7 Common Causes of Stress and How to Avoid Them featured image

7 Common Causes of Stress and How to Avoid Them

Stress is a common part of our life. It can come either from a hectic job, chaotic family life, or maybe something else. Sometimes, stress motivates you to do better than you’re currently doing in life. More specifically, it helps you aim for certain goals. However, if stress goes unmanaged and it becomes long-term, then it can cause serious health issues. It can also interfere with your job and your family. Moreover, it can lead to depression, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, etc. Broadly speaking, the causes of stress are outside forces or insidious problems sneaking into your life turning it upside down. Here are some common causes of stress and how you can avoid them.

Handling too many things at once

handling too many things at once

Handling too many things at once.

Your life is full of work and nothing else. You probably want to finish it quickly, but it is impossible to do so. One of the most common causes of stress is trying to handle all of these things at once. When this kind of working pressure becomes a part of your daily life, then you are likely to suffer from stress.

You can avoid this by living each minute as it comes and doing one task at a time. You can start by clearing your desk of distractions, not by handling all the tasks but by completing one of them at a time. It is easy to get the urge to do other things in between one task, but with practice, you will get used to it.

Lack of Self-Confidence

lack of self confidence

Lack of Self-Confidence.

Did you know that being too conscious of your personal appearance can lead to stress? Well if you didn’t, now you know. Worrying about wrinkles, spots on your skin, or any other part of your body that you think is imperfect can have a negative effect on how you view yourself—it can cause self-esteem issues.

To overcome this type of stress, you need to start by accepting yourself and acknowledging that no one in this world is perfect. Then, work on the part of you that you feel you need to improve. For example, if you are having a problem with your weight, you can start exercising or doing yoga. Take a simple step for a start, and you will feel more comfortable as you gradually improve.

Procrastination

Procrastinating

Image Credit: Lawyers With Depression

Procrastination is common to all people but for different reasons. You postpone doing something when you are feeling too overwhelmed or something more important and urgent comes up. While procrastination is common, if you do it too much, it is going to be one of the causes of stress.

The best way to avoid procrastination is to plan your time well and stick to it. Start working on any assignment immediately after you get it. Even if another one presents itself before you finish the first one, you will have cleared a significant part of it.

Abusive Relationships and Over Demanding Jobs

big boss is angry at the bad employee

Over Demanding Jobs. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Sometimes the things that are supposed to make you happy can be the causes of stress. For example, you may be in an abusive relationship where you have no freedom or you might have an abusive boss who doesn’t appreciate you no matter how good your performance is.

If these are the sources of stress in your life, then walking away would be the best thing to do. It is better for you to quit a stressful job or relationship that doesn’t support you and your career.

Lack of Exercise

walking with co workers

Go for a walk with your fellow employee. Image Credit: Business Healthy

If you are working yourself hard and you never get time to relax, then both your mind and your body get tired and they easily shut down. Spare some time from your busy schedule for exercise.

You can go to the gym or go for a run/walk in your neighborhood. If taking some time off would help you release stress, why not right?

Unrealistic Expectations

Quote from Shakespeare about expectation.

Image Credit: Short Status Quotes

Expecting too much from people can lead to stress. Train yourself to understand that people are imperfect and they are likely to let you down from time to time.

Once you accept the fact that not everyone can live up to your expectation, you will be much more stress-free. You will also learn to have plan B just in case plan does not work out as well as you thought it would.

Health Issues

You are likely to be stressed all the time if you’re suffering from certain illnesses such as chronic pain. It is ironic that this stress can also lead to serious health issues.

To overcome stress brought by illnesses, you should talk to your doctor for help and adopt a healthy lifestyle. There is always a way to manage the disease even if it has no cure.

There you go, 7 causes of stress and how you can avoid them. Whether you are suffering from long-term or short-term stress, your body will react, and you will note these changes. Try stress management. It will definitely help you deal with these causes of stress.