Q: What are the 3 causes of stress?

The three primary causes of stress include: <ol><li>Work-related stress. According to the <a href="https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Institute of Stress</a>, workplace stress is the top cause of stress for adults in the U.S. Work stressors include being unhappy at work, heavy workload, long working hours, low pay, and discrimination or harassment at work.</li><li>Traumatic events and significant life changes. Life changes, whether good or bad, is also another cause of stress. An example of a positive life event that can cause stress is a sudden acquisition of wealth, which throws you into a different lifestyle you may not be prepared for. Adverse events that can result in stress are chronic illnesses, loss of a job, death of a loved one, and catastrophic events.</li><li>Emotional problems coming from within. The third types of stressors are those that come from within. They include prolonged low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Stress can also stem from personal fears, a negative attitude, and unmet expectations.</li></ol>

Question 1

How does stress affect you emotionally?

Accepted Answer

Stress can impact a person emotionally by inducing fear, sadness, frustration, anger, anxiety, sadness, or depression. While all other emotional effects of stress can be adverse, stress frequently manifests with depressive episodes and/or periods of increased anxiety.

Anxiety involves feelings of extreme fear and withdrawal from social environments. It's estimated that 264 million people live with depression, which also happens to be the main cause of disability in people between ages 15 and 44. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America defines depression as a state where "manifestations of low mood are much more severe, and tend to persist". Depression can manifest as fatigue, anger, irritability, eating disorders, anxiety, or even substance abuse. Therefore, stress can affect you emotionally by inducing depression or anxiety.

Question 2

How can I relieve stress and tension?

Accepted Answer

According to the American Institute of Stress, there is no universal way to relieve stress and tension. However, here are some ways that may help to reduce stress:

Exercise. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that besides other coping mechanisms like sleeping and socializing, most health professionals recommend exercises such as walking and running to relieve stress.
Mindfulness. Relaxation treatments such as deep breathing, massage therapies, yoga, prayer, and meditation are common remedies to help ease stress.
Aromatherapy. Research suggests essential oils may help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Emotional support. A 2015 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that people with emotional support were less stressed than those without emotional support.
Nutritional supplements. Research suggests that mineral and vitamin supplements, especially those with high vitamin B levels, may help to lower perceived stress
Engaging in leisure activities. The Pittsburgh Enjoyable Activities Test (PEAT) found that enjoyable leisure, defined as "hobbies, sports, and socializing, or spending time in nature", was linked to better lower stress levels.

Question 3

What are the 3 causes of stress?

Accepted Answer

The three primary causes of stress include:

Work-related stress. According to the American Institute of Stress, workplace stress is the top cause of stress for adults in the U.S. Work stressors include being unhappy at work, heavy workload, long working hours, low pay, and discrimination or harassment at work.
Traumatic events and significant life changes. Life changes, whether good or bad, is also another cause of stress. An example of a positive life event that can cause stress is a sudden acquisition of wealth, which throws you into a different lifestyle you may not be prepared for. Adverse events that can result in stress are chronic illnesses, loss of a job, death of a loved one, and catastrophic events.
Emotional problems coming from within. The third types of stressors are those that come from within. They include prolonged low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Stress can also stem from personal fears, a negative attitude, and unmet expectations.

Question 4

What are 5 emotional signs of stress?

Accepted Answer

The five emotional signs of stress are:

Anxiety. You have extreme worry, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, panic attacks, displaying withdrawal symptoms, among others.
Depression. Research suggests that stress plays an important role in depression. How you handle stress, however, determines whether it could trigger depression. Factors such as genetics and biology also determine the extent of depression after a stressful event.
Anger, mood swings, and irritability. While occasional mood swings are normal, they can indicate an underlying disease when they are extreme and interfere with daily norms. Mood swings can include periods of intense anger, irritability, sadness, or withdrawal.
Memory and concentration problems. If you are having trouble remembering things, stress could be the cause. A study examining the effects of stress-response pathways in the brain and long-term memory showed hormones produced after a stressful event impaired memory.
Addictive/compulsive behavior. Research investigating the effect of chronic stress on drug use and addiction concluded stress levels in the brain promote addictive behaviors.

Question 5

What are the common signs of stress?

Accepted Answer

Stress manifests differently for every person, however, some of the common signs of stress may include:

Emotional changes like sadness, withdrawal from people, anger and irritability, worry, forgetfulness, sleep disorders, and anxiety.
Digestive system problems such as stomach pains, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and loss of appetite, or overeating.
Reproductive system issues. These include erectile dysfunction, missed periods, infertility, and low sexual drive.
Respiratory problems like having trouble breathing and chest pains.
Circulatory system problems such as high blood pressure and increased heart rate.
Other symptoms like headaches, tense muscles, sleeplessness, low sexual drive, and lowered immunity.

Question 6

How does stress affect your body?

Accepted Answer

Stress affects the body by first triggering it to release hormones adrenaline and cortisol (the primary stress hormone). These hormones are useful to some extent as they can help you stay focused and alert, increasing productivity. At higher levels of stress, cortisol causes body stress.

You can then experience:

Frequent headaches
Sleeplessness
Low productivity at work
Muscle pain or tension
Chest pains
Breathing problems
Fatigue
Stomach upset (diarrhea, constipation), and
Changes in sex drive.

You could even start to:

Lose weight or gain excess weight
Develop skin conditions such as eczema
Suffer autoimmune diseases
Have problems with your reproductive system.

How does stress affect you emotionally?

Related questions about stress

Life is complicated. Finding a therapist shouldn’t be.

Newsletter signup

Get inspiration straight to your inbox.