Stress can be produced by a variety of factors, but the underlying reason is typically pressure. This may be the pressure that we create for ourselves or the pressure that others place on us. Whatever the source of the pressure, if we do nothing, it can lead to high-stress levels, which, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to physical damage – high blood pressure, for example. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common causes of stress, as well as suggestions on how to deal with it.
Not Having Enough Time
Not having enough time throughout the day to complete all your tasks can be a significant source of stress. We all believe that we should be able to balance everything – job, home, caring for those in need (children, pets, spouses, relatives, friends, anybody who comes our way and begs for assistance) – but when we run out of time and those things aren’t checked off the to-do list, we feel highly stressed. We’re sorry. We might even feel worthless and hopeless at times, even if the expectations put on us were unreasonable, to begin with.
However, when the expectations and tasks are reasonable, it should be a matter of figuring out what has to be done first. Having a list of priorities so that the most essential tasks are completed first and those that can wait until the following day are done last is a great approach to relieve the strain you’re placing on yourself to be a day-to-day superhero. It’s also a good idea to perform the more unpleasant tasks first thing in the morning; just thinking about having to do something you don’t want to do can create tension, so getting it out of the way early on can help.
Poor Health
Stress can be caused by eating badly and not exercising enough, but eating the wrong foods can also be a sign of stress; a never-ending loop of feeling terrible, eating to feel better, then feeling worse because you know you ate unhealthy food. It doesn’t even have to be food; instead, it might be alcohol, cigarettes, or narcotics. Any unhealthy coping strategies will make us feel worse in the long run while also ensuring that we engage in the same undesirable habits.
Making minor adjustments toward a better, healthier lifestyle is the greatest way to cope with this problem and with stress. Begin with getting more sleep, then gradually add healthier eating (a healthy breakfast, then a healthy lunch, and ultimately a healthy supper), and when that is going well, begin exercising. If you attempt to do too much at once, you’ll get overwhelmed and revert to old patterns.
Big Life Changes
Moving home, getting divorced, changing jobs, having a baby, losing someone dear to you… these are all significant life events that could bring a lot of stress. In many of these instances, you had no say in the matter, but in others, you had a choice, and it’s essential to remember that if you’re in control, you’ll feel less anxious. There is nothing you can do if you don’t have control over things, therefore there is no reason to be worried.
Of course, it’s easier said than done, so the best course of action, if any big life events are giving you problems, is to find specialists who can assist you. If you’re moving, go with trustworthy, dependable, and experienced movers and packers. If it is a divorce, a competent solicitor and a friend to talk to will be ideal. A new job? Look for guidance from your new employer. There will always be someone there who has the answers you need, and you simply need to ask the questions.
Saying Yes Too Much
If you say yes to everything and discover that you’re taking on too much, you’ll get anxious, and you’ll get stressed. You don’t want to let others down, which is reasonable, but you’re not helping yourself and may even be harming yourself. You’ll start to worry about how much work you have ahead of you, and you’ll become frustrated when you can’t do all that has been requested of you – and that you committed to.
It’s critical to understand your limits and avoid taking on too much. Saying yes to additional work would just make you feel overwhelmed and unhappy if you are already overburdened. It is far better to say no and be honest about what you can and can’t do; the person seeking the favor will have time to find someone else, and you will feel much better overall.
