What Caused Stress ?

We are all sensitive to various stressors. There is no specified standard to be applied in predicting an individual's response to stressors, and it is a very subjective response.

The extent to which we experience stress in our lives depends on individual factors such as our physical health, the quality of our interpersonal relationships, self-image, our resilience, coping mechanisms, education and training, thinking habits, the number of commitments and responsibilities we carry, level dependence upon others and expectations of us, the amount of support we have received from others, and the number of changes or traumatic events that recently happened in our lives.

Some general guidelines, however, can be used as a benchmark to identify specific high-risk groups. People with social support networks tend to cope better with stress and have better mental health than those who try to do everything yourself. People who are not well nourished tend to cope poorly with stress, as well as those who are sleep deprived, those who live the lifestyle, or who have an existing illness.

Particularly high levels of stress associated with a particular age group or stage of life. Children, teens, working parents (especially working mothers), and senior retirees have certain stress triggers associated with the transition period of life or lifestyle demands.

According to the Social Adjustment Rating Scale (Holmes & Holmes, 1970), the level of impact of stressful events, the five most stressful experiences are as follows:

Death of a spouse
Divorce
Marital separation
Prison
Death of a close family member
Injury or illness
Wedding
Fired at work
Marriage Reconciliation
Resignation