Balance the key to keeping stress-free

By SELWYN PARKER

Good breathing can take the heat off.

Asked how to deal with stressful situations from normal work through to firing someone (or being fired), lengthy and complex negotiations, and, worst of all, the receivers coming through the door, Clifton-Smith says, "No trouble."

During the normal sedentary workaday routine, it is important to check your breathing patterns at least two or three times every hour. "Stop, and breathe nose, low and slow," says Clifton-Smith.

Eventually, these micropauses reinforce good breathing habits.

The same routine, only more so, works in traumatic situations such as redundancies.

In marathon negotiations, it is a winner. "Good breathing helps sustain clarity of thought and calmness. Your opponent will never be able to throw you off balance," says Clifton-Smith.

Things get more serious when the receivers come knocking.

Dealing with sustained stress requires a programme. "I call it Balance - B for breaks, A for a good night's sleep, L for lots of water, A for attitude (positive, that is), N for nutrition, C for calm, E for exercise," says Clifton-Smith.

And it might be a good idea to put your bank manager on the same programme.