What Causes Stress?

Stress can be defined as the automatic, physiological response to any physical or emotional situation that mobilizes the body for quick action. Stress is when we feel a large weight on our shoulders, pressured, worried, nervous and agitated. Stress is a part of our everyday lives and there isn't a person in the world who can run from it. Stress may arise from a one-time event or involve a chronic, long-term response. 
What causes stress we ask? Many of us may reply by saying: "What doesn't cause stress?" In the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life, many of us encounter stress to the point of being overwhelmed and exhausted by it.

The causes and effects of stress can vary by individual. What may be a stressor for me, may not be a stressor for you. It is important that we all become aware of our own "stress limits," and do what we can to keep stress at a minimum.
Some people are more flexible in handling stress and seem to take things in stride, while others may become overwhelmed by the slightest change in their daily routine. One thing that is certain, is that when stress is unmanaged it can have a detrimental affect upon our health, AND our emotional well-being.
Stress can be caused by a number of things, such as: financial difficulties, physical changes in our bodies such as pregnancy or disease, or any life changing event that you or I, may or may not have control over.
A number of situations and scenarios can cause stress in our lives.

When doses of stress are small, it can help us rise to the occasion of meeting challenges. But beyond a certain point, stress can cause disruptions in our relationships, mood and in the quality of our life. It is a known fact, that chronic stress can cause a rise in blood pressure, heart rate and may weaken the immune system. Other detriments to our health from stress may include: depression, sleep problems, digestion problems, and the possibility of having a heart attack.

Although rarely considered, stress can be categorized as internal and/or external.

Internal stressors are sparked by what we feel internally, such as (a) poor self image, negative self-talk, and clashes in our faith, and belief systems.

External stressors, on the other hand - are things that happen in our environment, that we may or may not have control over. Career changes, divorce, the loss of a loved one; injury or illness, can all be classified as an "external stressor."

There are many ways in which we can counteract stress in our lives, and increase our resilience. Some of these ways include:

- Remaining positive, in spite of bad times

- Allowing yourself to become focused on worthwhile things

- And first and foremost, "BEING FLEXIBLE!"

It is important to recognize when our levels of stress are out of control, and reaching a level that could be considered as "an overload of stress." But being able to identify our stressors and adjusting our attitude and reaction to stress, is one of the most beneficial ways of reducing its effect upon our life.