And the easiest way to deal with that pressure is to jump on a bike, give someone a pat on the back or maybe just take a rain check on the latte.

The health experts are promoting greater awareness of workplace stress as part of Mental Health Week which started yesterday and Stress Less Day on Wednesday.

They say high-profile, high-stress occupations are not the only ones at risk.

One expert suggests boring and repetitious jobs can be just as stressful, as are many jobs involving face-to-face contact with the public.

Team leader at Albury Wodonga Health’s mental health service Paul Terrell said taking a break can lead to better health and productivity.

“People believe police, ambulance, fire, health workers — people generally dealing with emergencies need support with work-related stress,” he said.

“But boredom and repetition in the workplace can produce its own stresses as well, often just dealing with the public.

“And you don’t just stress less by deciding to stress less, you have to take steps to do something about it.

“Encouraging people to think about their stress, understand the triggers and know how to deal with those are the focus of this promotion.

“There are any ways of doing it and its not a one size fits all approach, some people will get more stressed by not doing things but for someone else it is getting that job over and done with.

“Finding ways of exercising, doing things differently or taking a break are just as important for your head as your heart.”

Mental health worker Bianca Holgate says busy lifestyles are leading to increased stress levels.

“Uncertain times like these have seen an unprecedented rise in the levels of stress people have to deal with,” she said.

“Untreated, this often leads to depression.

“In contrast to overall health gains of world populations in recent times, mental illness is growing.

“Depression is an important global health problem due to its relatively high lifetime prevalence and, if left untreated, the significant impact it causes to individuals, families and the community.”

Editorial — page 12