10 reasons you might feel stressed out

April is known as our National Stress Month and what better topic to cover this month than stress! According to the Global Organization for Stress, 75% of Americans report struggling with moderate to severe stress levels in the past 30 days. In other words 3 out of 4 people are living their lives in incredible amounts of stress. 

Now, stress is necessary for our overall wellness. There are responsibilities that we need to take care of. Stress helps us grow, mature and to develop skills and strengths that we didn’t know we have. There’s also “eustress”, which is the stress that comes with doing something pleasurable. For example, planning a vacation has a pleasant reward but the planning itself can bring some stress. You see? It’s not all that bad! It becomes bad when it is unmanageable. Let’s dive into what causes stress and later on learn ways that we can manage it. 

Here are 10 of the most common cases of stress: 

1. Having high expectations for yourself: Many times we expect more from ourselves than others and feel like we have to meet the constant demands of life without enough resources
2. Assuming too many responsibilities and commitments: It’s ok to say no to every baby shower, birthday party or favors from others. Pace yourself and learn to rest
3. Working overtime frequently: Research has found that working over 45 hours a week on a constant basis can be detrimental to our health
4. Having little to no control over a particular situation: Yes, life happens and we cannot control every factor. However, we are able to control our perspective and thoughts concerning a specific situation
5. Big life changes (even if they are good ones, such as a new marriage or becoming a new parent): Even though these changes bring joy, they also bring responsibilities that can be stressful
6. Financial issues: We all need money to live but we don’t have to be a slave to it
7. Injury and illness: Unexpected illness and injury can decrease our productivity, which then can lead to additional stressors
8. Having no fun activities outside of school or work: Sometimes we focus so much on being productive that we forget how to be kids again and just learn to play
9. General household responsibilities: I get this, nothing stresses me our more than getting home to a sink full of dishes.
10. Parenting responsibilities: Our children can be blessings but let’s be honest; they require a lot of work

Does this mean that if you are experiencing any of the things listed above you have to be under constant stress?

Not at all. This list just reflects a normal life! These situations become stressful when we feel like we have to meet the ever increasing demands and do not have sufficient resources to do so. Oftentimes stress comes as a result of the situation we encounter ourselves in but also the perspective we assume towards that situation.

Sometimes the way to deal with stress will be by changing your situation but other times it’s a matter of finding ways to cope and changing your perspective about the stressor. What I know is that you don’t have to be caught up in the cycle of stress on a daily basis. Learn to enjoy life as well!

Stay tuned next week as I write about signs and symptoms that you might be stressed out. You don’t have to live under the constant weight of responsibilities. Need help with managing your stress? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Feel free to use our self-scheduling tool as well! We are here to help.