The biggest causes of stress are.............

This page lists the biggest causes of stress; defines stress; suggests some ways to deal with stress (especially ways to relax); and describes the main causes of stress.

Leading causes of stress:

Stress may be triggered in many ways, of course, from either the inside or outside of an individual or group.

A dictionary definition of stress describes it as, "a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances".

Main causes of stress are likely to arise from circumstances that are impacting on our lives, survival or futures, of course, especially where we feel out of control.

For example, we may encounter causes of job stress such as an unreasonable or vindictive manager or unpleasant boring work or bullying work colleagues or time management problems.

The resulting mental or emotional or physical strain may be exacerbated by feelings of helplessness - there's nothing I can do.

"I am not in control", is one of the biggest causes of stress for many people.

Biggest causes of stress:

A "life stress scale" has been developed that assigns a value to certain stressful life events.

For example:

* death of a spouse - score 100

* divorce - score 73

* death of a close relative - score 63

* personal injury or illness - score 53

* marriage - score 50

* retirement - score 45

* pregnancy - score 40

* sexual problems - score 39

* new family member - score 39

* taking out a large mortgage - score 31

* outstanding personal achievement - score 28

* moving home - score 20

* vacation - score 13

* Christmas - score 12

As a general indicator, 50% of the people who had experienced stressful life circumstances, in the last year, that added up to more than 200, developed health problems.

This increased to almost 80% of people with scores of over 300.

Does this mean that any individual, like you or me, will get ill if they experience stressful life situations, NOT NECESSARILY - each situation and each person creates a unique set of circumstances and the biggest causes of stress may affect individuals differently.

And, each of us has different ways to deal with stress. The best way is to avoid it in the first place if you can but living makes this impossible.

So, we need to learn how to deal with stress and how to relieve stress once we have it (and to be aware of the signs of stress to identify when we've got it).

How to relieve stress:

Click on the link above for knowledge of stress reducers and stress reduction techniques.

One critical thing to do though is to separate out the things you can control in the main causes of stress from those that you cannot and then take positive action on the things you can control.

Here's the key lesson to learn: you may not be able to control the circumstances and people that are the biggest causes of stress and that are external to you but you can control the factors that are internal (potentially at least) - you can control YOU.

You can control how you think about things and your attitude and mindset. You can control the choices you make to deal with stress. You can decide to change your habits or something in the situation that will make a difference.

This is not to pretend that these things may be EASY (although they may be easier than you think), but you are more likely to deal with the biggest causes of stress successfully by working on the things you can control rather than creating "failures" with the things you cannot.

Ways to relax:

One of the things that you can control (when you know how) is your state of relaxation which will act as a stress reducer (and is great for your general health in its own right).

Develop the habit of being able to relax at will with these four ways to relax:

* progressive muscle relaxation

* diaphragmatic breathing

* visualising your inner "sanctuary"

* guided imagery

(click on the link above for more details of how to do this).

The biggest causes of stress are many and may be external or internal. Whatever the cause though, one of the most effect ways to deal with stress is to be proactive with the elements you can control (and that always means you).

The biggest causes of stress may be internal or external. Control what you can which is most likely to be the internal factors.
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