Identify What Is Causing Your Stress

What is causing your stress?

Wherever you go, there you are. You can’t outrun yourself, your mind, or your problems and challenges.  Believe me, I’ve tried and wore out my sneakers! You may “get ahead” of the challenges, but they inevitably catch up with you.  Herein lies the importance of facing your anxieties and other challenges head on. 

The first step is admitting there is an issue.  The next is determining the source of the issue.  Until you take this courageous step, all of the stress-reduction techniques in the world will be of little to no value.

What Is Causing Your Stress?
Some Basics

I think it's important to learn as much as possible about stress. I know that sounds counterproductive when we're trying to manage stress, but it's important to understand what we're dealing with. After all, stress comes from a perception of an event, person, feeling, etc. being out of our control. So, what better way to regain that sense of control than to learn more about stress.

Your stress may be caused by a work colleague. Perhaps they are lagging behind in their work, and it is bringing your whole team down.  The first step is to help the lagging member with his or her work. This gives everyone some breathing room. Next, show them ways to get work done faster, so it doesn’t happen again in the future = the solution. 

Not addressing any issue will most likely make the situation worse and, in turn, make your stress levels sky rocket.  Small situations often grow to be larger problems. 

Think of this along the same lines as home repairs that are being “pushed aside.”  This is often referred to as “deferred maintenance.” If you avoid confronting that small drip from your ceiling, a symptom of a leaking roof, the damage will spread until the entire ceiling crashes down on your living room floor.  

From the above scenarios, you would have dealt with the actual cause of the stress points.

But what about meditation and exercise? Sure, you could try meditating and engaging in vigorous physical activity. It’s a step in the right direction, but they wouldn’t do much in rendering a solution. These will help you reduce your stress to some degree. But only the symptoms. They can help you relax, which can get you to think about solutions to the problem. The techniques can also help to lower your blood pressure and heart rate. When you are calmer, you can find solutions more quickly than when you are harried and stressed out.

Only by identifying the cause of the stress and taking actions based on that, would you be able to eliminate or significantly reduce the stress.

One last thought, if you are feeling overwhelmed and confused in terms of addressing and fixing things, why not try professional hypnotherapy?  There is no shame in doing so!

Here’s to solutions… and ruining fewer sneakers.


What Is Causing Your Stress?
How Do You Respond to Stress?

It's important to learn how to recognize when your stress levels are out of control. The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feel familiar, even normal. You don't notice how much it's affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll.


The signs and symptoms of stress overload can be almost anything. Stress affects the mind, body, and behavior in many ways, and everyone experiences stress differently. Not only can overwhelming stress lead to serious mental and physical health problems, it can also take a toll on your relationships at home, work, and school.


What Is Causing Your Stress?
Stress Doesn't Always Look Stressful

Psychologist Connie Lillas uses a driving analogy to describe the three most common ways people respond when they’re overwhelmed by stress:


    •    Foot on the gas – An angry, agitated, or “fight” stress response. You’re heated, keyed up, overly emotional, and unable to sit still.
    •    Foot on the brake – A withdrawn, depressed, or “flight” stress response. You shut down, pull away, space out, and show very little energy or emotion.
    •    Foot on both – A tense or “freeze” stress response. You become frozen under pressure and can’t do anything. You look paralyzed, but under the surface you’re extremely agitated.


What Is Causing Your Stress?
Signs & Symptoms of Stress Overload

Cognitive Symptoms
    •    Memory problems
    •    Inability to concentrate
    •    Poor judgment
    •    Seeing only the negative
    •    Anxious or racing thoughts
    •    Constant worrying

Emotional Symptoms
    •    Moodiness
    •    Irritability or short temper
    •    Agitation, inability to relax
    •    Feeling overwhelmed
    •    Sense of loneliness and isolation
    •    Depression or general unhappiness


Physical Symptoms
    •    Aches and pains
    •    Diarrhea or constipation
    •    Nausea, dizziness
    •    Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
    •    Loss of sex drive
    •    Frequent colds


Behavioral Symptoms 

  • Eating more or less
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Isolating yourself
  • Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
  • Using alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs to relax
  • Nervous habits (eg: nail biting, pacing, etc.)

What Is Causing Your Stress and More Handy Things to Know About Stress