Many people believe that major dramatic changes in life (death, divorce, loss of job) are the most potent producers of stress. But we know this is not so. Most of our pressure is caused by minor setbacks, failures and frustrations and by petty and trivial everyday annoyances and hassles.u00a0Chronic pressure can be a powerful enemy.

It is worth repeating the research findings of Sir Charles Symonds (English neurologist) on the effects of chronic and unrelenting stress on the performance and health of soldiers exposed to continuous combat during World War 11. Sir Charles found that the constant and prolonged tension of battle resulted in a breakdown of performance.

Sir Charles discovered that every soldier had a breaking point.u00a0In the early part of a campaign most soldiers faced up to their fears and learned to control them. They became competent in battle and developed self-confidence. But, after three or four weeks of constant battle, the signs of combat fatigue occurred. They complained of continuous tiredness that was not relieved by sleep or rest.

Batting great Brian Lara looks out of his dressing room window at the end of the Manchester Test which West Indies lost to England on July 30, 1995. Pic/Getty Images