Causes of Stress
The phone is ringing off the hook. You’re 45 minutes late for a deadline, and your boss is knocking on your door asking to see how your latest project is going. To say the least, you’re stressed. But fortunately for you, these are all examples of acute stress. They are short term, won’t last longer than your work day, and may actually benefit your health.
However, if your life feels like that every day of the week, you may be experiencing long-term or chronic stress. This type of stress can be dangerous to your health if you do not work to overcome it or figure out healthier ways to cope with its effects on you.
Big stressors include money troubles, job issues, relationship conflicts, and major life changes such as the loss of a loved one. Smaller stressors such as long daily commutes, rushed mornings, and conflicts with colleagues can add up and become just as bad for your health as chronic stress.