Identifying the Causes of Stress

Aches, fatigue, irritability, insomnia. These are all physical side effects of stress and may be the first indication that you're stretched too thin. You can possibly stop these symptoms in their tracks or prevent them altogether by understanding what causes stress in your life.

Assess Your Work Life

A major stressor for many people is their job. Feeling overworked and underpaid is too often the norm. Consider what work influences may be contributing to your stress. Are you working too many hours? Is your commute taking a toll? Is the worry of job loss keeping you awake at night? By understanding what work factors are influencing your mental health, you can work to remedy them.

Examine Your Home Life

Any range of personal circumstances can lead to stress, from the loss of a loved one to family conflict, a sick relative or a struggling child. But there are also less obvious stressors like relocating or welcoming a new baby that, while joyful, can cause added pressure all the same. Sometimes people believe they shouldn't be sad or overwhelmed by happy situations, but change is rarely easy or without challenges.

Revisit Your Budget

Financial woes are often a source of stress, even without major challenges like job loss. More benign changes in financial state, like raise freezes, salary cuts and cost increases, can all contribute to worry that takes a toll on your peace of mind. In times of economic uncertainty or personal change, revisiting your budget to see how it can more closely align with the financial realities in your life is often a good idea.

Consider Your Physical Health

Diet and exercise may affect your state of mind as well as your health. You may think that eating sweets or overindulging with other foods can help relieve stress, but they could actually hinder your optimal physical and mental health. Similarly, lack of exercise may also affect your well-being. A healthy dose of exercise can provide time to clear your head, a physical release for mental stress, and a healthy dose of perspective.

Know When to See a Physician

Not all stress is something you can manage with a simple change in diet or a cutback in work hours. Depression is a very real concern that you shouldn't overlook. If you can't seem to shake the blues, consult your doctor about medical options for managing your stress.