Lessons for Living       
Weekly Lesson: "Presenteeism"

These twin dangers are stress and depression.

It's estimated that stress costs US companies an astounding $300 billion a year from things such as accidents, turnover, and medical costs.

Depression in the workplace is taking a similar toll with an estimated annual price tag of $44 billion mainly coming from absenteeism.

Now, there is a newly identified problem, related to stress and depression, which can drive costs even higher.

It is called... "presenteeism" and is distinguished from absenteeism.

Presenteeism is the phenomenon of employees showing up to work when they're too distracted, tired, or ill to be productive. A recent study of work priorities found 26% of employees surveyed saw just being "present" on the job as an acceptable goal.

This trend is a reaction to the overwhelming effects of stress and depression both on the job and at home and is often a sign of impending burnout.

If you want to be more than "present" on the job and in life, you need three key energy building skills to give you a more balanced lifestyle.

You need to intentionally relax several times a day. Take breaks and recapture your energy.

You must develop a realistically optimistic attitude about your circumstances - no matter what they are. It keeps you positive.

And, you must remember that the reason you work so hard is to enjoy life; so don't forget to do so. Put daily fun into your schedule.