Stress does not have to be a negative thing, according to psychologist Sandy DeSilva.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Employee Assistance Programme, Dr DeSilva explained that research has shown the perception of stress determines whether it is dangerous.

“Stress is caused by our perception of events rather than the events in and of themselves,” she said. “It’s our perception. It’s what makes our heart pound, it’s what makes our sweaty palms, it’s what makes the nerves in our stomach. It’s perception.”

She noted one US study which kept tabs on men for eight years after asking them if they felt that stress negatively affected their health.

“What they found is that 43 per cent of the people who died had experienced a high level of stress, but they were also the people who said that stress is bad for you,” she said. “They looked at stress as always being bad. The people with a high level of stress but said that it did not impact them in a negative way, that they can cultivate it in a positive way did not die.”

Dr DeSilva said that one key method to prevent perceived stress from harming you is through communication, personal interactions and helping others. She cited one study which showed that those who have gone through major stress events can see their risk of death increase by 30 per cent — the exception being those who spent a significant amount of time helping loved ones.

Noting the number of charitable organisations and foundations that are founded out of personal loss, she said such behaviour is a natural and positive response to stress.

To deal with stress in a healthy manner, she said that people need to look for opportunities, reduce unnecessary drama, communicate their feelings and stop making unreasonable comparisons to the past.

Also speaking at the meeting was Patrick Tannock, the president of XL Catlin Bermuda and the Association of Bermuda International Companies, who talked about the stresses of mergers and acquisitions in the modern Bermuda.

He said that changes are happening at an increasingly rapid pace, and that businesses need to adapt in order to survive. While he said that mergers and acquisitions are inevitable, a company’s human capital must remain key.

“Without our human capital, we have no business,” he said. “People run companies.”

He said that companies must be honest and consistent with their employees, particularly in circumstances in which redundancies may be made, adding: “Your reputation will be made by how you treat people not going forward.”

Mr Tannock expressed confidence in the future of the Island as a business destination, saying that the ability to change and adapt has always been a part of Bermuda’s DNA.

“I’m absolutely certain we will get through this,” he said. “It may look a little different on the out side, but we will get through it.”

The final speaker during the meeting was Claudette Flemming of Age Concern, who said that much needs to be done to ensure that those feeling the stress of leaving the workforce are well taken care of.

Noting the Island’s ageing population, she said members of the public must be prepared for the challenge of ageing and the Island must prepare itself for a “big conversation” about getting more people to work to deal with the growing financial cost of Bermuda’s seniors.

“As more and more seniors are on pension in the healthcare systems with fewer people paying into them, younger workers face the dilemma of multiple economic jeopardy which can only intensify as the population ages,” she said.

“We need to deal rationally yet compassionately with the emotively charged yet deeply routed systemic issues of migration. Why are people leaving Bermuda? We need to create attractive, upwardly mobile job opportunities for young Bermudians to encourage them to stay in Bermuda.”

She also questioned the long-term sustainability of the growing trend of offering employees early retirement rather that than letting seniors stay in the workforce.