The reason why the links between stress and health are so difficult to prove is because stress, and stress alone, does not cause a specific disease. Rather, a sustained period of stress can increase our chance of succumbing to a range of illnesses, depending on individual susceptibilities in terms of genetic predisposition and lifestyle. Potentially stress can also worsen some existing conditions.

Although it can be difficult to tease out all the factors that may lead to illness, research continues to find clear evidence that stress is an issue we should all take seriously: stress not only threatens the quality of our lives but also the state of our health.

So what can we do about stress? Ignore it? Focus on dealing with the causes? Surprisingly, the causes are often closer to home than we can think.

Questions to challenge 'stress-inducing beliefs'

• Just because it's preferable to reach the deadline, why do I have to?
• Where is it written I must reach the deadline? (In my head!)
• Is my thinking absolutist, dogmatic, rigid and demanding?
• Is my thinking helpful or stress-inducing?
• Where is my thinking getting me?

Challenging 'awfulising' beliefs:

• Is it really going to be awful?
• Am I exaggerating the outcome if I don't achieve the deadline or goal?
• Am I losing perspective?
• Will it really be the end of the world?
• Am I turning a life hassle into a life horror?
• Am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

Challenging 'I can't stand it-itus':

• Will I really fall apart and not be able to stand the outcome?
• When I did not reach deadlines on previous occasions, did I survive?
• Surely I'm living proof that I've survived not reaching deadlines on previous occasions?

Challenging global ratings of the self or others:

• How does failing to reach a deadline make me a total failure?
• To be a total failure, surely I would have to fail at everything I do, everyday of my life?
• Is it fair to rate myself (or others) globally as a total failure if I've failed to accomplish one task?