The Taoiseach yesterday attended VHI Healthcare's official introduction of its Get Unstressed campaign, aimed at combating stress in the workplace.
Mr Ahern disclosed that running was his way of getting unstressed. "Whenever I get a chance, I go for a run and I find it's the best way to clear my head," he said.
Prof Anthony Clare developed the Get Unstressed programme with VHI Healthcare. It provides information to companies and individuals on identifying, reducing and managing stress.
Recent studies show 48 per cent of Irish women and 41 per cent of men believe their health would improve if they reduced stress. International studies have indicated that the cost of occupational stress in Ireland could be as high as 10 per cent of GNP.
Lack of control in the working environment has been identified as one of the main causes of stress. Prof Clare said a successful company recognised that workers had a life outside the office, insisted that staff take annual leave and did not overload people with work or overtime. He also called for an end to the "disastrous" practice of taking work home.
According to VHI Healthcare's chief executive, Mr Oliver Tattan, "the message in the Get Unstressed programme is that, if we all evaluate our lives and take control of our stress levels, we will improve our health."
Over 40,000 copies of a guide to diffusing organisational stress will be distributed to managing directors, human resources managers and VHI Healthcare group secretaries. Half a million copies of the "Top Ten Tips For Diffusing Stress" will also be distributed to people via national newspapers.
For more information, visit www.vhihealth.com and click on Get Unstressed.
