  |  You & Stress
Causes of Stress
In reality almost anything can cause stress, and it affects each of us in different ways and to different degrees. A 45 minute drive to work every morning in bumper-to-bumper traffic is usually enough to get even the most placid person a little ruffled. And a mother with two kids may find herself exhausted at the end of the day, while someone else copes quite cheerfully with five.
The best defence against becoming unduly stressed is to keep your body as healthy as possible. If you eat right, exercise regularly, drink plenty of water and take time out to relax, you'll be rewarded with better health and an increased resistance to stress. What you'll find below is a list of common stress factors and a few ideas on how to overcome them. Some of these may suit you, others may not. But all it requires is a little self-understanding which, without a doubt, is the first step in reducing stress. Inner stress factors Personality People with low self esteem or little confidence are more prone to stress than people with a positive self-opinion. Attitudes to life are personality factors. Physical factors Unhealthy eating habits, drinking and smoking, lack of physical activity and sleep do not in themselves directly lead to stress. But over time, they can reduce the body's energy reserves and, as a result, its ability to combat stress. External stress factors Social factors These are your own particular circumstances. Your background, family, friends, education, career, future expectations, etc. are among the factors which can cause stress. Incidents Events such as exams, business setbacks, death, illness, car accidents, family problems and retirement are among the many factors which can put extreme pressure on an individual. Life events which induce severe stress The following list is rated on a basis of 5 000 patients:
(Source: "Vitamins. A very short introduction" by Martin Suter.)
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