There is an epidemic of stress going around.

Well at least it seems that way to me.

Within the past week I have heard of several cases of stress causing problems such as sleeplessness, heart palpitations, hip and back pain, feelings of anxiety and loss of control over life events.

All of these people are either business owners or managers. That explains part of their dilemma because leaders are subject to constant stress....much of which is self inflicted through the setting of new business goals and striving to accomplish them. Information overload, instantaneous communication through numerous technologies, highly diverse work and customer populations, a competitive society bent on spending itself to death, are many of the reasons people stress out.

And lets not leave out the roller coaster ride of relationships with those we love or have loved. Those who live or have lived. All of our human connections are complex ... many defy reason, all have some level of stress attached as these connections are made, mature and die.

Constant change keeps us in constant transition.

Author William Bridges in his book "Transitions" defines change as an event, something that happens here and now that changes things around us. A transition, on the other hand, is an emotional process of adjustment to a change.

High levels of stress can be seen and felt during transition. And periods of euphoria can also be experienced as we anticipate wonderful new possibilities that may come from change.

The passages of transition are simple but vital to help us understand what we are experiencing with stressful changes in our lives.

Transitions begin with Endings. Endings take time and some introspection to appreciate what has ended. Only when we can fully understand and appreciate what has ended will we accept the ending and begin to grow into new possibilities in our life. Like a boat tied to the dock, without appreciation for the ending, we find ourselves being pulled back just as we try to paddle away. In effect we are tied to the past. This is stressful!

Here is a tip -- write about the ending. Rather than running from it, avoiding it, or dismissing the change. Face the ending --- journal it out. Describe everything that has ended, the good of it, the bad of it, how you feel about it and look for the growth you can get from it.

Talk therapy can be helpful. With friends, family, professionals and in business with your boss and peers.

But putting it down on paper causes you to think it through more completely and drains the stress away as acceptance takes over.

Endings are followed by the Neutral Zone. The neutral zone is just a hound winding period when nothing seems quite right and we are searching for something new to give us stability and meaning in this part of our life. It is also a temporary place........as Bridges puts it , "it is a great place to visit but you wouldn't want to live there."

We usually go around and around thinking, confused at times, about what happens next?

Mike was a quiet, diligent, hard working, computer assembler working for me when I told him that his job was ending.

Mike blurted, "What the heck am I going to do? I've been putting these assemblies together for over four years and I'm an expert at the alignment operation!"

"Mike, I agree you really know your stuff and I consider you an asset to this department."

Then I said, " You have a lot of other skills and qualities that can be assets to the IBM company, all we have to do is find the right fit for you."

After a complete review of Mike's background and education I began a corporate search to match him with possible career choices. During this time Mike's spirits were up one day and down the next, unable at times to make choices and I worried that we could find a good fit.

Then one choice came up that I never seriously considered but Mike had interest in -- Marketing Rep in Los Angeles. This was a stretch and as far from what he had been doing as anything I could imagine.This job was only about 10 job levels above his current job!

We talked and talked until Mike began to see new possibilities and became so enthused that he convinced me to submit his name for the position. Mike was selected by Marketing for the position.

Mike returned to see me 15 months later and tell me of his success(es) since leaving his lowly assembler position.

He had gone through the neutral zone and found his new possibility.

Some tips to combat stress in the neutral zone include following a schedule for meals, exercise, rest, meditation, church, socializing. This period of time is topsy turvy, confused and frustrating as we take two steps forward and one step back. Things appear unfamiliar and unfocused at the same time. We don't sleep. We shake. We sweat alot. And other things.

We need support from the familiar people, things and activities in our life to reduce stress and keep sane.

The last stage of transition is called New Beginnings.

Recently, a lady client said, " I can't begin anything until I clear up my endings!" And then looking right at me she asked, "Can I?"

I answered, " Yes you can. We all do it all the time."

English novelist, John Galsworthy wrote, "The beginnings...of all human undertakings are untidy."

We come to beginnings from every direction under the sun. Brainstorming. Checklists. Mistakes. Successes. Misinterpretations. You name it and someone has experienced a new beginning in the strangest way.

What is important to know is that a beginning will appear when you are ready.

Reflecting quietly, listening to your intuition and examining your personal doubts about your imaging of your future are all things necessary to carve out a beginning.

Once you think you can make it happen just DO IT! Don't wait for everything to line up...perfection stalls progress.

Constant change drives most distress in people today. Understanding the phases of transition brought on by change helps to settle anxiety by at least suggesting that the sun will rise again tomorrow.

We can make it through.

Stress is lowered, not eliminated (unless you're dead!), by reducing the number of changes. Lower the severity of change. Don't take on too many BIG changes at once.

Simplify your life.

Reduce the number of things that take up your time, attention and money to attain and maintain.

Reduce your needless interruptions from cell phones, Ipods, Blackberry's and all that electronic gadgetry which eats time and produces frustration.

Reduce your personal commitments to allow time for yourself to do NOTHING. We all need downtime...turn off the TV, and the movies....we don't need vicarious stress when we are getting plenty from real life!

Managing your life well will reduce stress. You have heard it all before. Diet, exercise, meditation, breathing, relaxation and writing are good short term things to do which may help.They help us to slow down our body and mind while we sort things out.

But the big one is managing change and transition.