This is just one of ten tips put together by BACP Workplace on managing stress during the recession - to coincide with National Stress Awareness Day on 4 November 2009. BACP Workplace is a division of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

It is also important to:

• Communicate at home - talk to friends and family about how things might be affecting you, as this can help you prepare for different eventualities.

• Exercise regularly - keeping fit and healthy is vital. Even if it's just a walk at lunchtime or taking the stairs rather than the lift, it's good to get the blood circulating to refresh your outlook.

• Take control when you can - try not to worry when you cannot. Often the things that cause us major stress are factors that seem beyond our control. If you know you can't control something, there's no use overly worrying about it.

• Take a reality check - stress, fear, worry and anxiety can all fester and breed, leading to a whirlwind of panic and hysteria. Getting things into proportion is key to assimilating the reality of a situation and gaining control.

• Eat healthily - this can have a dramatic effect on how we feel about ourselves and planning a healthy, balanced diet can provide our bodies with the optimum fuel to cope better with busy, hectic lifestyles.

• Engage in some TLC - it's important to be able to take ‘time out' and connect with our family and friends. But it is equally important to take time for yourself as well. Treat yourself and indulge in healthy relaxation such as reading or a hot bath.

• Let things go - we all have a perfectionist streak in us to some degree, yet this can cause us to ‘beat ourselves up' about things that don't go according to plan. Learn to give yourself a break and not be too hard on yourself if things don't work out the way you'd like them to.

• Maintain work-life balance - make a conscious effort to differentiate between your home life and your work life. This means not talking about work at home - or working at home in the evenings - and cocooning your home life from work.

• Share your problems - often, we feel stressed because we feel trapped with no obvious way out. Seeing a counsellor can be really helpful to find ways forward, look at options for change and manage or cope with difficult situations.

Rick Hughes, Lead Advisor for BACP Workplace, said: "The recession is affecting us all in different ways. Many people fear job losses and the impact this may have on their lives. For those who have already lost their jobs, it's about facing a new unknown and getting back on the career ladder again. And for those people who feel their jobs are more secure, there is a tendency to work even harder, as if to prove their worth and become indispensible. To ensure that we remain healthy during the recession it is important that we manage these situations and learn to tackle stress in a healthy and effective way."

Talking to a counsellor about feelings can often ease pressure and strain, and assist in finding ways to cope. Many workplaces provide free counselling support for their employees, either with a counsellor who works on-site or via an independent external service, such as an Employee Assistance Programme. If your company does not offer counselling support, or you would prefer to find a counsellor privately, contact BACP on 01455 883300 or visit http://www.bacp.co.uk/ to find a counsellor in your area.

For further information please contact: Alison Croft, BACP Press & Public Relations Manager, on 07989 416665 (mobile) or alison.croft@bacp.co.uk or Phillip Hodson, BACP Media Consultant on 0207 794 2838 (work), 07961 401685 (mobile) or phillip@philliphodson.co.uk

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Date: Monday 2 November 2009

Notes to Editors

• Further information on BACP Workplace can be found at http://www.bacpworkplace.org.uk/