When you head to work or school, there is a good chance that you’re going to be dealing with some level of stress. The truth of the matter is that there are plenty of stressors out there and they’re going to drive you up the wall.
Since stress is pretty much unavoidable, you need to learn how to prevent stressors from taking over your life so you’re not constantly on edge and filled with anxiety.
The first step in the process is to identify exactly what’s stressing you out. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you!
We’ve compiled a list of 13 of the most common stressors we all deal with on a daily basis, as well as tips on how to avoid them.
1. Bills
The truth of the matter is that most people stress out over their bills. They hate to see them arrive in the mailbox and they despise paying them.
It is not entirely possible to avoid all of your bills, but there are some things that you can do to reduce the stress involved. Start by eliminating unnecessary bills. If you’re paying for television, but never watch it, you should think about cutting the cord.
Another option is to sign up for auto-pay. Do this and the company will automatically charge your credit card or bank account. In return, you’ll be able to avoid the stress of paying the bills. Everything will be done for you automatically.
2. Trauma During Childhood
It is true that a lot of people have had a very traumatic childhood. This can definitely take a toll on your mentally and physically in the present.
Just remember that your childhood is in the past. You should not allow this to haunt you in the present.
The good news is that there are some things you can do to avoid the stress of a traumatic childhood. Speaking with a counselor is highly recommended. Once you’re able to overcome your past trauma, you’ll be able to avoid the stress now.
3. Job Issues
Pretty much everyone is going to run into stressors at work. It could be a heavy workload, a bully co-worker or a boss. If these people are haggling you and getting on your nerves, there is a good chance that they’re going to cause you significant stress.
There are plenty of ways that you can deal with your job-related stress. First and foremost, you should think about the stressor. Is there someone who is harassing or abusing you? If so, you should not put up with it. Report them to the appropriate authorities.
Otherwise, you should do your best to avoid these people. Try getting repositioned to another post. You can also ask to get transferred to a new location.
If that doesn’t work, you may want to consider getting a new job. After all, it isn’t worth risking your health for.
4. Potential Health Problems
There are many people who sit around and worry about their health. They feel ill, so they’re concerned that they might have a serious disease. Many people always believe that it is the worst-case scenario possible.
This may not be the case.
If you’re dealing with stress due to health problems, you should get to the bottom of the problem as quickly as possible. Go ahead and visit the doctor for a checkup. There is a good chance that it is nothing. If there is a problem, finding out as soon as possible is best.
In some cases, the stress has to do with the health of the people you love. There’s a condition called compassion fatigue which has to do with being so tied up with taking care of those around you that it stresses you out. Check out this article for tips on how to overcome compassion fatigue.
5. A Divorce
When it comes down to it, a lot of relationships are not going to last. This might seem depressing, but it’s reality.
There is also a chance that you’re concerned about your relationship. Do you believe that it could be falling apart before your eyes?
Before getting carried away, you should speak with your significant other directly. Ask them how they feel about the relationship and whether or not they’ve considered divorce.
If they say no, you have nothing to worry about. If they say yes, you might be able to take steps to rekindle your relationship and avoid a devastating divorce.
6. Your Automobile
In this day and age, it’s nearly impossible to thrive without owning a vehicle. Unfortunately, there’s some stress that comes along with owning a car. You have to worry about paying for repairs, making your car payments or the worse case scenario, having your car completely break down on you.
Luckily there are plenty of things you can do to avoid car-related stressors.
The first step is to have the automobile inspected. If there are problems, you should go ahead and get them fixed.
It’s also a good idea to sign up for emergency services from AAA or something similar. By doing so, you’ll be able to get a tow or boost whenever you need it.
Finally, you might want to consider investing in a new car versus buying a used one with high mileage. Most new cars come with warranties and you’ll run into far fewer issues with repairs.
7. Personal Safety
Many people stay awake all night long worrying about their safety. Other people are concerned about their safety when walking to and from their vehicle after work.
Suffice to say, your personal safety can be a grave concern, particularly if you live in a more dangerous neighborhood.
The good news is that there are some things you can do to give yourself a little more peace of mind. For one, get some type of protection like a bottle of mace.
You should also think about walking with someone. Installing a security system on your home can help too. By better defending yourself and your family, this stressor won’t seem so concerning after all.
8. Moving
Relocating is something that everyone will be required to do at some point or another. There is absolutely no doubt that moving can be very frustrating and stressful.
The good news is that there are things you can do to make moving a little bit easier. First, understand that you’re not required to shoulder all of the responsibilities. All you have to do is ask for help from family members and friends.
If you really want to avoid moving stress altogether, consider hiring a moving company. Depending on how much you’re moving and the distance, the convenience of having them take care of the heavy lifting far outweighs the costs.
9. Job Loss
A lot of people are going to lose their job at some point in the future. There is no doubt that this is going to be a very stressful experience. Nevertheless, there are some things that you can do to eliminate the impact.
First, you should try to sign up for unemployment benefits. The financial loss is one of the biggest stressors that comes with losing your job. Unemployment can help you get paid until you’re able to find a new job and get back on your feet.
You can also visit your local unemployment office. This agency will be happy to help you find a job. Speak with friends and family members may help too.
The biggest thing to keep in mind is that it’s just a temporary situation. While it’s unpleasant and stressful, you’ll bounce back soon enough.
10. Loneliness
Many people are alone in life. Some people actually like being alone, but many do not.
If you fit into the latter category, loneliness is going to take a toll on your mentally. In fact, it can cause your stress levels to soar higher and higher.
If your biggest stressor in life is loneliness, you need to take steps to solve this problem as quickly as possible. Get out there and start mingling with other people and try your best to form new relationships.
This will do you a lot of good and the friendships that you form can help you eliminate your stress.
A good place to start is through apps like Meetup.com. They have tons of niche get-t0gethers based on hobbies and shared interests. So whether you’re a gamer, movie lover or fitness person, you’ll be able to find a community of people you can relate to.
11. School Work
Many students are dealing with stress related to school. It is a fact that some schools, such as charter, magnet, private, boarding and universities, put a lot of pressure on students to perform up to par. And, this is not to mention the pressure put on the by their parents.
Students who are dealing with chronic stress will oftentimes isolate themselves from others, perform below par and frequently complain of being ill.
School officials and parents must work together to help students deal with high levels of stress. There are several stress management techniques that have proven to reduce stress in all types of environments. These techniques include yoga, meditation, relaxation, deep breathing exercises, aromatherapy, listening to music and exercise.
12. Hunger
Hunger is a very common stress trigger. When your stomach is telling your brain that it is empty, you will be prompted to eat. Many people who are trying to lose weight will experience hunger pains that will not go away until they eat.
While some of these people will immediately to relieve their hunger pains, others will not because they are afraid of breaking their diet. These are the people who get stressed out because they refuse to do what their mind and body is telling them to do.
The key to eliminating stress related to hunger is to eat foods high in fiber and drink more water. This combination will keep your hunger feelings at bay, resulting in less stress.
Goodbye Stressors!
Like we mentioned in the beginning, you can’t completely eliminate all the stressors in your life. But by finding ways to manage the stress will help you live a more fulfilling and relaxing life.
What stressors keep you up at night? Leave a comment below and start a conversation!