Feeling tense? Need a holiday? Chances are you’re working too hard. FIDELMA MEEHAN believes she can help. A member of Swindon’s Bahá'í community, she holds regular lunchtime Tranquillity Zones aimed at relieving the symptoms of stress. Here she explains why more people should follow her lead.

DOES your company offer you the chance to de-stress at lunchtime? If not, the Tranquillity Zone is the perfect place to go. The Bahá'ís of Swindon have been running sessions for three years. We are now open every Friday lunchtime during May and June. We believe we are providing a much-needed service to the local workforce. We carried out a survey a few months ago in Swindon town centre which revealed that a great majority of people suffered stress at work. They know they are feeling the symptoms of stress, yet are unsure of how they can deal with it.

Stress is becoming more widespread in the workplace. The problem is caused by our inability to balance work and home. Many of us are becoming the victims of a 24-hour work-oriented culture. It is no wonder that more and more people are becoming ill and depressed. According to the Confederation of British Industry, stress costs the UK £7-£8 billion a year, approximately £310 per employee. And the Health and Safety Executive claims that around 60 per cent of consultations at GP surgeries are stress-related, which can lead to depression, a nervous breakdown or other serious illnesses.

A Mori poll in 1999 stated that there is strong evidence of a widespread belief that several ailments and conditions are caused by stress – such as tension, tiredness, anxiety, and depression. This kind of research indicates that it is not enough simply to concentrate on economic prosperity and material well-being, because we pay the price in ill health of the workforce, sick days and low morale. We need to strike a balance by nurturing an inner strength and an awareness of our spiritual side. This has so many positive effects on us, including helping us handle more effectively situations that cause stress.

Swindon prides itself on being a prosperous town. But prosperity in its true sense includes both material and spiritual well-being. All we have to do is put a bit of the spirit back into Swindon. The Tranquillity Zone is a small step towards that. Certainly anyone suffering a bad day will feel better for the experience. I would describe the Zone as an oasis of calm and well-being for the body, mind and soul.

When you step into it, you feel you are no longer in the middle of a town. It is a serene oasis, where you can enjoy a restful and spiritually enriching experience of inspiring words and soothing music. Thousands of people have already attended sessions in Swindon and the project has become an international initiative.