The American Federation for Aging Research organizes common causes of stress into classifications that include change, fears, attitudes, perceptions and uncertainty. Physical and psychological fears create stress, and in some cases, the stress is so paralyzing that the person is unable to deal with the pressures of life. Uncertainties, negative attitudes and poor perceptions regarding past experiences and change also contribute to stress.
Work
Work is a major cause of stress, according to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The approach a person takes when dealing with work situations determines the stress level in his or her life. When a job feels like a prison, stress is created, while a more positive approach to job challenges could lessen stress. The American Federation for Aging Research notes that stress can either frustrate or motivate. Common causes of work stress include high workloads, ineffective or weak management, poor working conditions, harassment, and lack of control over the personal environment, according to Business Link, a service of Health and Safety Executive of the Office of Public Sector Information in the United Kingdom.
Family
Family issues, including divorce, childbirth, and dealing with parents and extended family can create stress. Events need not be negative to create stress. Positive family events such as marriages also influence the amount of stress present in a person's life. The National Women's Health Information Center lists family issues, including divorce, pregnancy, marriage and separation, as common causes of life stress.
Health
Health includes both physical and mental conditions, and the manner in which these are handled influences the amount of stress in a person's life. The Mayo Clinic divides stress into acute and chronic classifications and notes that chronic and persistent stress is related to physical health problems, including fatigue and headache. Other physical health symptoms of stress include decreased immunity, sleep problems, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, back and chest pain, and stomach upset, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Money
Financial uncertainties can also cause stress, according to the American Foundation for Aging Research. Money management, even under the best of circumstances, creates stress. Additional stress accumulates when jobs are lost or salaries cut. A 2009 "Reader's Digest" survey of 150 participants living in 16 countries around the world found money to be their main source of stress.
Poor Diet
The National Institutes of Health list poor diet as a cause of stress and anxiety. Lack of foods containing minerals and vitamins creates a situation where the body is unable to operate properly. Low levels of vitamin B12 in the body may lead to anxiety and symptoms of stress, according to the NIH. Vitamin B12 is found in dairy products, eggs and meat.
