Causes of Chronic Stress
What is Chronic Stress?
Chronic stress is very much what it sounds like – a prolonged experience of feeling “stressed out”. It can happen through having a life that constantly feels stressful, or even a single event that we cannot seem to let go of. Chronic stress is the result of our body getting stuck in a state of stress, and it can have serious consequences to your health.
Most Common Causes of Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can be caused by illness, anxiety over financial matters, social crises, or emotional instability. Almost anything that causes physical or emotional pain can produce a stress response. If the source of stress is not resolved, chronic stress can result. Chronic stress can cause weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness and mental exhaustion.
Events that Can Cause Chronic Stress:
- Death of your spouse, family member or friend
- Divorce or marital separation
- Personal injury or illness
- Marriage
- Losing your job
- Retirement
- Drastic change in the health of a family member
- Pregnancy
- Sexual dysfunction
- Birth of a child
- Change in business status
- Change in financial status
Source: Holmes T.H., Rahe R.H. “The Social Readjustment Rating Scale” J. Psychosom. Res. 11 (2): 213–8, 1967
What to Do About Chronic Stress
The good news is that people can and do get out of the stress cycle and go on to live much happier lives.
If you feel you are experiencing chronic stress, it is very important to find ways to calm your mind and body so that you can recover. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible, and start bettering your life experience through self-care and mindfulness techniques.
Stress Less Workshops Can Help
At Stress Less Workshops, we teach a set of Life Skills that help you change your response to stressful situations, allowing you to stay in a calm and restful state of mind no matter what is going on around you. Our workshops have been proven to help reduce the negative effects of stress on the lives of our clients. Try a Stress Less Workshop today.