Stress comes in many forms. One day it takes the shape of financial burdens, the next it can slip in the door as quickly as an unexpected argument with a friend of loved one. Sometimes it builds up, gradually turning something small into a mountain. Othertimes is enters with the speed of light, suddenly adding tension to your otherwise stable life.
There are endless varieties of stress to be found. More than likely stress will seek you out at some point in your life, sometimes we bring it on ourselves. Stress is an inevitable part of life. What one considers a stressor is as individual as the way we each react to and handle stress. There is no cure all, erase all stress formula, to be marketed.
The Many Varieties of Stress
There are many universal forms of stress. Depending on the degree of the effect on a person, most of the accepted forms of stress can be understood by most. Some of the greatest stress triggers include the following:
Illness/Loss of Loved One This is one of the most devastating forms of stress. Sickness can produce a feeling of depression, sadness, and feelings that the situation is out of your control. Some say that time heals, but the stress of sickness or loss is personal, and often serious.
Relationship Troubles Whether it be a dating or marriage relationship, the stress of love can take negative turns at points. Friendships also bring stress at times.
Financial Woes Money can be the source of troubles and stress when we struggle with having enough to provide. Sometimes trying to make more than we need can trigger other stressors too, such as feeling the burnout of keeping up with 60 hour weeks, or mothers that try to balance work and childrearing.
Kids Though my children are my greatest sense of joy, with them comes added stress. The nights spent caring for a sick child, babies that demand 24 hour attention, teenagers that worry us silly.When you have children, stress will take many forms throughout the years. Personally, it is the loss of free time that triggers my stress. The feeling of never having enough hours in the day.
How do you Manage Stress?
Stress is an individual battle that we must all deal with in our own ways. What works for one, won’t necessarily work for another. The same is true for the levels of stress that we can handle. Sometimes I wonder how certain people handle the amazing amount of stress in their lives, and I wonder how I would deal with similar situations. Yet, there is no single formula. Our best defense is to learn to recognize when stress has come to visit us.
Once you can label the source of stress, it’s time to face it. If stress has become the source of negative reactions that are making the situation worse, it’s time to rethink some choices. Stress can lead to further problems and sometimes addictions, severe depression, and complications. For these situations, I strongly recommend getting professional help.
Everyday stress is a part of life, though. For my own mental health, I try to make time for myself. Writing and using the internet are my favorite escapes. Finding small sources of enjoyment can help ease the stress in your life. Worry is often stressful, but most of the things we worry about never come to pass.
Stress can also motivate. Sometimes it can give us the push tha we need to get out of a rut. Without some degress of stress, we might not enjoy the peaceful times in our lives as much.
What stress can also do is lead to physical problems. Recent research has been attempting to show the link between mental/emotional well being and physical. I do believe that stress can make you sick. Managing stress must also make us stronger.
The best defense against letting stress take over your life is to find what makes you happy. It will not eliminate the neverending sources of stress, but it will help you look forward to the next day! And in the words of Scarlett O’Hara, ’yet tomorrow is another day!’ May the grey skies be your sunshine tomorrow!