Friday 22nd July is Stress Down Day. It’s Lifeline’s only National fundraising campaign. It's fun, easy and best of all it's for a great cause! Whether you want to slip-on your slippers, go to work or school in your pyjamas or in a fun costume, it's all for a good cause as long as it helps you and the people around you to take some time out from your busy lives, have fun, stress less and feel better.

Too much stress in anyone’s life is a bad thing so come on get involved, buy our slippers, organise a stress down day for your work place or school. Last year over 1,000 workplaces and schools took part and we hope to make 2011 an even bigger event.

Every day Lifeline receives 1,250 calls from Australians in need of support. We receive calls from people experiencing anxiety, bullying, loneliness and depression. Sadly up to 50 of these calls are from people at high risk of suicide. By taking part in Stress Down Day you will be helping us to answer more calls and continue to save lives.

For more information, visit the website:

http://stressdownday2011.gofundraise.com.au/

National Stress Poll Results Released – One in two Aussies very stressed

One in two Australians are experiencing a level of stress that could be making them sick, according to a new poll conducted as part of Lifeline’s Stress Down day.

In its fourth year, the Lifeline Stress Poll (facilitated by Newspoll) has found that our stress levels continue to rise each year, with an alarming amount of us experiencing high levels of stress at work and at home.

93% of Australians are stressed this year, up from 90% in 2010, and 48% of us are experiencing high levels of stress, up fro 43% this time last year.

“Lifeline is seriously concerned about the high levels of stress in our community, and it’s getting worse,” Lifeline spokesperson Brendan Maher said today.

“For years we have been concerned about the high levels of extreme stress in Australia, and each year it grows.  This year we can put some of it down to the natural disasters affecting our nation, but much of it will be due to poor stress management.”

Australians work very long hours and so it is no surprise to Lifeline that work is the number one stressor for the country, this was followed by thoughts of the future, finances, health and personal relationships.

Other data of note:

• Women are experiencing more stress than men, and in particular more high levels of stress than men (52% to 44% respectively)

• People living in big cities are slightly more stressed than those living in the country

• People who don’t work are more than twice as likely to be very stressed than those in the work force

• People who work part time experience more stress than full time workers

• The older we are, the more stressed we get about our health

• More than 60% of 18 and 19 year olds are very stressed.

The impact stress has on mental and physical health

Stress is the body’s way of dealing with pressure. Stress can be a positive thing, helping us strive for results during competitive or demanding situations. However prolonged, chronic stress can be detrimental to our physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Stress may impact you in one or more of the following ways in varying degrees;

• Erratic or uncharacteristic mood swings or personality changes

• Unusual sleeping patterns – feeling tired all the time or not getting enough sleep

• Nervous habits or compulsive behaviours

• Changes in appetite and diet – loss off appetite or eating more frequently or more unhealthily

• Dependence on alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism

• Loss of interest in activities such as hobbies, work or socialising

• Experiencing panic or anxiety and a sense of not coping

• Physical affects such as increased blood pressure, headaches, or exhaustion

• Affects on mental health – feeling down or depressed most of the time