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March 16, 2008
Why Are We So Stressed Out?
We are living in very difficult times and things just are not getting any easier. There are times when life seems terribly unfair, even painful, yet we manage to get by day after day and we hope and pray that things will get better soon.
Each day the world is turning into a crazier place to live, and of course people are becoming more stressed. It seems that nothing is safe anymore. People are deep in debt; many are losing their jobs, homes, health, and their sanity. Depression, worry and anxiety set in and become a way of life for so many.
In 2002, Time magazine featured a story proclaiming that we have entered the "Age of Anxiety". Due to the uncertainties and constant stress of living in the 21st century many people are living a life of worry and fear.
Between all the news stations and newspapers we are bombarded with many images and stories that are beyond disturbing. Another stressor is the economy. With the outrageous housing costs, soaring gas prices and the cost of living, people are forced to work at jobs that are tedious and unsatisfying. Simply bringing home a paycheck is more important than trying to get the career of your dreams.
Women tend to contribute to their stress levels by trying to be all things to everyone. For example, they are required to be daughter, sibling, wife, mom, housekeeper and paycheck earner. They forget to make time for themselves and then their stress levels skyrocket.
For children and teenagers they have to contend with peer pressure. For teenagers wanting to go to college, if they aren't smart enough to get a scholarship, they will probably need to obtain a part-time job so that they can earn some extra money to pay for what their parents can't.
We are always on the go and always reachable, there's the Internet, cell phones, i-pods, palm pilots etc. We don't make time to relax and enjoy life anymore. Why not? We certainly should!
Sometimes the things we do aren't because we WANT to but because we HAVE to. Rather than saying "No" once in a while, unnecessary obligations and expectations pile up and make us feel anxious.
Additional causes of stress can include, relationship problems, traveling, buying property, managing finances, exams, being bullied, having guests stay over (in-laws!), etc.
Stress is a "normal" function of everyday life. Only when it appears to take over our lives does it then become a problem. Usually if you feel that you are no longer in control of a situation you will feel worried or "stressed".
If being stressed is caused by not feeling in control of a situation, the answer is to try and reverse the feeling and regain your control. The good news is: YOU CAN!
Posted by personalhealthnews at March 16, 2008 09:43 PM
