Top Sources of Stress and How to Deal with Them

I think the majority of people would probably find it enlightening, if not at least quite surprising, that stress is most often caused by the internal pressure we put on ourselves than by external circumstances.

Ask around about what stresses people, and they’re most likely to talk about deadlines, or that work is too much, or that the family schedule is overpacked and out of control. Yet while this definitely can add to the pressure cooker of life, they actually aren’t the most significant cause.

Most at fault are the tremendous pressures we put on ourselves internally, including the amount of anxiety created internally through any of the below:

 

1. Self-criticism. Tame your inner critic, focus on your strengths, and forgive yourself.
2. Do your best but let the elusive “perfect” go.
3. Faith and action are the best antidotes to worry, especially about situations we cannot control.
4. Commonly included are fear of failure, fear of public speaking, all sorts of internal fears that we carry inside.
5. Our Beliefs. These might be expectations, opinions, or attitudes. Without realizing it, you may not even think about how your own beliefs shape your experience, but these thoughts, often pre-set, are the perfect setup for stress. Think about all the expectations you put on yourself, especially, for example, creating an ideal holiday extravaganza or on your career advancement plan.
6. Lack of control and uncertainty. Only a few people really enjoy not knowing the next phase in life or not being in control of anything.
7. Financial Stress. A condition that results from financial or economic events that create anxiety, worry, or a sense of scarcity is accompanied by a physiological stress response. Chronic Financial Stress is the most typical intersection where financial and physical health mutually impact.
8. Heath issues. In the presence of illness, think about how you might react when waiting for the results of a medical test.
9. Balancing career and family. Most of us, I imagine, want the best of both worlds; a successful, thriving career and a happy, connected family. The notion of “we can have it all” tends to put a lot of pressure as we strive to create the perfect balance, pushing us to our limits and putting all our efforts in pleasing and appeasing, leaving you mentally and emotionally drained.
10. Family dynamics. Family conflicts can cause increased stress. Increasingly, research demonstrates that negative family relationships can lead to significant stress, impact mental health, and, given enough time, cause physical symptoms to manifest. Other research has shown that family members who are non-supportive often lead another family member with mental health illness to suffer worsening than usual effects.
11. Workplace conflicts. Work-related stress is a growing problem worldwide that affects the health and well-being of employees and the productivity of organizations. Work-related stress surfaces where work demands of various types and combinations exceed the person’s capacity and capability to cope.

 

Dealing with our Internal Stress

It is best to focus on what we can control when it comes to coping with stress. That means targeting our internal stressors to lower their impact on any external stressors happening in our lives.

When we reduce the way by managing internal stressors, we have to realize this is not an easy process, but here are some stress-relieving strategies that can help:

• Focus on the solution rather than the problem at hand: Focusing on how impossible a problem is at the time will make you feel worse almost every single time. Rather, try to concentrate on solutions to the problem instead of the challenges themselves.
• Stay in a positive state of mind: The more negative thinking you do inside your head, the more negative everything suddenly appears to be. It is essential to understand how we perceive the world around us that dictates how we feel. Studies have demonstrated that the power of positive thinking in stressful situations is incredibly beneficial.
• Look into stress relief: Several stress-relieving activities will help reduce the intensity of stress. Try to get creative with writing it out, painting, listening to music, cooking, baking, DIY project, and self-improvement Apps such as MoodSpace, pocket yoga, Calm, and Headspace, to name a few.
• Consider tai chi, meditation, or yoga: Many different approaches can teach you relaxation techniques and skills related to body awareness. These disciplines can help you get your stress levels under control given enough practice.

 

Final Thoughts

No matter the cause of your stress, deciding to act is the first step on your way to living a happier, healthier, and better life. If you do anything at this moment, do not just sit there and suffer in silence.

 

Some information adapted from Mayo Clinic.