Dealing with stress

My name‿ is Peter,│ an(d) for three years‿ I was permanently stressed. I had two jobs,│ a long commute,│ and‿ a boss│ who gave me deadlines‿ on Friday evening. I slep(t) badly,│ I ate badly,│ and‿ in the end‿ I could not switch‿ off‿ at all^adall.

In my country,│ we do not talk‿ about stress. People say,│ "Everybody is tired,│ so stop complaining." That‿ is why I waited so long│ before‿ I asked for help. What changed things was something very small:│ I started writing^wri-ding down one thing‿ I had to^hadda do,│ an(d) nothing more. My doctor‿ also advised me to take‿ a real break,│ so I wen(t) for‿ a week without my phone.

Now I know my warning signs. When‿ I star(t) worrying‿ about‿ a meeting^mee-ding‿ at 3 a.m.,│ I am‿ overworked,│ and‿ I have to^hafta stop. I go swimming,│ I talk to my wife,│ and‿ I say no to extra work. I have not burned‿ out‿ again,│ but I^{bud I} know it‿ is possible. Coping with stress‿ is‿ a skill,│ an(d) like‿ all skills,│ you have to^hafta practise‿ it.