Stress is the body’s reaction to change and is a normal part of our life. Stress may be the result of changes in your relationships, finances, school, health, career, and family. There are many different types of stressors that can affect us and everyone experiences stress differently. Enduring chronic day-to-day stress can have a negative impact on health and wellness. For instance, it can cause digestive issues, inflammation, a weakened immune system, poor sleep, anxiety, and sexual health issues. It’s important to be aware of when you become overstressed so that you can manage it appropriately. In addition to daily stressors, there are life events that can cause significant stress. Here are the top 5 most stressful life events and some tips on how to cope with each. At the top of this list is the unexpected or expected death of a loved one. Everyone is affected by bereavement differently but a common experience is feeling many different emotions. These can include confusion, shock, sadness, numbness, anger, and even guilt. All of these feelings are valid.
Because the change is so significant to your life, it can be difficult to process what happened and to face a reality without this person. During the grieving process, the most important thing to understand is that there is no right or wrong way to feel about your loved one’s death. The time it takes to heal differs from person to person. There is no standard way to grieve. Some tips to help cope with your loss:
Divorce or separation from a spouse can cause major stress in your life. Although the decision to end the relationship could be mutual, both partners still need to deal with a host of issues while they move forward separately. In addition to the emotional and mental stress, there are legal considerations that need to be determined such as child custody, finances, assets, and living situations. Some tips to cope with a divorce or separation:
Whether it is for a new job, a change in relationship or downsizing, moving can be quite a stressful event. If the move is unexpected such as needing to leave your home because of a fire or financial struggles, it can be incredibly devastating.
Moving involves practical and logistical factors such as packing, unpacking, adjusting to a different community, and navigating the new locations of services. Even if you’re not moving very far, the emotional and mental impact can affect you, especially if you’ve lived in your place for a long time. Some tips to cope with a move:
Illness and stress have a symbiotic relationship. If you experience chronic stress, your immune system is weakened and you become more susceptible to illness. Stress has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis.
When you’re suffering from a long-term health condition, it can cause stress to you and those who care about you. Managing a chronic illness or injury can increase your financial burden and reduce your ability to participate in certain activities. Some tips to cope with illness:
Losing your job is emotionally stressful as it can bring up feelings such as shame, grief, disappointment, and guilt and trigger self-defeating thoughts. In addition to the negative impact on your self-esteem, you have to worry about your finances and finding a new job. Your daily routine has changed abruptly and it can be difficult to adjust, especially if you’ve been at your job for a long time. Some tips to cope with job loss:
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