Causes of Stress

We all find different things stressful - no two people are exactly the same. What might feel like tremendous pressure and very stressful to one person might seem an exciting challenge to another.

Some stress is caused by people or things outside our control; we also create some of our own stress. For example, someone who is a perfectionist about everything may well find life more stressful than someone who believes that sometimes ‘good enough’ is okay.

It is important to try to identify how much of your stress is caused by your own beliefs or conditioning and how much comes from external sources. Once you have a clearer idea about what are the sources of stress for you, you can start taking action, but there is little point in taking action about the wrong things!

Where to go for Help or Advice

For example you could feel under pressure at work, and blame the organisation for your feelings of stress. However, you may also believe that it is wrong to say ‘no’, so you take on any additional work that is given to you.

Being clearer about your role in controlling stress would help you to plan an effective strategy and also reduce your feelings of anger and frustration with the organisation.

"We all find different things stressful no two people are exactly the same"

The Body's Response to Stress

When we feel threatened, the body’s natural defensive mechanisms go into action - the ‘stress response’ - releasing hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. These are designed to help us to cope with immediate physical threat.

Stress-inducing situations at work (such as proposals for job change, or deadlines and targets which seem impossible to meet) may continue over long periods, and it may not be possible to deal with them. In these circumstances, the body may well continue to produce stress hormones, which can result in a variety of mental, physical and emotional symptoms.