skillful way.

But perhaps the most important part of exercising to relieve stress is to pick a program that you will enjoy, as you will be more likely to stick to it, Hamade emphasized.

And, what better time of the year to start an exercise program than at the beginning, when you have the opportunity to start fresh?

Heather Holtschlag is a freelance writer and PR specialist who specializes in healthcare, fitness and wellness.  Visit her website at http://www.heatherholtschlagpr.weebly.com.