10 Ongoing Life Issues that Might Be Stressing You Out

Amy Taylor August 13, 2013

Tweet

Experts often call stress a silent killer because it is associated with many physical and emotional illnesses that if not treated well, could really lead to the big word: death. These include heart attack, stroke and heart disease, cancer, poor immunity, depression and so much more. Whilst it is true that we can never avoid stress completely, we can actually reduce its impact on our health and well-being.

Knowing your stress triggers is a critical aspect of stress management. Whilst stress triggers are different among individuals, here is a list of the most common life issues that stress many people – to the max. Check if some of these are stressing you out too.

Superego

Sometimes, we are our own worst critics. We tend to set limitations to what we can do or what we can achieve because we think some things are not possible. For instance, before you even try something new, your inner critic will predict failure. And if you succeed, it will point out that you could have done better. Being kind to yourself is one great strategy to lessen the effect of stress on your health. Treat yourself like you would treat a good friend.

Work

Long hours in the office and heavy workload can really stress you out to the max. Include your hard-to-please boss, mean workmates, and your prison-like desk. Even those in the high-paying jobs experience stress from work. In fact, stress from work is now the leading reason why many British workers drink and use drugs, according to mental health experts from the charity Mind. In 2010-11, 400,000 people in UK reported that the stress they experience at work is making them ill.

Relationship Conflicts

Being in a romantic relationship may sound like ‘heaven’ for singles. But for those who are currently in a relationship, it is often a roller coaster ride. Even simple arguments could lead to big problems that cause emotional hardships for both partners. If you’re in a romantic relationship, it is important that you and your partner deal with little issues as they arrive because like clutter, they can easily pile up – making it hard for both of you to clean the mess up.

Self-sabotage

Self-sabotage happens when you do the exact opposite of what should have made you happy and successful. For instance, you know you should be working but you chose to spend hours playing Candy Crush or surfing the web. You know you shouldn’t eat unhealthy foods but you did anyway. You know you need to rest but you continued finishing your paperwork, even if you haven’t slept for days.

Poor Nutrition

What you eat could be affecting your stress levels. Refined sugar is among the most stressful foods because they cause poor concentration, mood swings and irritability. Alcohol is another stress-inducing stuff because it stimulates the release of cortisol in your body, which happens to be a stress hormone. A study by the University of Chicago revealed that drinking alcohol prolongs tension in healthy people when performing stressful tasks.

Finances

Yeah, financial issues could be stressing you out. Before you’ve even got your pay check, you’ve already received your credit card bills, utility bills, etc. Budgeting can be a tough task but it really helps.

Autopilot Thinking

Do you often daydream? Are you bombarded with worries and thoughts that are not related to the task at hand? If yes, you must be under an autopilot mental mode. Medical research suggests that the constant churning of the mind that occurs when a person is not consciously engaged in a task is linked to Default Mode Network (DMN). DMN generates a steady stream of thoughts that cause spontaneous body tension, which prevents you from relaxing.

Responsibilities

Every one of us has our own responsibilities at home, in school, or at work that need to be fulfilled. But they can feel overwhelming at times. It is important that you give yourself time to unplug and recharge your batteries. Every day, schedule yourself a “me time” at least 30 minutes to an hour where you will do nothing but relax. When you have longer free time, engage in activities you enjoy doing. This will loosen you up a bit from this sometimes a so-demanding world.

Inner Passivity

Inner passivity occurs when you experience self-generated problems as if they are caused by external factors, rather than something you are doing to yourself and therefore you can control. Inner passivity could cause great helplessness and stress. If you think you’re having such kind of issue, it could be helpful to seek advice from a professional therapist.

Pessimism

Your perception has a huge effect on your stress levels. The more you take things negatively, the more they impact your health and well-being. Cultivating a positive mind is essential to dealing with stress. It serves as a shield that makes it difficult for the effects of stress to get through you.