Stress on 'Stress' (Cause and Effect Essay)

What I have learned from stressors . . .

      S t r e s s  is a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense. It is a difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension. In today’s world, people experience stress almost every minute of their lives, whether slight or intense. There is a wide range of causes of stress, from personal life issues to global concerns. I am a down-to-earth person with a normal life, who is still under pressure, especially in these times of rapid change, challenge and hardship. There are three potential causes of stress in my daily life - social, physical and psychological strains.

    Relationship, financial and technological strains are social causes that seem to be the first few dominoes of a stress chain affecting my daily life. Having a relationship with a spouse whose age, lifestyle, language, culture and attitudes toward a marriage are different trigger a great deal of stress. Admittedly, some studies have found couples who have arguments and fights tend to have stronger and healthier marriages; however, hard I have tried to fight fairly, to compromise and to make improvements, I cannot help freaking out and regarding such strains as destructive. Experiencing tight money situations also leads to stress and arguments. It is never easy to start a marriage with only one full-time salary. Many bills have to be paid off every paycheck, and food supplies have to be brought home every two weeks, resulting in the need to tighten our belts. Some months, the money is so tight that we can barely afford other essentials. This makes me more tense. What’s more, a series of the next wave of technology from time to time makes me feel nervous, seeing myself lag behind the IT world. And by extension, flooded by a lot of information, I feel overwhelmed and distrustful. Such advances really make me a world straggler.

    Some physical strains as well affect my routines. Owing to some annoying chronic illnesses and difficulties, I cannot complete some household chores, workout programs or even meet assignment deadlines. 

      Not only are those social and physical causes stressing me out, but some psychological ones do also. Worry is the most potential stressor. I am a sort of worry wart, and in consequence of too much focusing on myself, I feel anxious and depressed. This arises out of dwelling too much on life events: a new home, a job, further studies, even situations here and now. 

     For all of that, what I have learned from these stressors is that stress is always there and most likely escalating. For this reason, the risk of unhealthy living and dying young has dramatically increased, as experts refer to stress as the “silent killer.” The bottom line is that it is not the event which is stressful, but how we view and respond to the event that matters. So, modifying negative self-statements and choosing our attitudes toward the stressors in our lives is first and foremost how to deal with stress effectively.