Stress constitutes something of an occupational hazard for journalists, an affliction that varies in severity depending on how much work must be completed and how quickly.

During those precious carefree moments after one deadline has passed and the next deadline poses only a distant threat, stress barely registers one on a scale to 10. Just a fleeting thought. Maybe a twinge of anxiety. Fast forward to those frantic moments when a deadline hangs like the blade of a guillotine, and the stress could surge to an eight or nine, levels sufficient to cause you to lose your head. For those pitiful journalists who still have stories to complete in a matter of mere minutes, stress could hit an excruciating 10.

As I write this on a Sunday afternoon, I’d rate my stress level about a seven. I’ve still got four more stories and an editorial to finish and nine more pages to complete. I’ve also got a full day and a morning before press deadline. Worrisome, certainly. But not yet full-blown apocalyptic.

Journalists must be a forgetful lot — or exceedingly masochistic. They endure such misery, then willingly repeat the process. Thank you, sir, may I have another? Then again, journalists are prone to exaggerate about how stressful their jobs can be when the more appropriate badge of honor to wear would recognize their calm deliberation under fire.

Moreover, journalists are hardly unique in experiencing stress in the workplace. According to a publication from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 40 percent of workers responding to a survey reported their jobs were either very or extremely stressful. What’s more, 25 percent said their jobs were the major source of stress in their lives. And 75 percent said workers face more stress on the job now than a generation ago.

Survey and study results also make clear the effects of stress. By one estimate, 1 million workers miss work every day because of stress. Workers also attribute back pain, headaches and fatigue to stress. Counting absenteeism, reduced productivity, turnover and medical costs, the annual financial burden of stress on U.S. companies weighs $300 billion. That makes stress everyone’s business.

What to do? That’s what got me to thinking about how to alleviate stress.

Rebecca Weitzel — a Business Times columnist who not only generously shares her expertise on workplace wellness, but invariably does so in compelling fashion — asked in an email exchange what coping skills I employ to manage stress in the face of persistent deadlines.

My initial reaction was to joke about it, to list what I deem as some of the more humorous things I do to alleviate stress.

For starters, I believe that when the going gets tough, the tough listen to Harry Belafonte. I personally find it impossible to experience anything but bliss as a loyal subject of the king of calypso. Go ahead and jump in the line. I’m willing to bet you can’t help but rock your body in time, even if you’re sitting in your office chair. Feel the same way? OK, I believe you.

I have to admit, too, there was a time when I resorted to substance abuse —  and by that I mean massive doses of coffee and chocolate. I finally realized the effects of caffeine are mostly overrated and sometimes downright deleterious. A harsh caffeine buzz can make stress even more … well, stressful. Then my trainer at the gym, who’s also a world-class athlete, convinced me of the effects of too much sugar — none good.

Of course, there’s a problem with my glib response: Stress in the workplace is no laughing matter.

Seriously, the only remedy to stress I’ve found after working more than 40 years in newspaper journalism is to avoid the causes of stress to the greatest extent possible. Complete as much work as you can as far ahead of deadline as you can. But even that doesn’t always work. I made it a habit at an afternoon daily where I worked to write stories the night before deadline. That way I could come to work the next day stress free. Once he discovered I had time on my hands, the city editor would assign me another story to complete — that morning.

Better yet, consider Rebecca’s advice. She suggests the way people think about stress matters as much or more than the stress itself. Those who believe stress can be positive in improving performance and experience stress in what they perceive as a safe environment don’t suffer the same harmful effects. In fact, some people also report pro-social behaviors and connections with others.

Stress constitutes an occupational hazard not only for journalists, but also those working in most fields. While stress can’t be eliminated, it can be managed. It’s a matter of perception. In other words: Try not to stress over stress.