Five common causes of stress

Handling more than you're used to makes you feel stressed. Some stress is normal and even useful. In small doses, stress can be good for you because it makes you more alert and gives you a burst of energy. However,feeling stressed for a long time can affect your mental and physical health.

Any event in life that you may find threatening, difficult to cope with or causing excess pressure can be a potential cause of stress. The things that trigger stress vary from person to person. There are some life occurrences that are common sources of stress for many. Let’s look at five such stressors.

Financial problems

The weight of bills, debt, pending mortgage instalments, rising costs of education, and mounting expenditure on health concerns can be crushing when there isn't enough money on hand. Financial matters top the list of stressors and result in sleepless nights.

To beat the financial stress, first pinpoint the source of stress, this will help you to eradicate the problem to some extent. Set a daily budget. Sort expenditures as per priorities - prioritize your expenses for rent or your mortgage, and then move on to foods and clothing. Ask a professional for debt resolution.

Workplace stress

Stress at the workplace is another major cause of stress.Thinking of solutions for the serious problems on the job, job dissatisfaction, job security, workload, deadlines, difficult situations with co-workers or making career choices can cause stress. All these problems may be accompanied by a pounding heart, a dry mouth, headaches, other aches and loss of appetite for food and sex.

Learn to say no with full confidence, if it is truly required. Pass on non-essential tasks before you feel stressed. Speak out the problem that is causing stress to your manager, boss or someone in your organization that you feel comfortable talking to.

Personal relationships

Relationships are another big aspect of stress. Conflicts can arise with our spouse, parents, children, friends, co-workers, and bosses. Sometimes our professional life affects relationships with our family or friends when we do not spend much time with them because of putting in long hours at work. Your children’s education, attitude of relatives, and illness of a family member also cause stress. This kind of stress makes you more irritable, disturbed and can lead to smoking or alcohol addiction.

Make time for yourself as a couple. Spend some quality time with each other. Do some simple things that you both like: going a walk or going movies once a week. Try to work out the root causes of the stress with your family members and talk about how you can solve the problems. Have a good communication. Think before you speak.

Health

Physical health puts great stress upon our mind and body. Heart diseases, hypertension, obesity, insomnia and diabetes are becoming a major cause of life stress for many of us. Effects of stress on the body should be taken seriously.

To beat the stress, talk to your doctor and try to root out the cause. You can very well manage your health issues by taking care of your diet and exercise along with the medications. Keep in mind the stress will unnecessarily make the condition worse. So try to keep the stressors at bay.

Major life changes

Any major change in your life - be it marriage, divorce, starting a family or even changing jobs- whether it’s good or bad, can be stressful for you. It’s not just the change or event itself, but also how you react to it that matters. Not getting enough sleep, not getting time to relax, not getting time to discuss some nagging problems can also lead to stress. These life changes may lead to anxiety, back pain, constipation or diarrhoea, headaches, high blood pressure, and problems with relationships.

To avoid the stress, you can learn to avoid the events that are causing stress. But if it is not possible, change the way you react. Try to look at the change as a positive challenge, not as threat. Talk to a trusted friend, family member or a counsellor. Eat regular balanced meals and have a proper sleep.

To beat your daily stresses, start by practising stress releasing exercises, and you will be on your way to freedom from the main causes of stress spoiling your present day lifestyle.