Stress is a remarkably strong feature in our lives. I live with it every day, and sometimes it gets way out of hand.

When I was to be my sister's bridesmaid, I developed panicky symptoms at even the thought of it as I was sociophobic in those days. Then I learned I was to be photographed by the official photographer as I signed the register. I suddenly visualised the camera zooming in on my hand holding the pen (ridiculous I know!) and I became a nervous wreck. So, of course, on the morning of the wedding I awoke to find that my pen-holding hand was completely covered in a violent, weeping rash! I had to rush out and buy lace gloves. My GP gave me antihistamines to try to combat the worst of the rash but he told me it was entirely stress-related!

I am on a daily basis confronted by stress as I have a highly stressful job. As you get older, either you learn to deal with it better or you just get tired of it all! But I do feel calmer these days and it helps to know that I am not about to die/ choke/ faint etc at any given minute.