EVERYONE experiences stress from time to time but for many people like Clare Nolan the feeling can become so over-whelming that they can no longer cope.

Stress has been described as "the silent epidemic" and according to latest statistics, is now the number one reason for absenteeism in the work place.

Clare, 40, from Verwood, worked as an air hostess for 13 years, flying long haul, until the job started to take its toll on her health and she was signed off sick earlier this year.

"The job changed quite dramatically following 9/11 and flying became much more stressful - there were more delays because of security checks and passengers were more stressed too.

"I stopped enjoying the job and started comfort eating, I used to have trouble sleeping, I felt lonely and I hated being away from my family and friends for such long periods of time too," she says.

"I didn't know whether I was coming or going at times and I found the job harder and harder.

"I also suffered with back and shoulder pain from lugging a suitcase around or pushing a trolley.

"Each flight left me both mentally and physically exhausted and even though I had always loved going to the gym I just didn't have the energy to exercise."

The crunch point for Clare came following the loss of her father in September last year and she ended up being signed off work.

But it was while she was recuperating that she discovered pilates - a fitness system that not only improved her health but literally changed her life too.

"It's one of the best things I have ever done not just for the health benefits but because it really helps me to de-stress too," she explains.

"When you are stressed your breathing becomes quiet shallow but pilates makes you focus on your breathing which means you get more oxygen into your body.

"It also helps to improve your posture, balance and co-ordination as well as building up your muscle strength."

Clare is now a qualified Pilates instructor and runs up to nine classes a week around Verwood, Parkstone and Wimborne.

Although she is due to return to work as a part-time air hostess, Clare who is also a qualified nutritionist and fitness instructor, says she hopes in the long term to become a full-time pilates instructor.

"I guess you could say that it has given me a new lease of life in more ways that one," she added.