How do you know when you are suffering from background anxiety? Its important to be aware of the warning signs, because excessive levels of anxiety can disrupt your performance, stifle joy and lead to depression and illness.

A good test of a persons physical fitness lies in their ability to do the things our ancestors did, routinely. So youre physically fit if you can run slowly for several miles without getting out of breath, climb, hunt wild animals . . . you get the picture.

Perhaps youve stopped reading already, daunted by this test of physical fitness, but we know, deep down, that were built for that kind of activity. Its what your human frame was designed for.

So what about anxiety? What is the equivalent test of normality which we should apply when deciding whether we are over-stressed? I would propose the following list. I dont claim that its scientific, but I would defend it as a pragmatic and practical list of qualities. These are the conditions which each one of us can aspire to.

A reasonably relaxed person :

Doesnt procrastinate

Is open to spontaneous suggestions

Looks forward to the weekend . . . and looks forward to the working week

Feels that they have plenty of time

Moves gracefully

Enjoys their food

Sleeps well

Good balance of time between family, personal and working lives

Fit

Efficient

Looks forward to challenges

Not readily affected by criticism

Not particularly susceptible to vices such as overeating, smoking, heavy drinking

Open and courteous

How did you do? Dont worry too much if you struggled. It isnt unusual for people to struggle with half of the items on this list. Turn this around for a moment and think about the gains to be achieved when you do learn to relax. Think how pleasant it would be to feel more optimism. To take greater pleasure in your animal nature (eg exercise, sex, food, sleep). To enjoy greater control over your own destiny. And, of course, the career benefits to be enjoyed from greater efficiency and effectiveness.

We can all benefit from increased relaxation. Perhaps surprisingly, this isnt hard to come by. As a hypnotherapist I treat people for a range of conditions, and the consistent response from my clients is yes, you helped me with my condition, and Ive also discovered again how much fun life can be. Stress reduction is a side effect, a by-product, for many hypnotherapy clients. If you wish, it could also be the main event.

Look after yourself. Its a short life and its here to be enjoyed. Consider hypnotherapy. Consider meditation. Above all, look honestly within yourself to identify sources of anxiety. Dont be embarrassed, or feel guilty, simply because you feel anxious. Its normal. Doing something positive about our background anxiety is possibly the most positive step any of us can make towards enjoying life more.