University of Washington, did a study on the connection between
significant life events and illness. As part of that study, they
compiled a chart of the major causes of stress. That chart,
which contained 43 causes of stress in 1967, was updated to 55
causes in 2006. Apparently, society is finding more causes to
feel stressed.
If you knew the leading causes of stress in your life, would
you take action to eradicate them? Can you eradicate stress – or
is it an inoperable condition that will be with you all of your
life, possibly causing your eventual death?
Which Is Your Leading Cause of Stress?
1. Finances
Most studies agree that finances are a leading cause of stress.
In an online poll conducted in 2005 by LifeCare, Inc., 23
percent of respondents named finances as the leading cause of
stress in their lives. Financial stress has led the list in many
modern polls.
Some who name finances as the leading cause of stress cite
major purchases they have to make, such as a home or car. Others
are stressed by a loss of income, or mounting credit card debt.
For some, financial stress will eventuate in bankruptcy. While
college students stress over paying for an education, Baby
Boomers and older senior citizens find that retirement income
can be a major cause of stress.
2. Work
Closely tied to finances as a cause of stress is work. Our jobs
or careers seem to cause constant stress. In the LifeCare poll,
21 percent of those responding listed this as the leading cause
of stress in life.
How is the workplace a cause of stress? We worry about getting
and keeping adequate employment. We worry about new types of
work or new responsibilities. We struggle to climb a career
ladder, overwhelmed by the demands. Work conditions may change,
or we may have interpersonal trouble at work. Students,
especially teenagers and college age students, cite school work
as a cause of stress. Sometimes, work stress is brought on by
others. Sometimes, we bring it on ourselves.
3. Family
Family, wonderful though each member may be, is also a leading
cause of stress. Arguments erupt with a spouse or other family
member. Parents divorce. Children marry. The ebb and flow of
family life is filled with stress. A child moves out – an aging
parent moves in.
Family health is also a leading cause of stress. A sick family
member, a serious injury, pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion
all cause stress. Family changes of other kinds bring stress,
too. Adoption, relocation, and job changes for just one family
member can cause stress for all.
4. Personal Concerns
Personal concerns that are only indirectly created by others
are another top cause of stress. Lack of control tops the list
of personal concerns. Every human has a deep-seated desire for
control over his or her own life. When control is weak or
missing in a given area, we experience stress. To many people, a
lack of control over their own time is a leading cause of
stress. We want to determine when we do tasks around the home,
or at work. Holding a job, participating in the children's
carpool to school, driving family to soccer practices, shopping,
and scout meetings while trying to keep the household running
can create major stress. You would like to control your time,
rather than let others' demands control it, but that is not
always possible.
We may be involved in legal proceedings that cause stress. We
may be wrestling with a bad habit. We may be going through
changes. Personal change of any kind can be a cause of stress.
5. Personal Health and Safety
Most people find that personal health is a leading cause of
stress. For some, the stress is linked to obesity, and a desire
to lose weight. For others, the stress is a personal bas habit
that affects health and must be changed. For example, smoking,
abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Illness or injury, whether less
or more serious, can be a leading cause of stress for many
people. Incontinence can be an ongoing concern. Personal health
is more or less stressful according to the degree of seriousness
and our personal outlook on health.
Personal safety is also a leading cause of stress. Women, more
than men, tend to stress about their own and others' safety.
Adults tend to stress more than young people, who may act
invincible. Crime is a factor, as is
6. Personal Relationships
Whether it is a friendship, dating, separation, marriage,
divorce, or re-marriage, a relationship can be a leading cause
of stress for many. We all want love, and that is potentially
available in relationships, but getting from A to B can be very
stressful. Some resort to online relationships that are easier
to handle. Others withdraw and become recluses. Either way, the
demands on time, finances, and emotions can cause ongoing
stress.
7. Death
Probably the most wrenching cause of stress is the death of a
loved one or close friend. Even the death of a pet can be
stressful. Children are always a source of stress for parents,
but when a child dies, the stress is overwhelming. The same is
true when a lifetime spouse passes on.
Win or Lose
Causes of stress change as we age. The stressed child who threw
tantrums becomes a young student, stressed by the school bully.
The young student becomes a teenager, stressed by acne,
hormones, and dating. The teenager becomes a young adult trying
to handle the stresses of leaving home, adjusting to college
life, and managing finances. Life progresses to first jobs,
marriage, children, and so on. Even if you move to a secluded
cabin in the woods, stress will follow you.
Gaining knowledge of the leading causes of stress is important.
Using that knowledge to win over unhealthy stress is vital.
About The Author: ©2007, Anna Hart. Anna brings to her writing
her professional training and expertise as an educator. When she
writes at http://www.stressma
cause of stress, she does so from well-conducted research. Anna
invites you to read more on her blog about the causes of family
stress.
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