Researchers are finding that high demands plus low control over how the job is done make a job stressful. According to Professor Robert Karasek of Columbia University, the statistics on heart disease and high blood pressure prove that nonprofessional workers such as typists are under more stress than professional workers such as teachers. Dr. Marianne Frankenhauser of Sweden has isolated stress hormones often connected with heart attacks and strokes. One group of hormones is associated with adrenaline which increases with tension; the other is cortisol, which is connected to feelings of anxiety. According to Dr. Frankenhauser, when a person is given more control over his tasks, the cortisol level will lower even though the adrenaline level may remain high. The worker will make effort without distress. Another difference between teaching careers and the typist's job is that the typist's job is less interesting which causes boredom, frustration, and a decline in self-esteem. Women seem to cope better with stress than men, according to Dr. Frankenhauser, but women seem to have more stress to handle. Sociologists find that people with monotonous jobs learn to be passive and do not tend to seek stimulation after work. There are positive ways in which a person can relieve stress such as physical exercise, assertiveness training, and the positive sharing of gripes. (EM)