Dr Stress, John McEwan, cites research by Holmes and Rahe which measures how things such as marriage, changing to a different type of work, revision of personal habits, changes in residence, change in social activities, business readjustments, taking on a mortgage, sleeping habits and even marital reconciliation can cause stress as can the more obvious stressors: death of a loved one, losing a job and sickness.
As a counsellor, I'd say it's important to note, though, that it's our relationship with stress that counts, rather than stress itself. If we didn't have any stress, we might not be inclined to achieve anything - after all it's something that gets us up and going to work every morning.
Stress can give us a useful burst of energy that has advantages. It helps motivate us, helps us to meet daily challenges and focus on studying to do well at exams or work towards a promotion. But stress can also cause illness and fatigue and it's good to take note of that and make sure you are taking good care of yourself both physically and emotionally during these times.
Many business leaders have told me that they look out for the people who are open to change and embrace it for promotion, rather than those who dig in and make things difficult for themselves and others.
McEwan says the primitive part of the brain doesn't like change - and for some it can take three months to two years to properly process it.
"Major positive things can be very stressful and even make you sick. Great success and achievement can cause stress as it increases the expectations others have of us and that we have on ourselves," he says.
"Consider people who win the lottery - it can destroy their lives because they're not used to or trained to deal with that level of wealth. It's often about what we're used to, and the fact that we can handle that better than what we're not.
"There's a lot to be said for developing resilience and increased success can lead to being exhausted. It's good to note this and do what you need to do to relax."
McEwan says that what's important is how we adjust to change, whether it's positive or negative. In his website drstress.co.nz, he talks about being a warrior, not a worrier - in the workplace that's really important, as a warrior sees opportunities while a worrier focuses on the problems and why things are so bad.
HR consultant John Butters of John Butters and Associates says that potential for expansion or redundancy can often be read into news headlines. He says a typical sample from the Herald reads like this: "Kiwi flirts with parity to aussie dollar", "PAYE plan for business in major shakeup", "Business sectors give the thumbs up", "To cut waste, make products that last longer", and "Japan to Christchurch flights cut".
The common outcome of almost all the news items above is that there will be business and workplace opportunities or threats around the corner, some close, some quite far away.
Through his work, Butters has often observed people during company reorganisations. "Sometimes jobs are added or jobs are removed."
He says it's good to note that the organisations move on despite the attitude of the people concerned.
"The company needs employees who volunteer to be part of the crew rather than the people who hold things back. People who move with the change tend to be recognised by the organisation. Employees who are change resistant can be seen to be an impediment to the organisation. This may not be the case - but the business doesn't want players slinging off the organisation to others during the change, as often happens.
"Some organisations will try and direct such people to EAP counselling services, but if they keep on being a problem, they may be sidestepped."
Butters has observed that the people who come through changed work environments the least stressed and most calm tend to do a range of things to be ready or "match fit" for whatever opportunities may arise.
"People need to be clear about what they are expected to deliver on the job and you need to know what your manager or supervisor is expected to deliver as well.
"Successful people seek regular feedback from managers, supervisors and colleagues as to how they are going. It's important to ask and listen non-defensively to what you should keep on doing, stop doing or start doing.
"It's important to focus on what you can control not on what you cannot, for example, it is good to keep your CV or resume alive by regularly adding to it, particularly your achievements."
Butters says: "What is in the business headline may take a long time to affect you - but it's good to be ready when it does."
It's about being ready for the change and being able to embrace it.
• Val Leveson is an Auckland-based counsellor
