Almost everyone experiences stress from time to time and while a small amount of stress can motivate us, too much or prolonged stress can be damaging to both our physical and mental health.
Stress typically begins as pressure – from ourselves or others – and if we are unable to cope with this pressure, we feel stressed. The effects of stress will differ from person to person, but if left untreated it can lead to illness.
There are many things in life that can cause stress, including work, relationships, family issues and financial problems. For some, stress causes them to adopt unhealthy coping methods such as smoking or drinking – and while this may feel like a quick fix, these habits are harming your health and ultimately the stress itself still isn’t being addressed.
Causes of stress will depend on the individual – so what may cause stress for one person may not be stressful for another. Having said this, most stressful situations are associated with change or a lack of control. Even if the change is a positive one, it can still feel stressful.
Some common stressful events include: – getting married, moving house, having a baby, serious illness, bereavement and divorce.
As well as events like these, stress can also be caused by long-term circumstances, such as: – being unemployed, having financial issues, relationship difficulties, caring for a disabled family member/friend and problems at work.
Stress is experienced individually and some personalities find themselves more susceptible to stress than others. Having said this, there are certain symptoms that are commonly associated with stress. These can affect us both emotionally and physically.
