What are some of the causes of stress?

Practically everything can cause stress, depending on the situation and your ability to handle it. But these are some of the most common factors that generate stress:

Employment and workplace: Deadlines, demanding bosses, complicated colleagues, office policies, even harassment and discrimination in the workplace, all this can keep you awake at night, worried and afraid. Your job is an important part of your daily life. When things are not right, stress at work can increase. On the other hand, if you are unemployed, stress factors can be linked to loss of income and basic needs, such as food and housing.

Money and finances: Imminent invoices, credit card debt, debt collectors, identity theft and fraud, even the act of checking the balance of your savings account, all this can cause stress. For most people, money is a necessity. Some people have difficulty making ends meet and others are unemployed or underemployed. Concerns may arise about how to buy food, pay the electricity bill, pay the doctor’s bill and pay the rent or mortgage. The effects of stress can make it even more difficult to survive.

Disasters and traumas: Natural or man-made disasters and traumatic events can have great impacts on a person’s life. Tornadoes, forest fires, hurricanes and floods can cause the loss of lives, homes and communities. This kind of stress can be overwhelming. The stress of traumatic events, such as being a victim of an attack or being involved in a serious accident, can also generate stress and deep and lasting health problems.

Relationships and family: Children, divorce, separation, loneliness and even the responsibility of taking care of a family can generate stress. For people who have to cope with the death of a loved one, face an illness or act as caregivers of a sick family member or older adult, stress also plays an important role in health and well-being.