Question

List and define three sources of stress

Answer 1

Stress is normal and, to some extent, a necessary part of life. Despite it being something everyone experiences, what causes stress can differ from person to person. some of the sources of stress are

(a) Financial problems

(b) Work

(c) Personal relationships

(d) Parenting

(e) Daily life and business

(f) Personality and resources

(a) Financial problems:

Signs of financial stress may include:

• Worrying and feeling anxious about money
• Arguing with loved ones about money
• Feeling guilty about spending money on non-essentials
• Being afraid to open mail or answer the phone

Financial stress can take months or years to dig out from. In the long-term, stress related to finances results in distress, which may bring up blood pressure and cause headaches, upset stomach, chest pain, insomnia, and a general feeling of sickness. Financial stress has also been linked to a number of health problems, including depression, anxiety, skin problems, diabetes, and arthritis.

(b) Work:

Any number of things can contribute to job stress including too much work, job insecurity, dissatisfaction with a job or career, and conflicts with a boss and/or coworkers. Whether you are worried about a specific project or feeling unfairly treated, putting your job ahead of everything else can affect many aspects of your life, including personal relationships and mental and physical health.

Factors outside of the job itself also have a role in work stress, including a person’s psychological make-up, general health, personal life. and the amount of emotional support they have outside of work.

The signs of work-related stress can be physical and psychological, including:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle tension and pain
• Stomach problems
• Heart palpitations
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions³

Some people may feel overwhelmed and struggle to cope, which can impact their behavior as well. Job stress may prompt individuals to have:

• Increased sick days
• Drops in work performance
• Problems with personal relationships
• Diminished creativity and initiative
• Lower levels of patience and increased levels of frustration
• Disinterest
• Isolation

(c) Personal relationships:

There are people in all of our lives that cause us stress. It could be a family member, an intimate partner, friend, or coworker. Toxic people lurk in all parts of our lives and the stress we experience from these relationships can affect physical and mental health.

There are numerous causes of stress in romantic relationships and when couples are constantly under pressure, the relationship could be on the risk of failure.

Common relationship stressors include:

• Being too busy to spend time with each other and share responsibilities
• Intimacy and sex are become rare due to business, health problems, and any number of other reasons
• You and your partner are not communicating
• You and/or partner are consuming too much alcohol and/or using drugs
• You or your partner are thinking about divorce
• There is abuse or control in the relationship

The signs of stress related to personal relationships are similar to normal symptoms of general stress and may include physical health and sleep problems, depression, and anxiety. You may also find yourself avoiding or having conflict with the individual, or becoming easily irritated by their presence.