When there is mention of the prime health concern in America, immediately many think of AIDS, cancer, and other debilitating illnesses. On the contrary, medical publications and physicians claim stress as the biggest concern. Although stress is not as serious as an illness that can potentially rob us of life, stress may increase the risk of certain diseases. It has been proven that stress is directly related to heart disease and cancer. Each year millions visit physicians complaining of pain and unexplained illnesses. In many cases, physicians mark stress as the culprit once test show no significant findings.
What is Stress?
Stress can be defined as “physical, chemical, or emotional factors that cause bodily or mental tension.” Stress affects everyone in a different way. There are people who have difficulty sleeping, whereas others may experience widespread pain. Irritability, stomach problems, and chest pains may also be related to stress. In most cases, symptoms disappear once stressful situations are resolved. Unfortunately some people are faced with unending stress, thus they suffer long term problems. Challenging situations are common. These may include starting a new job or being under a tight deadline for completing a task. This sort of stress is harmless. In fact, some perform better when under pressure.
Financial Hardships
Financial problems are a major cause for stress. The cost of living has increased enormously in recent years. It many regions, dual incomes are required in order to make a basis living. Adults must juggle working a full-time job, caring for children, and taking care of a house. Often times, a full-time job is not enough to provide for a family. This forces many parents to seek a second job. Parents in this situation are unable to spend quality time with their families; and are usually too tired to enjoy their family when home.
On the Job Stress
Employment is also a source of stress. Millions of people have jobs they dislike. They must also deal with demanding employers who are unappreciative. Hectic schedules and workloads result in many taking mental health days in order to maintain their sanity. On the job stress is hard to manage because the employee must deal with it on a daily basis. Changing employment is not always an option. Individuals may specialize in jobs that are rarely available, or they may be earning a generous salary. Employees in this situation choose to endure mental abuse because of seemingly job security. On the other hand, there are some people who are always looking for better employment. Regardless of education or level of profession, it is becoming difficult for many to find employment. These individuals are forced to work for inadequate pay that barely covers the cost of a simple living.
Children Under Pressure
Adults are not the only ones under stress. Psychologist and pediatricians have stated that children and young adults also experience a great deal of stress. Divorce is common. In fact, 1 in 2 marriages will end in divorce. The children born to these couples must live through the bickering and the separation. Custody battles and child support hearings can be emotionally draining for children. Divorce generally leads to single parent households. This particular living situation comes with a plethora of stresses. Single parents play the role of two parents. The life of a single parent is filled with many pressures as they find themselves always on the go. Children are the ones who suffer because parents may not be able to devote a lot of quality time.
Coping with Stress
To cope with stress many rely on alcohol, drugs, and sex. However, the euphoric mood that these provide is short lived. Instead of settling on a temporary fix, individuals plagued by stress should seek permanent solutions. It is common for individual under stress and anxiety to visit a physician for a prescription of anti-depressants. There is nothing wrong with mood inhibitors, nonetheless, prior to taking anti-depressants patients should try and manage stress naturally. Anti-depressants are great for calming the body and mind, but they will not eliminate the cause of stress.
The simple solution to coping with job stress is finding new employment. However before putting in a two weeks notice, it may help to meet with supervisors and discuss the problem. Reducing the amount of hours worked or decreasing responsibilities can make a world of difference. Employers may even consider hiring a part-time worker to assists with stated job description. The biggest mistake that many make is not expressing their concerns. If speaking with employer proves ineffective, and stress does not improve, it may be wise to change employers.
Avoid Creating Hardships
Financial problems are never planned. However, it is important to avoid creating financial hardships. Individuals who do not know how to budget money, or who do not understand the proper use of credit, may be burdened by debt. These problems are common among young people – but they also affect adults. Those who discover that it is difficult to make ends meet should create a spending plan. This spending plan should include their monthly income and monthly expenses. Recording this information on paper is effective when determining where we are spending our money. Many who create a spending plan discover that they make enough money to cover all their expenses. However, they also spend a large portion of their income on non-essentials.
Credits cards also create a huge financial burden. Those who do not understand credit pay for everything with credit cards. Ideally, credit cards are for emergencies. Sadly, many become enslaved to these seemingly magic cards. Years of credit abuse leave some thousands of dollars in debt.
Ways to Reduce Stress
There are ways to cope with everyday stressful situations. It is amazing how rest, diet, and exercise can affect our mood. Physicians recommend proper rest and regular exercise for reducing stress. Adults require seven to nine hours of sleep each day; however many adults only sleep between four and six hours. Proper rest increases our mental function and alertness which makes it easier to handle stressful situations. Enjoying time with family, friends, and self are great ways to reduce stress. Sharing a meal or a laugh with loved ones relieves tension and helps us forget our worries. It is also important to take time for self. Keeping our feelings bottled up can make us physically ill. Thus, when undergoing stress, it is wise to discuss the problem. Even if the situation cannot be easily resolved, talking with a trust friend or spouse can help when feeling weighted down.