Stress is your body's response to a demand of any kind. Situations that upset your balance or make you feel threatened in some way cause stress, but good things cause stress as well. Some individuals are, by habit or nature, more susceptible to stress, or more likely to be stressed by something that could easily be dismissed by someone else. Stress can be beneficial in small amounts: it can help motivate you to do your best and perform under pressure. However, when you are always experiencing stress, your body and mind pay the price.
Family
Family members are a cause of stress. Situations such as divorce, children getting married or an argument with a family member or spouse are filled with stress. An aging or financially troubled parent moving in or a child moving out are also causes of stress. The health of a family member can also lead to stress. A sick family member, abortion, pregnancy, miscarriage are among the many family issues that lead to stress.
Work
Your career or job can cause stress. Deadlines, reviews or simply large workloads can be daily stressors. Worrying about staying employed, finding work or dealing with new responsibilities or changing jobs can cause stress. Work conditions or problems with co-workers can also be very stressful. It's stressful to lose your job, of course, but it's also quite stressful to have to fire someone.
Personal Health
Your personal health can be a major cause of stress. Stress can be linked to obesity or your desire to lose weight. A personal habit, such as smoking, alcohol abuse or drug use cause physical stress on your body and can cause mental stress as well. Not being able to bear a child, bodily injury or serious illness can also lead to stress.
Death, Grief
The death of an intimate friend, loved one or even a pet can be very stressful. Society and culture prepares us, somewhat, for the death of a parent. But when a child passes away, the stress can be overwhelming. A suicide in the family can be the source of tremendous stress for those who feel, rightly or wrongly, that they could have prevented it. Even surviving traumatic situations, such as a terrible accident or combat, can cause longterm stress, sometimes in the form of survivor's guilt.
References
- "Stress and Trauma"; Patricia A. Resick, PhD; 2001
- "Traumatic Stress"; Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD, Alexander C. McFarlane, and Lars Weisaeth; 2006
