Whether the pressures and stresses come from work, relationships or anything else, they do create an emotional strain. For some people pressure is manageable but for others it passes the point of elasticity and it is a problem. Employment being under threat or even starting a new job are stressful.

If you haven’t read the section on Resilience, please do so.

Whatever the source of emotional strain, the impact can be debilitating. It becomes stress when the individual’s ability to function is impaired.

It is a widely held view that the most stressful events are;

• Death of a loved one
• Moving to a new house
• Changing jobs

For some young men dealing with being the Best Man at a wedding, because of the speech, is an incredible strain. It fills them with dread and causes sleepless nights.

We believe a little tension is healthy. People who are too laid back under-perform sometimes. Their laissez-faire attitude can create complacency. Even the most experienced public speakers get a flutter in the tummy before taking the floor. However, they know what it means and embrace it; this sets the adrenaline running and heightens the powers of concentration and delivery.