The Biggest Causes of Stress
The Top Ten

The biggest causes of stress in today’s modern world are more than likely ones that have caused the most stress for many, many years.

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However there are a few new ones which are probably more associated with the times we live in.

Stress and anxiety are on the increase and although we all need a little stress in our lives to keep it exciting and interesting too much can cause both mental and physical illness if left unmanaged.

Before we list the top ten biggest causes of stress, why not tell us what stresses you the most and if and how you cope with it. Your answers will help others cope with similar stresses in their lives.

SO WHAT STRESSES YOU?

The Top Ten Biggest Causes of Stress

Financial worries – This is probably one of the biggest causes of stress for everyone at the moment. Although generations have always worried about earning enough to look after their families etc. the modern world has pushed this issue even further up the tree of a cause for anxiety. Debt, cost of living, world economies in crisis and more demands on our finances have all caused money to be a major cause of stress in our lives.

Tips

Managed your money and avoid too much debt.
Set up a monthly budget and stick to it.
Keep credit card use to the minimum
Spend only what you can afford

Moving Home – Whether buying a house for the first time or simply moving home there is no easy way to do it without causing major stress and worry. It can take months of negations and expense to secure your home and then when you finally get the keys, you have all the anxieties of the actual move and all that this brings.

Tips

Do as much planning ahead as possible. List all possible eventualities and make contingency plans to ease any problems.
Make sure you can afford your new home, do your sums and seek advice from as many people as possible before you take the final plunge.

Personal relationships – We all need other people in our lives and family life can be very rewarding. However there are times where family and personal relationships can be a major source of stress. Such as:

Divorce,
Marriage problems,
Violent partners,
Disruptive children
Parent breakups

Tips

When family or relationship problems become a source of stress there is only one main course of action which will help resolve the situations and that is to talk and communicate with each other as much as possible. It really is good to talk.
Health issues – Long tern or serious illness can strike at any time during our lives and it will naturally cause us even more concern and anxiety. However at these times more than any other it is vital that stress is managed so that it does not exasperate the health issues even further.
Practice relaxation methods every day for at least 30 minutes.
Make time for yourself and find ways to distract your thoughts away from your health issues. Hobbies and socialising should be high on your list.

Bereavement – we will all suffer this at one time or another in our lives and it certainly will always have an effect on regardless of who you are or your circumstances. You can never fully prepare yourself for this eventuality but when it does happen it is very important that you take care of yourself throughout this time.

Tips

Look after your physical well being by eating well and getting enough sleep.
Allow yourself time to grieve and do not bury emotion
Express your feelings to others, don’t keep things inside.

Workplace stress – This is possibly number one on many people’s list of the biggest causes of stress. There are many causes of stress at work such as:

Loss of a job
Too much work and not enough time
Too little work and challenge
Conflicts with co workers or with bosses

Tips

A problem aired is a problem shared. If you don’t discuss your work problems with someone at work then a solution will never be found. Often constructive conversations with others can find ways particular stresses at work.

Work Life balance – Perhaps this is a problem which is becoming part of the norm for many people and causing stress within family life. Many find that they have to work long hours or even hold down two jobs to earn enough money. This means that they have little time for themselves or their families.

Tip

Always make time for yourself to relax, even if it is for only ten minutes here and there.
Prioritise what is important to you and remember that a workaholic needs some fun too.

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Environment Issues – Your physical space and where you are every day can also be one of the biggest causes of stress in our lives. Things such as:

Noise pollution
Restricted space (on the train to work or in the office)
Concerns over world environmental issues such as climate change

Can all become stressors in our lives even if we don’t realise it.

Tips

Do what you can to reduce these things but also realise that worrying will only cause you more harm in the long run. Stay positive and be proactive where you can.

Life dissatisfaction – This is a cause for stress that we have created for ourselves or at least society has. Advertising has created a world where our expectations are much higher than they ever were. We should all be rich and successfully and famous right? But of course this is and can never be true and for many this causes them to lead a life where they feel like under achievers and dissatisfied with their lot.

Tip

Learn to lead a simpler more natural lifestyle. Perhaps do some volunteer work and see the flip side of the consumerist coin.

Personal appearance. – Another of the biggest causes of stress in today's modern world. How we look and what others think of us has become a source of stress to many and women more so than any other group feel this pressure.

Weight issues and plastic surgery are constantly in the news as many try to be as thin or as beautiful as possible.

Tips